Cadillac to Retain Manual Transmissions for V-Series
As we just covered yesterday, the V-Series application to the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 models will don intermediary performance models, similar to the former V-Sport line. The Blackwing nomenclature will designate top-performing models, redefining what the letter V really means to a Cadillac.
During the reveal of the 2020 CT4-V and CT5-V sedans, General Motors President Mark Reuss said, “Cadillac will make manuals in V-Series.” With four V-Series models across the two sedans, which are the likely candidates to receive three pedals?
The CT4-V and CT5-V specifications have already been provided by Cadillac and neither included a manual transmission. The CT4-V, with 320 horsepower and 369 ft-lbs coming from its 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, will only offer the 10-speed 10L60 Hydra-Matic transmission. Likewise, the CT5-V will use the 10-speed to route the 355 hp and 400 ft-lbs from its 3.0L twin-turbo V6. Whenever I say or write “10-speed” my mind automatically associates it with a bicycle. But, I digress…
As reported by Muscle Cars and Trucks, it will only be the Blackwing models that receive the row-your-own option. While we can all applaud the availability, we cannot assume that both CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings will receive the manual transmissions. Mark Reuss only said that there would be manuals “in V-Series.” The two applications could require two different transmissions, depending on the engine selections for the Blackwings.
The last-generation CTS-V, with its 640 hp supercharged V8, was only available with an automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the smaller ATS-V, making 464 hp from its twin-turbo V6, was the sole model that received the 6-speed manual. The CTS-V would have required a higher torque-capacity transmission to be developed, which would have required significant development funds. In all likelihood, there is some correlation between selling price and take-rate of manual transmissions which exceeded the cost/benefit justification to provide one for the CTS-V.
In my prediction, I anticipate that the CT4-V Blackwing will be the only Cadillac offered with a manual transmission. But I dearly hope that it is backing it up a twin-turbo V6, rather than a 4-cylinder.
If the CT5-V Blackwing retains a twin-turbo V6, then maybe there is hope that it will be paired with a manual, but this would be offset by lamenting the loss of the two cylinders. If it receives the V8 we expect (maybe the actual Blackwing engine?), I fear there is a minuscule chance that Cadillac will bring it to market with a manual.
[Images: Cadillac]
Following 10 years in Toyota's Production Engineering division, Anthony spent 3 years as a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer for FCA. From modest beginnings in autocross, he won a NASA SpecE30 National Championship and was the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge TC Rookie of the Year. Aside from being a professional racecar driver, he is a private driving coach and future karaoke champion.
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Uh, why don't they just put a Corvette engine in the top Cadillac? Or is this a case of GM really believing they make the best vehicles on the planet and the Germans and Japanese have never, ever made a V-8 vehicle?
I'm grateful Cad has this option at all. BMW took it away from the M5 and now it's just a straight line missile, a la mid-2000s Mercedes AMG but with a lot of electronic crutches designed to let it pretend it's not really a two-ton autobahn rocket. Lexus and Genesis/Hyundai have nothing in their lineups to compete with them. Chrysler would if only the Hellcat engine were available in the 300. Lincoln only caters to SUV buyers and is disqualified just by not having a dedicated RWD sedan. If it works reasonably well, what do you care if the LT4 is a Chevrolet engine?