Hotter Cadillac CT5-V Spotted With Manual Transmission

Cadillac’s CT5-V debuted so far away from its predecessor that you have to wonder what the brand’s marketing team was thinking. Whereas the CTS-V represented a monumental jump in performance over the CTS, its modern-day replacement barely offers more than the Premium Luxury trim with an upgraded engine option.

Stepping out of the CT5 and into V territory is only slightly more meaningful than purchasing an appearance package. The turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 is tuned to make an extra 25 horses in the CT5-V, offering a grand total of 360 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The brand has clearly tried to soften its V-badged models for broader appeal, but enthusiasts cried foul. This wasn’t because Cadillac had built a cheaper, softer sedan but due its overt use of the performance emblem. There’s not enough distance between a V6-equipped Premium Luxury model and the base CT5-V for it to seem truly special.

Don’t be disappointed if you were considering one. General Motors has promised that completely insane performance Cadillacs are still to come. While the presumed Blackwing variants appear to have been scrapped, CT5 test mules have been spotted running mystery V8s in the past and new rumors have all but confirmed a variant with a manual transmission.

Photos recently leaked to The Drive show the model with a manual gear selector jutting out from between the front seats. The outlet suggested the item may have been ripped directly from the Camaro (which also rides on the Alpha 2 platform) and surmised that Cadillac would probably send the supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 on one last mission. With promises of the smaller Blackwing still fresh in our minds, it seems odd GM would go back to the same engine that made the old CTS-V such a brute. Still, there’s no obvious alternative, leaving little reason for us to presume (or complain about) anything different — especially with Blackwing nixed.

When questioned, Cadillac said ultra-performance variants of the V-Series are still in development and the company cannot confirm or deny anything. Basically, it’s supposed to be a big surprise and the automaker doesn’t want it ruined before any official announcements can be made. The Drive’s grainy images also show the more hardcore CT5-V with a unique steering wheel, rejiggered Corvette seats and some exterior enhancements (e.g. rear diffuser) to indicate it’s not to be taken lightly. It also shows that Cadillac is aiming substantially higher with this model than it did with the standard V.

Additional details should drop in the coming months as the industry attempts to reschedule debuts slated for the now-delayed New York Auto Show. While that could push an official announcement back to August, we’re under the impression that GM still plans to let the important information loose in April.

[Images: General Motors]