Cadillac to Expand V-Series Performance Lineup, Blackwing
As much as we like to chide domestic automakers for abandoning traditional cars for the juicier margins of crossover vehicles, they haven’t done away with them entirely. Cadillac even went so far as to introduce Blackwing variants of the CT4-V and the CT5-V in 2021, something many claimed was necessary after the V-Series lost some of its mightiness when the new models arrived. Apparently, General Motors wants its luxury division to keep it up with the Blackwing models while it continues to expand the V-Series lineup.
If you’ve driven the old ATS-V, you know that the CT4-V doesn’t really stack up around the corners or in a straight line. The newer Caddy is more about keeping pace with perceived European rivals while the older one was about making them all your bitch. Prices reflect this, so Cadillac’s biggest crime here is diluting the V-Series name. While it still denotes an uptick in performance, it’s no longer the kind of jump that totally transforms a vehicle — hence the need for the hardcore Blackwing line.
This is where we get slightly worried. If Cadillac starts throwing the V-Series around too liberally, it’s going to lose all meaning. Fortunately, the brand seems to understand that it’s already walking a tightrope when it comes to performance designations.
“Blackwing is reserved for really the pinnacle, the purest expression of performance, track capability, and that’s what it’s going to stand for going forward,” said Roma. “[The CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blacking] won’t be the last Blackwing cars that we do, but you won’t see one on every vehicle. It’s not appropriate. I couldn’t imagine doing an Escalade-V Blackwing. Maybe we’d do an SUV, maybe we’d do an Escalade-V, who knows.”
Cadillac is already supposed to be developing an amped-up Escalade with the same supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 that’s supposed to go into the CT5-V Blackwing. We think GM would be wise to make it part of the V-Series family, as it would showcase that the name does indeed denote enhanced performance. But sticking a Blackwing badge on something that’s pushing three tons and has trouble holding 0.6 Gs of lateral acceleration would only diminish the title.
But what should be the next Blackwing model? The luxury brand has already given its road-hugging vehicles the full treatment, leaving us with a slew of crossover vehicles to choose from. Perhaps the name won’t see much expansion until Cadillac has started its electric vehicle offensive in earnest. We can’t really say, but imagine the world will see a V attached to the tailgate of models like the XT4 and Escalade in the coming years. In fact, we’ve heard rumors that GM is whipping up something speedier for the Chinese market and think it could be an XT6-V. But nobody has been able to confirm anything more than there being numerous models under consideration for future performance applications.
[Images: General Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Cadillac is chasing BMW, when they really should be chasing Tesla. ...And they've had over 10 years to figure this out, too. Whelp, not my problem.
"This is where we get slightly worried. If Cadillac starts throwing the V-Series around too liberally, it’s going to lose all meaning." You mean like, eh, Cadillac?