Cadillac unveils seriously sporty CT4 and CT5 V-Series Blackwings
Cadillac has taken the wraps off its most powerful car to date, as well as its baby brother
Cadillac has taken the wraps off its CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing sedans. The design is heavily influenced by the company’s racing heritage and hails the next step for its high-performance V-Series.
By way of quick introduction: the CT5-V Blackwing is the more powerful of the two cars and the most powerful Cadillac ever, featuring a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine that produces 668hp – 191hp more than the 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6 engine in the CT5-V Blackwing. Both have been engineered to take on the racetrack, though the CT5 has that extra bit of hot sauce.
The CT4 and CT5 appear very tidy from an initial glance; the shapes and proportions illustrate are restrained, but there is an air of confidence in the execution.
The eyes are immediately drawn to the grooves on the bonnet, which sweep from out to in. These have been meticulously sculpted in the wind tunnel to ensure optimum aerodynamic performance, as has the entire vehicle. But, along with the protruding wheel arches, they also add to the sense of width and therefore the aggressive stance – a recurring theme.
Gallery: CT4-V Blackwing
Speaking to Car Design News, Brian Smith, exterior design director at Cadillac, describes the key elements of the vehicle from the outside. ”The CT5 has wide fenders and a unique front fascia with new grille textures, splitters, rocker extensions and fender vents. And then there is the rear diffuser and underbody panels that reduce drag and improve aero performance. All these elements combine to make an aggressive package to meet all the expectations of a Cadillac customer.”
Other integral details include the various air intakes that are dotted about here and there, and, of course, the lights. At the front, the main lamps are flanked by boomerang LEDs that again emphasise the wheel arches. The rear lamps have the same shape and perform the same job for the rear wheel arches. It’s all very sporty; suggestive of speed and power.
The lights are also a clear differentiator when it comes to the design of the CT4 and CT5. On the former, the main lamps and daytime running light LED strips are together as one large unit, but on the CT5, the LED strip is dissected by a strip of body work. The tidier, seamless CT4 design takes the spoils in this particular duel.
Gallery: CT5-V Blackwing
The sporty feel continues on the inside of both cars, although the CT5 is slightly more refined and luxurious. And while the carbon-fibre trimmings, chunky steering wheels and general cockpit layout provides the sportiness, there is also a distinct sense of intricacy to the interior finish of both cars. Crystal Windham, director of design for Cadillac Interiors, offers her perspective:
”Technology has allowed us to evolve quickly. The 12-inch cluster display in conjunction with the centre stack display and other key components are laid out ergonomically for a driver-centric experience. When it comes to the overall styling, more simplicity in our design approach with the surfaces and proportions allow us to include some beautiful details, such as the tailored stitching throughout the doors and seats.”
It is clear that the exterior and interior teams at Cadillac had a well-defined vision of the models as they set about designing the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. They may not be the most flashy or audacious sedans on the market, but our first impression of the two models is one of assured poise, reflecting the talent that Cadillac designers are currently bringing to the table.