Here's What You Need to Know About Cadillac's Blackwing

Originally the name for Cadillac's first twin-turbo V8, Blackwing is now the moniker for the brand's two highest-performing sedans.

Connor Hoffman | 

Jan 4, 2024 | 3 min read

Cadillac

Cadillac originally coined the Blackwing name for its brand-exclusive twin-turbocharged V8 engine used in the CT6 sedan from 2018 to 2020. Now, the Blackwing name is reserved for the final two gas-powered Cadillac V-Series sedans: the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing.

Neither of these high-performance sedans, however, use the Blackwing twin-turbo V8. Rather, they bring an end to Cadillac's internal combustion era with powerful engines, standard-issue manual transmissions, and tire-smoking rear-wheel drive.

Cadillac

The Blackwing Name Was Inspired by Detroit History

Cadillac unveiled the Blackwing twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, but the engine wasn't named until a few months later. "Blackwing" is derived from the black ducks found on the coat of arms of the original founder of Detroit, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Production of the Blackwing engine was limited to 275 units for the first year of production, and they sold out instantly.

In the CT6-V, the boosted V8 made 550 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. In 2021, Cadillac unveiled the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwings, replacing the existing CT4-V and CT5-V models at the top of the V-Series lineup, even though the new Blackwings don't use the original Blackwing V8 engine.

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Cadillac CT6 Platinum and CT6-V

Available from 2019 to 2020, the Cadillac CT6 Platinum and CT6-V were the only cars ever available with Cadillac's Blackwing twin-turbo V8 engine, which made 500 horsepower in the CT6 Platinum and 550 horses in the CT6-V. Only a 10-speed automatic and all-wheel drive combo was available on these two sedans, and pricing started at $97,000 for the CT6-V, which came available with General Motors' Super Cruise hands-free driving technology for its final year of production.

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Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is essentially an evolution of the ATS-V that came before it. Powered by a 472-hp twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6, the CT4-V Blackwing is the top-of-the-line subcompact Cadillac sedan. The CT4-V Blackwing starts at around $63,000 and comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission — although a 10-speed auto is available — magnetorheological dampers, and an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. Pricing for the automatic starts at $66,000.

Cadillac

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Cadillac is competing with German super sedans such as the Mercedes-AMG E63 S and BMW M5 with the CT5-V Blackwing. But the Caddy offers something the Europeans don't: a hand-built supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque that sends all its power to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual.

Dubbed the LT4, the CT5-V Blackwing's engine is built by a single technician alongside Chevrolet Corvettes at GM's Bowling Green, Kentucky, assembly facility. As with the CTV-4 Blackwing, a 10-speed automatic gearbox is available for an upcharge. The CT5-V Blackwing is the most powerful Cadillac sedan ever and starts at $93,000 for the manual and $97,000 for the automatic.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Connor Hoffman

Connor Hoffman is a writer and editor based in Kansas City. Prior to becoming a freelance writer, he was an editor at a national car magazine and worked in communications at a major automaker. He loves off-roading and camping in his 4Runner, golfing (poorly), and shredding on his mountain bike.