2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Retains S/C V8, Manual Transmission

When asked what my favorite, all-around vehicle currently on sale today is, the answer almost always reverts to the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. It has aggressive, but restrained styling, Cadillac comfort and luxury, a glorious supercharged V8 engine, and even a six-speed manual transmission. Thankfully, it’s sticking around for the 2025 model year.

In a world where performance cars and V8 engines are evaporating faster than spilled Perrier in the Sahara, the CT5-V models still make complete sense. Cadillac has a renewed focus on top-level racing (Le Mans and F1), so offering halo performance cars is a logical business plan.

The entire CT5 lineup has undergone a refresh for the 2025 model year. For the V models, this includes a different grille and front fascia, rocker extensions, as well as the rear spoiler. The headlamps are also new, featuring a different take on Cadillac’s signature stacked headlight design. The model retains a quad tailpipe and will be available in three new colors – Drift Metallic, Deep Space Metallic, and Typhoon Metallic. Finally, as is the trend these days, the CT5-V features what Cadillac calls choregraphed lighting when approaching or departing the vehicle.

The bigger news is inside where the brand’s 33-inch driver information center / infotainment screen combo is now housed. Also new are animations featured on revised HVAC controls. What exactly this means I do not know, but we’ll find out soon enough.

Sticking with the interior, Super Cruise is standard, and the vehicle offers an enhanced data performance recorder as well as a new performance in-vehicle app. With the larger displays from the 33-inch screen, more information from the data recorder can be displayed when lapping a track. Some of the features include a Lap Analyzer Tool, Speed Tips Tool, and Live Data Screen.

Mechanically the CT5-V is unchanged, which means a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 is standard, making 360 horsepower and 405 pound feet of torque. Coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the CT5 can still be had with rear- or all-wheel drive. Other mechanical highlights include launch control, Magnetic Ride Control, and an electronic limited slip rear differential.

The best news for the CT5-V Blackwing is that mechanically, it’s unchanged. Lurking under the hood remains a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, blasting out 668 hp and 659 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac continues to offer a 10-speed automatic transmission as well as a six-speed manual. Who would have guessed that Cadillac would still offer a V8 and manual transmission combo longer than BMW?

Cadillac isn’t just keeping the manual transmission around for street cred either. The brand states over 50% of CT5-V Blackwing models sold feature the six-speed manual transmission. Rounding out the performance upgrades over the regular CT5 are standard Brembo brakes, a standard Performance Traction Management system, and custom launch control with line lock.

Inside and out, the Blackwing receives the same updates mentioned above. Cadillac was able to retain the car’s aero ground effects with the updated fascia front and rear. The Carbon Fiber Package is also updated, including a new splitter.

The CT5-V will make its public debut as the official safety car at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona this week. More details about the car, including pricing, will be available at a later date.

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