Will The Next-Gen Cadillac CT5 Blackwing Keep The Manual and V8 Combo?
Cadillac announced last year that it would retire the current generation of the CT5 luxury sedan, including the high-performance CT5-V Blackwing, after the 2026 model year.
While the standard CT5 has already been confirmed to return for a next generation, the fate of its track-focused super sedans remained unconfirmed. However, a new report from GM Authority indicates that the soul of the brand's performance division will live on.
The report claims that General Motors is already deep into planning a direct successor to the CT5-V Blackwing as part of the next-generation CT5 lineup. Still, though, the company has not officially announced whether the future portfolio will feature high-performance V-Series or Blackwing iterations.
Tech specs for the next-gen CT5-V Blackwing are not known, meaning the biggest questions will be about its powertrain configuration, the availability of a manual transmission, and its official launch. Historically, Cadillac has introduced its top-shelf V-Series and Blackwing performance variants months after showing the mainstream, volume-selling versions of its luxury sedans.
The current-generation CT5-V Blackwing is a unique and much-loved offering in the modern executive sedan landscape, pairing a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque with rear-wheel drive and an available six-speed manual gearbox. While keeping this traditional enthusiast arrangement would keep with the car's heritage, future emissions mandates could influence General Motors to take the next-generation model in a different direction.
The car is a unique offering in the sedan space—you can bet if GM runs the V8 manual playbook back, the buyers will come. There's literally nothing else like it.
What is known is that the next-generation CT5 lineup will transition to an updated version of the company's Alpha 2 rear-wheel-drive architecture. General Motors is also reportedly developing a next-generation Chevrolet Camaro that will share this updated rear-drive platform.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, went over the wall during the Rolex 24, and wrenched in the intense IndyCar paddock.
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