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Light, lean, straightforward to park, straightforward to pay for. Given a selection between a smaller or bigger “version” of a automotive, I’ll virtually all the time take the little man for a wide range of causes that don’t have anything to do with my 97th percentile top.
Such is the case with the cute-to-drive Cadillac CT4-V Blackwingwho suffers from some inside technical issues, however is basically overshadowed in automotive nerdy conversations by his complete world older brother, CT5-V Blackwing, As it seems 668 horsepower is not actually wanted to have a superb time.

With a 472-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 engine driving the rear wheels, and a supply-as-you-like MagneRide 4.0 suspension, the Baby Blackwing is a dwell factor on one of the best again roads and a quiet Travel companion. , Unlike the actually furry CT5 Blackwing, that makes the smaller efficiency sedan a greater match for many fanatic drivers, more often than not.
now, different Motor1.com The editors didn’t fully agree with my evaluation of us 4 vs 5 comparison test earlier this year Or in his driving notes under. But suffice it to say, there’s at the least one fascinating less-than-case case to be made contained in the Blackwing household.
Table of Contents
Brett T. Evans, Senior Editor
- Favorite Thing: Flingable compact-sedan enjoyable
- Least Favorite Thing: Dyson-Spec Exhaust Note
Squirt a bit and it is not laborious to see the previous Cadillac ATS Sedan Peeking out from beneath the CT4’s veneer. Given the agile efficiency and trim styling of the previous compact sedan, that is not a nasty factor – particularly within the case of the top-dog CT4-V Blackwing. Featuring an up to date model of the previous ATS-V’s twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 And with a brand new 10-speed automated transmission, the Blackwing is quick as hell.
Unfortunately, it would not sound as spectacular because it drives. Like the ATS-V, the CT4-V Blackwing emits a uninteresting, throbbing noise from its twin exhaust suggestions in most driving conditions. No matter what mode Active Exhaust is about to, the Blackwing would not encourage a lot emotion in regular driving, barely reducing the sedan’s on a regular basis enjoyable quotient. Open the throttle ahead a bit and you may ultimately be greeted with a number of chopsaw snarls as soon as the tachometer needle strikes previous 4,500 rpm, however for those who’re driving round city, the CT4 sounds one of the best.

However, there’s a vibrant aspect. Once you get previous the exhaust noise a bit extra enjoyable, you’ll preserve the occasion going for unbelievable dealing with dynamics. The previous ATS was already the smallest automotive in its class, and because of phase creep, the CT4-V Blackwing feels positively Lilliputian, paying large dividends within the speedy transition. Caddy adjustments path much more aggressively than comparable sized Mercedes-AMG CLA 45Rewarding expert drivers with glorious stability and serving to novices construct confidence by means of flat dealing with and robust grip.
The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing additionally appears distinctive. The sport sedans have mature, long-hood proportions that the front-drive-based CLA can solely dream of, although for those who insist on boy-racer styling, there are many non-compulsory carbon fiber accents you may add. can. The inside is decently appointed, although reminiscences of your grandma’s 2015 Impala sometimes creep in by means of the radio and local weather management buttons. If you are capable of forgive that minor snafu, the CT4-V Blackwing is a good instance of Cadillac’s dedication to dynamic, well-sorted sport sedans.
Clint Simone, Director of Video
- Favorite Thing: Extraordinary driving characters
- Least Favorite Thing: Living in a Shade
Our Blackwing week was the most effective I’ve ever had on this loopy job. We sampled each Cadillac’s tremendous sedans, the CT4 and CT5-V Blackwing, on the similar time to kind out the variations between the 2.
I spent the primary half of the week solely with the CT4, which turned out to be nice in the long run. The automotive media was raving in regards to the automotive’s large brother, however I had heard little or no in regards to the CT4-V Blackwing earlier than driving it. The factor that caught out to me essentially the most was the general reachability of the automotive. In each state of affairs, the CT4 was straightforward to handle and confirmed crazy-high limits – excess of anybody may contact on a public avenue.

With 472 horsepower to flaunt, the Blackwing was holy sh*t quick. Twin turbos have made their presence felt in a dramatic vogue, pushing driver and passenger alike into ample sport seats. Brett’s proper: Noise could possibly be rather a lot higher, however it’s nonetheless gritty sufficient to be enjoyable.
Other components of the automotive, corresponding to its subtle magnetic experience controls and superbly tuned steering, have been high tier for a sports activities sedan. As a complete package deal, the CT4 felt properly sorted as a BMW M3 Competitionor a Mercedes-AMG C63, But sadly, I believe lots of people will ignore it for a giant motive.

After driving the (very extremely priced) CT5, it was laborious to look at the CT4 with the identical reward. With that splendidly supercharged V8, it felt like Cadillac Put your complete coronary heart into the CT5, and I’ve a sense it is going to go down as a legend due to it.
It is unfair for the CT4-V Blackwing to make use of this as a criticism as a result of clearly, it did nothing unsuitable. But years on the street it will not be remembered because it ought to, which is a disgrace. The sum of its components is a good sports activities automotive, not a memorable one.
Seth Mirsma, Editor-in-Chief
- Favorite Thing: Suspension Feedback
- Least Favorite Thing: Inner Appeal
I take a lot of the efficiency automobiles I’m testing, to a small loop of roads, north of Ann Arbor, Michigan. I haven’t got the canyon to carve just like the LA workforce, however the Run is a compact strategy to do a number of shakedown miles on enjoyable automobiles just like the CT4 Blackwing. (Plus, there’s little site visitors on weekdays and the aftertaste of french fries… is large.)
The finest a part of this route consists of a form of flat-out straight, 90-degree left-hand aspect, adopted by 4 corners on the high of small hills. The floor additionally varies in locations from pretty clean to damaged asphalt. Overall, your automobile is coping with a variation of major and secondary experience points, accelerated loading and unloading of the suspension, and some nitty-gritty cornering incidents. And a automotive just like the Blackwing is tackling all of them quick.



Cadillac’s MagneRide setup has lengthy supplied an incredible stability between sporty and comfy driving traits, however on such a street the Sport setting will get an actual exercise. Firm damping all the time retains physique motion beneath management – actually the CT4 all the time felt the washboard stiff, even energy from a curvy downhill nook – however compliant sufficient to jiggle on bumpy sections of street with. It’s spectacular, seamless expertise that enhances drivers of all talent ranges.
The mandate for chassis and suspension expertise normally contains being considerably hidden from the driving force, however virtually the other is true of expertise seen within the cabin. And whereas Cadillac excels within the former, it stumbles with the latter.


To put it bluntly, the Blackwing has disappointing in-cabin expertise in comparison with its rivals. Most drivers have the whole lot on the infotainment entrance, however there is not a lot they do not know they want however really need.
You solely want to sit down in a comparable bmw, Produceboth mercedes Products to see a dramatic distinction in display screen dimension, intelligent graphics, higher processing energy and higher tactile response. Oh, and it is discounting the nonetheless higher and extra fascinating shapes, supplies, and finishes that encompass the large lovely display screen.
Now, I may argue that the Caddy has all of the expertise I want in a centered sports activities sedan (I can take heed to podcasts and mirror my cellphone display screen, which is all I would like). But that argument has the sound of “the old man screams” in 2022. Cadillac can, and will, do higher to enchantment to a wider vary of automotive patrons.
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