Updated 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will pace Daytona 24-hour field
Henry PayneCadillac is going all-electric by the end of the decade with its Celestiq, Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq and Escalade IQ lineup, but gas-fired models aren’t going quietly. The updated, 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing will debut as the pace car for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona sportscar race this weekend.
Hopefully, the field can keep up.
The ferocious, rear-wheel-drive Blackwing puts out a staggering 668 horsepower from its 6.2-liter V-8 engine — or about the same as the pair of Cadillac GTP Hybrid prototypes in the front row behind it.
General Motors Co. has long raced to advance technology in its production cars as well as market performance. The Blackwing’s pushrod V-8 engine is similar to the race car’s 5.5-liter V-8 that is paired with a 50 kW electric motor. In a bit of technology transfer from production to race car, the GTP features the same camera mirror as in the Blackwing. It’s nice to know who’s behind you at 215 mph on Daytona’s high bankings.
“The track is a proving ground that is then applied to production,” said Global Cadillac Vice President John Roth, who said 2024 celebrates the V-Series' 20th anniversary as a competitor to Europe’s performance sedans.
Performance aside, the Blackwing’s biggest upgrades are shared with the Lyriq, Cadillac’s first electric car. The CT5-V Blackwing — and its sister V-series sedan, the CT5-V — upgrade to the same, curved, 33-inch screen that spans the Lyriq’s dash. The screen contains two digital displays for instrumentation and infotainment. The latter is run by Google Built-In for intuitive, smartphone-like commands and graphics. In back, the sedans maintain the same expanded legroom that has given the model a leg up versus tight European competitors.
In addition to interior upgrades, the V-series beasts get new front and rear fascias.
The CT5 lineup has ridden the notoriety of the Blackwing model — which more than holds its own with cyborgs like the BMW M4 — to become the best-selling vehicles in Cadillac’s lineup worldwide. Not bad for a sedan in the SUV age.
"Cadillac sedans continue to drive positive brand momentum, year-over-year," said Roth. "Last year, our sedans experienced their best sales since 2018 and CT5 is Cadillac's best-selling vehicle, globally.”
The Blackwing is the badge’s halo, but for customers that don’t have $95k burning a hole in their pocket, the CT5-V bears similar styling cues (and two less cylinders) for a significant $40k less. A 360-horse, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine exhales through quad, trapezoid exhaust. The engine is mated to a 10-speed transmission and is available in all-wheel-drive as opposed to the more track-focused, rear-wheel-drive Blackwing.
Like Blackwing, CT5-V has an updated version of Caddy’s signature vertical lighting. The sedans gain three new colors: Drift Metallic, Deep Space Metallic, Typhoon Metallic.
The Blackwing’s front fascia update goes further with aero ground effects, including an optional carbon fiber front splitter. For performance junkies, Blackwing also contains launch control, Brembo brakes and an available 6-speed manual transmission.
For those who want to explore the Blackwing’s considerable performance envelope on track, an in-vehicle Performance Data Recorder is embedded in the center display. Its features include:
1) Speed Tips tool, which automatically highlights your best lap, including a sector analysis and side-by-side video playback
2) Automatic summary of the CT5’s configuration ahead of track laps, including tire pressures.
3) Live data with on-track lap time details. Performance gauges read g-forces, tire temps and engine vitals.
4) Head-up display containing lap time details in driver’s line of sight.
5) AliveDrive mobile app for performance analysis off track.
V-series sedans also come standard with GM’s Super Cruise4 driver assistance technology, which includes features like auto lane change on divided highways.
In addition to its pace car duties, the CT5-V Blackwing (and CT5-V) will be on display Saturday and Sunday in the Cadillac midway display at Daytona International Speedway. This summer, they will roll off GM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly into a Caddy dealership near you.
Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.