No matter how often we experience a CT4-V Blackwing, it gets us every time. Credit the crisp manual transmission and resolutely solid brakes. The chassis and steering provide the same level of feedback as a co-driver calling out course notes. For anyone who enjoys driving, it’s always a treat to slide behind the wheel of a CT4-V Blackwing.
This is true even when puttering around at a sedate pace. The CT4-V Blackwing is not one of those too-stiff performance cars where you spend the majority of drive time tiptoeing around less-than-perfect roads, waiting for the rare scenario in which it shines. With the possible exception of its big brother, the CT5-V Blackwing, there isn’t another car south of $100,000 with 1.0-g-plus cornering capability that has this much ride compliance. Credit the fast-acting magnetorheological dampers and General Motors’ ride and handling engineers, who continue to prove they’re some of the best in the business.
From the level of approachability and feedback, you’d never guess that the CT4-V is slightly heavier than the BMW M3. BMW’s twin-turbo six also pulls harder than the CT4’s. However, the vocals and responsiveness of the Caddy’s V-6 are much improved from the iteration that powered the ATS-V. The great ones are never perfect. The CT4’s rear seat is small, and the interior is at least a class below its luxury branding and $61,890 price point. It has an interior, okay? And even if it didn’t, we’d probably still award it 10Best.
No one should need encouragement to choose the manual, but Cadillac is practically begging buyers to go six-speed by adding a steep $3175 upcharge for the automatic and reserving the 472-hp 3.6-liter V-6’s lightweight titanium connecting rods for stick-shift cars only. That choice is easy. Just don’t ask us to pick between this lighter, slightly purer, less expensive, and more modestly powered CT4-V Blackwing and the tire-spinning gorilla that is the CT5-V Blackwing. Both are on our list, just like last year.
With the Blackwings, Cadillac has overwhelmingly succeeded in the original mission of its V-series cars dating back to the 2004 CTS-V. It has built the world’s best sports sedans, beating BMW at the thing that brought the German automaker to prominence decades ago. Although the Blackwings seem to have little relevance to Caddy’s promised electric-only future, we don’t care. We’ll celebrate these dynamic masterpieces long after they cease production, and we suspect the collector market will do the same.
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing472-hp twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6; 6-speed manual 10-speed automatic
Base: $61,890
C/D Test Results (6-speed manual)60 mph: 4.0 sec1/4-Mile: 12.4 sec @ 116 mph Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 189 mphBraking, 70–0 mph: 153 ftRoadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.01 g
EPA Comb/City/Hwy: 18–19/15–16/23–24 mpg
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Keyword: 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing: Car and Driver 10Best