Manoli Katakis 
In January MC&T was the first to exclusively report that the upcoming performance variants from Cadillac that will replace the dynamic ATS-V and the supersonic CTS-V will both come with both manual and automatic transmissions. Today, The Drive further confirms our original report, with a photo depicting a completely uncovered 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing with a DIY shift stick. How fun!
Cadillac hasn’t offered a supercharged V8/stick shift combo since the discontinuation of the second-generation CTS-V, which also came in coupe and wagon body styles. Unfortunately, we understand that the entirety of the Cadillac CT5 program to come in a single body style: a four-door sedan. That includes the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing. Like the gen-3 CTS-V, there will be no coupe, nor wagon.
To remind, the upcoming Blackwing performance Cadillacs will each feature familiar engines. First is the 464 hp 3.6L twin-turbo LF4 V6 for the 2021 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, which is the ATS-V replacement. From there, the 640-650 hp 6.2L LT4 V8 for the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the CTS-V replacement. Aside from both featuring manual transmissions, they will also feature GM’s 10-speed automatic.
Because the engines will be the same as before, we’re not expecting much variation when it comes to performance numbers such as 0-60 acceleration, top speed, or quarter mile times. According to sources close with MC&T, we’ve been told to expect the similar performance numbers to the ATS-V and CTS-V with these new Blackwing Cadillacs, but with significantly more levels of refinement. Although, we hope that doesn’t mean “numb,” as is the case with whatever BMW is squeezing out of its hollowed-out ///M division these days.
