Manoli Katakis 
Cadillac is taking full advantage of its home turf by teasing the upcoming 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing with a lap around Belle Isle racetrack before the start of the IMSA race. Muscle Cars & Trucks was on site first-hand to report, and we’re here to tell you what we so far know about the upcoming supercar.
As we saw earlier this week, the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V and Cadillac CT4-V bring an extremely watered-down approach to the V-Series sub brand, with 355 hp and 270 hp, respectively. To put it another way, just more than half the horsepower of the V-Series models from the outgoing ATS-V and CTS-V. So far, reception to the move hasn’t been seen as positive, but even GM President Mark Reuss dropped hints that Cadillac removed itself from building high-performance sedans just yet.
We understand that the vehicles coming in to truly replace the 464 hp ATS-V and 640 hp CTS-V will feature the range-topping Blackwing badge, as the V-Series sub-brand moves downmarket. We expect these vehicles to launch beginning the 2021 model year, and we also expect the high output that will satisfy even the most deviant among us.
We’ll provide with updates on the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing as they come.
To recap, the 2020 Cadillac CT5-V will launch early next year, and will feature a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine pushing out 355 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Which are respectable numbers, but fall short of the V-Series reputation that been built over the past 15 years. It’s paired exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and will offer all-wheel-drive. By comparison, we expect the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing to exclusively maintain a RWD drivetrain, and possibly feature a manual transmission, as well.
The 2020 CT5-V will also offer Super Cruise, and will feature a customizable “V-Mode” that will configure various driving preferences such as throttle and brake feel. And while some outlets have incorrectly stated that the CT5-V somehow replaces the 200 mph CTS-V, it appears more in line to replace the mid-range CTS V-Sport.
