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2022 CADILLAC CT4-V BLACKWING FUEL ECONOMY MATCHES BMW M3

The CT4-V Blackwing Comes Just Below Its Predecessor’s Combined Fuel Economy, But With Increased Power

Most people looking to purchase the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing as their track weapon of choice are going to be more concerned about the smiles per gallon they’ll be getting rather than their actual fuel consumption. However, Cadillac has achieved something pretty impressive with the CT4-V Blackwing’s fuel economy just in case you were concerned about your carbon footprint. They’ve managed to retain virtually the same fuel economy from the CT4-V’s predecessor, the ATS-V, all while (marginally) increasing power from the same 3.6L TTV6 LF4 engine. We’ve compared the fuel economy numbers from both the automatic and manual gearboxes of the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and the ATS-V in the graphic below, thanks to fueleconomy.gov.

Cadillac CT4-V ATS-V Fuel Economy Chart
Image via fueleconomy.gov.

CT4-V Blackwing: A Familiar LF4 Powertrain

As you can see, the margins for fuel economy between two successive cars built three years apart is quite a feat. The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing picks up an additional eight horsepower and sacrifices only a singular mile per gallon.

As our longtime readers know, MC&T was the first to confirm that the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing would be powered by the same 3.6L twin-turbo V6 as the outgoing ATS-V. The familiar turbocharged engine produces 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft torque in CT4-V Blackwing spec, however. In order to boost the engine output for the Blackwing, Cadillac made some performance-minded adjustments to the motor. These include the installation of a manifold-integrated water-to-air charge cooling system, retargeted piston oil squirters, and revised crankshaft counterweights that reduce main/rod bearing reciprocating loads. Furthermore, Cadillac has matched the turbocharger compressors for peak efficiency at peak power, which is a desirable trait on track. Engine airflow has been adjusted for peak performance, with intake restriction improved by 39 percent over the ATS-V. Airflow routing volume has also been reduced by 60 percent when compared to a conventional design.

It’s also worth noting that the total curb weight of the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is 3,889 lbs. For comparison, the 2019 ATS-V sedan has a curb weight of 3,803 lbs. Not bad for a track-focused four-door, decked out with carbon goodies, that weighs 86 pounds more than it’s older brother.

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing BMW M3 Competition Fuel Economy Breakdown
Image via fueleconomy.gov.

CT4-V Blackwing’s Comparable German Rival

One of the most comparable cars in the track-focused sedan segment is the BMW M3 Competition. The M3 Comp also uses a twin-turbo six, but the displacement is only three liters. Crazy enough, the combined EPA fuel economy of the two cars is the same, but the CT4-V Blackwing even beats the M3 Competition in the highway fuel economy comparison by a mile per gallon. The M3 Competition isn’t the only beamer being bested by the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing either. It just beat the lap time of the F90 BMW M5 (yes, the one with the 4.4L TTV8) around the Virginia International Raceway Grand Course.

Written by Liam White

Student of the car industry. Automotive Media Padawan.

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