Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    More Powerful Cadillac V-Series Get A Name

      ..."How do you like the Blackwing name?" - Mark Reuss

    Cadillac's newest V-series, the CT4-V and CT5-V, disappointed fans when they debuted on May 30th by being substantially less powerful than their predecessors. The CT4-V gets a 2.7-liter turbo four cylinder producing 320 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, that's a 130 horsepower deficit compared to the ATS-V.   The story for the CT5-V is similar with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo making 355 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque compared to the 640 horsepower of the CTS-V.  GM President Mark Reuss called the previous cars "hammer" and that they intimidated customers. Thus, Cadillac responded by extending the V-series badge down to be more accessible to more customers. 

    Cadillac fans wouldn't have it, and Cadillac was quick to respond saying that more powerful versions of the CT4-V and CT5-V would be on the way, even bringing out higher potency test cars for the Detroit Grand Prix. The CT5-V was rumored to be running with the Blackwing V8, and that car getting the 4.2 Twin-Turbo V8 is not a new rumor. 

    The controversy comes down to what to call the higher powered models when they do arrive. Some fans felt that the models already shown should be V-Sports and the more powerful versions get the V moniker. However, it seems that Cadillac has settled on Blackwing as the name for the high power versions of their V-series, and that name may not be limited to just models with the Blackwing V8, making Blackwing more of a sub-brand for Cadillac like Denali is for GMC.

    What do you think? Is Blackwing a good name for the true high-performance versions of the V-series cars?

     

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    I agree you need a more accessible sport trim and 640 hp is not really usable on regular roads.  But if you spent 15 years on the “V” name brand I don’t know if I would throw that away in a reboot.  Although Cadillac threw away SRX and CTS for reboots so I guess it doesn’t matter.

    If Blackwing is the top trim and you are going with a word name there, why not use word names for the models too and throw away the awful alfa-numeric names in favor of word names.

     

    • Agree 3
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    50 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    I agree, it gets cumbersome say something like CT5-V Blackwing 

    Just drop the V for the Blackwing trim.... maybe that's what they're doing....

    Ideally, the Blackwing sub-brand would be not just the Blackwing V8.  It would also include interior upgrades to go along with the performance upgrades that should accompany the Blackwing V8.  In other words, better than Denali.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    1 hour ago, Drew Dowdell said:

    I agree, it gets cumbersome say something like CT5-V Blackwing 

    Just drop the V for the Blackwing trim.... maybe that's what they're doing....

    I'm cool with learning yet one more moniker--I'd be okay with just that... CT5 Blackwing, CT6 Blackwing, etc.  You only see "CT#" in one spot on the car... Blackwing (or perhaps some logo) can be on the trunk, seats, dash, when you start it up, engine cover, etc.

    • Agree 2
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    They could bring back Eldorado, Fleetwood and Seville, and throw a V or Blackwing after that.  Sounds better than CT4 Blackwing.

    Problem with the CT-4-5-6 naming scheme is that makes "Cadillac" the most important part of the name and "Cadillac"  the image of the product, and the Cadillac name doesn't carry much weight anymore.  Also why the big SUV is "Escalade" and not XT8 because "Escalade" has way more cache than "Cadillac."

    Although you also have to wonder if CT4 and CT5 don't sell well, will Cadillac just give up on sedans for the most part, and everything be an SUV in which case you don't really need a V or Blackwing sub-brand.

    Edited by smk4565
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • The kind of change we need in EVERY American city, but won't get. 
    • Since there is no mention from Toyota about a 2027 Grand Highlander, the dealerships have indicated it is dead and that would be on par with the released information where the 2027 Highlander is equal in length with a longer wheelbase than the Grand Highlander. The Highlander EV has a longer wheelbase, contributing to its larger interior dimensions. The Highlander EV is designed to be a spacious and comfortable vehicle, with the ability to accommodate up to eight passengers, including adults in the third row. The Grand Highlander, on the other hand, offers more cargo capacity and a more traditional SUV design, making it suitable for those who prefer a larger vehicle with more space for cargo than passengers. Per Toyota press release. I would not be surprised to see them produce the Grand Highlander for 2026 and kill it since no 2027 model has been announced. This lets the 2027 Highlander EV take over since it is a 3 row EV with adults in the third row unlike the current Grand Highlander that is kids only in the 3rd row. Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 are clearly direct competitors for this. Yet with the Toyota Name, I expect many will make the jump to the Highlander EV.
    • The Grand Highlander was the volume seller of the two, which is why it continues as is (and will for the foreseeable future( while giving the smaller Highlander a fresh start as an EV. That way, it most likely doesn't poach sales from the Grand Highlander while officially getting some skin in the EV game, especially since the batteries are being produced about 20 miles from my house. 
    • I feel the U.S. music scene is pretty sad right now. I will say that the Korean K-Pop scene is HOT HOT HOT! Love me some Black Pink as well as Rain and Hyolyn as well as many others. American Music is more now Gorillaz, Muse, Imagine Dragon, The Black Keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Depeche Mode for me.
    • The Heated Rivalry series has buried deep into my brain. The music causes feelings because I associate it with scenes in the show.  This playlist has been on repeat for basically 2 months.          
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search