The 2023 Cadillac CT4 V-Series Blackwing Luxury Sports Sedan
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: What is a CT4 Blackwing? The CT4 is a compact executive sedan manufactured and marketed by Cadillac. It replaced the Cadillac ATS sedan, and sits below the CT5 in Cadillac’s lineup. The CT4 V-Series Blackwing is the luxury sports performance model built to compete with all the European and Asian sport sedans.
What makes a Cadillac a Blackwing? Power and Handling. Advanced suspension refinements provide greater body control, and a more agile feel. Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 with Blackwing specific tuning, sharpens the balance between daily driving comfort, and high performance track capability.
Most sports and race cars use a RWD rear wheel drive system for performance and weight reasons. Cadillac opted for a rear wheel drive only system for the Blackwing cars as Cadillac’s performance manager claims that the Blackwings are built for the racetrack right off the showroom floor.
The 2023 CT4-V Blackwing has a 3.6L liter twin turbo V6 engine with 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The base transmission is a 6 speed manual stick shift, with a 10 speed automatic as the optional choice. As stated, all Blackwings are RWD rear wheel drive, with adaptive suspension and magnetic ride control, and have Brembo front and rear disc brakes as standard Blackwing equipment.
The 2023 Cadillac CT4 base price is $34,395, the Premium Luxury Edition starts at $38,995, and the Sport Edition begins at $40,195. If you want something faster, the V-Series starts at $46,295, and the V-Series Blackwing model starts at $60,495. A $1,395 destination fee applies to every CT4 model.
This week Cadillac sent me a 2023 Cadillac CT4 V-Series Blackwing to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this model is $60,495. The options on the test car are: The Sky Cool gray leather interior with jet black accent stitching for $4,900, the 10 speed automatic transmission for $2,275, the onboard performance data and video recorder for $1,600, the radiant tintcoat paint for $1,225, a power glass sunroof for $1,050, the driver assist package for $900, the technology package for $725, a set of 18” satin graphite alloy wheels for $600, the climate control package for $600, the torch red painted brake calipers for $595, and the bright red seat belt webbing for $400.
The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $1,395 destination charge, is $76,760. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the off the showroom floor and into your garage total purchase price came to: $86,355.
What is so special about the Cadillac Blackwing? The 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing delivers the highest down force in V-Series history. With an estimated top speed of 189 mph, and the track tailored chassis and suspension features, the 2023 CT4-V Blackwing is one of the fastest performance sport sedans you can buy in this class from anybody.
What does the CT4 compete with? The 2023 Cadillac CT4 is a compact luxury sport sedan that delivers a wide range of engines and power train choices to compete against track rivals as the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes Benz C Class, Audi A4, and Genesis G70.
How fast is a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing? Every model is fitted with adaptive dampers, an electronic limited slip differential, and a powerful braking system that make it race track ready. On the test track we saw the CT4-V Blackwing, with the 6 speed manual box hit 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, post 1.01 g’s on the skidpad, and stop from 70 mph in 153 feet.
These are some really impressive racecar numbers from a factory built sports sedan. A Blackwing represents the pinnacle of Cadillac performance engineering, craftsmanship and technology. It is their designation for their top of the line V-Series performance cars.
When you’re ready to buy a new luxury performance sport sedan, the 2023 Cadillac CT4 V-Series Blackwing should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best luxury sport sedans for sale in the entire luxury car performance sport sedan class.
Call, click or visit your local Cadillac dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2023 Cadillac CT4 V-Series Blackwing. And remember that the base price for a new CT4 starts at only $34,395. Cadillac - Standard of the World.
The Cadillac CT4-V V-Series Blackwing is a limited edition model. An official figure on specific production numbers is not available, but according to a Cadillac spokesperson less than 3,000 models of the V-Series Blackwing will be made in total for 2023.
Assuming GM authority’s information is correct; the 2023 Blackwing has been sold out. So, you will just have to wait for Cadillac to start taking orders for the 2024 models.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today.”
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense” editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire. Net at www.autowire.net