2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing first drive review

Rising from the ashes of the ATS-V, the 2022CadillacCT4-V Blackwing represents the extreme (in the purest sense) of compact performance from GM's luxury brand.The Blackwing name originally referred to the stillborn twin-turbo V8 used in a new generation of luxury sedans, but has been repurposed as a symbol ofCadillac's insistence on doing the right thing until the very end.Yes, at the end.Last breath.season finale.swan song.Farewell tour.Whichever version of the final version suits you best, apply it here, as the Blackwing represents thefinal form of the gasoline-poweredCadillac .

A sports sedan has two key components: a powerful powertrain and a chassis to contend with.Check and check.A modern and powerful twin-turbo V6 sits under the hood of the CT4-V Blackwing, which rides on the latest and greatest version of GM's global Alpha platform, which has evolved from the same basic underpinnings of the ATS, CTS, and Chevrolet Camaro .The stretched and widened version is the basis for the CT5 (see our review of the car, the Blackwing, next week).

During the transition from the ATS to the CT4, Cadillac decided to reposition and price its smallest sedan against European subcompacts.In the grandiose tradition of Cadillac sport four-doors, that makes it a mismatch in size.It looks almost as big as a BMW 3-Series or Mercedes C-Class than the front-wheel-drive-based 2-Series Gran Coupe and CLA-Class with which the CT4 nominally competes.

This generation's rebranding has also led to a whole new and very different way to wear high-performance models of the letter V.Previously, they represented the pinnacle of their respective nameplates, but now, the -V stands for mid-range.There are upgrades (limited-slip rear differential, more power, adaptive suspension), but it's positioned on Audi's S and BMW's M-Sport models.Cadillac even calls it the "CT4 V-Series" in some places, because the situation wasn't confusing enough.

While there's no ambiguity about the Blackwing's place in the CT4 hierarchy, Cadillac's "self-reliant" approach to positioning the CT4 still makes things a little tricky.The CT4-V Blackwing and its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 have 472 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque, figures that rival the BMW M3 and other compacts, not subcompacts (the crazy CLA 45 top ) output is 382 hp).Likewise, the Blackwing's 0-60 times (3.9 seconds with the automatic and 4.1 seconds with the manual) are decent, with a top speed of 189 mph.The manual is rated at 15 mpg city and 23 mpg highway; automatic at 16/24.

Yep, how about that? A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 10-speed automatic is optional.It's also rear-wheel drive boot.Don't bother looking for European performance baby sedans to make your choice; they're all automatic.The same is true for most contracts these days.

There's an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (a true mechanical unit; not a brake-based setup) between the engine and the drive wheels, and keeping it all up is the latest version (4.0) of Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC).Total curb weight with manual: 3,860 lbs.That's just 100 pounds more than the much smaller and less practical Camaro 2SS.

Caddy's engineers went to great lengths to keep the weight down, and some of them (18-inch wheels on performance cars) are more noticeable than others (no sunroof available).These 18-inch wheels are wrapped in summer-spec 255/35ZR18 (front) and 275/35ZR18 (rear) Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.The rear brake is also converted to a dual-caliper setup, with a dedicated clamp for the parking brake, which both reduces unsprung mass and allows for better airflow (and thus cooling).In the process, they also upgraded to a four-piston setup, which added extra confidence.

On the road, the extra tire sidewall pays off hugely.In Touring mode, the Blackwing remains fixed and agile, but rides like a Cadillac.It's soft and soothing, even on broken pavement, providing feedback with a murmur rather than a growl."Sport" stiffens the steering and damper response, but it's still unpunished.Things don't get really stubborn until you get into Track-specific mode.

Like almost everyone else, Cadillac lets you customize the CT4-V Blackwing's drive modes in great detail, with many categories offering more than a simple binary choice.Steering, suspension, engine response - you name it, you can customize it.Shift programs are also selectable in cars with automatics.