Who says the manual is gone for good? In an era of cars that overwhelmingly prefer software and actuators to shift gears, the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V promise self-shifted driving fun.
The 'V' sub-brand from Cadillac puts down high-performance models on the road. The fourth generation of Cadillac V cars will be led by the 2020 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V. The two fast saloons will also feature the Blackwing badge signifying the powerful V8 underneath.
The Blackwing moniker was introduced in 2019 with the CT6-V that is now discontinued. the 4.2-litre V8 is good for 550hp. However, the new saloons might feature a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6 or a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that puts down 640hp. Six-speed manual gearboxes will transmit power while 10-speed automatics will be offered optionally.
The 2020 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V have been doing test runs including track times and road courses around the USA. Earlier this year, both cars set lap times faster than the infamous ATS-V and CTS-V.
Brandon Vivian, Cadillac executive chief engineer, said, “The Blackwing name has come to represent the very best of Cadillac performance engineering, craftsmanship and technology. The new CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing build on the brand’s respected legacy of ultimate-performance driving experiences and elevate them even further.”
Cadillac would have launched the performance saloons later this year. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, expect the American carmaker to bring them to market mid to late 2021.