The high-performance American sedan is a vanishing breed. V8 engines, manual transmissions, and a rear-wheel-drive platform that rewards everyday drivers on the way to work and skilled ones on the track. True, hybrids and electrified vehicles are sometimes faster and more powerful, but there is nothing like a classic V8 performance car with a beefy exhaust.
Since the original 2004 CTS-V, Cadillac has spent over 20 years refining this specific blueprint. It was a bold move for a brand that, at the time, was still largely associated with the soft-riding cruisers your grandparents drove to the early-bird special (2008 DTS, anyone?). The V-Series didn’t just turn that retirement reputation on its head; it did a burnout all the way across the Bob Evans parking lot.
That journey has seen the V-Series badge evolve from a niche experiment into a world-class performance sub-brand. Along the way, Cadillac wasn’t afraid to get ambitious, if not outright nuts. We saw the 2006 STS-V with its hand-built, supercharged Northstar V8, followed by the 2011 CTS-V Wagon, a 556-horsepower, long-roofed unicorn that remains one of the most sought-after collector cars today.
Later, the 2016 ATS-V proved Cadillac could master precision handling with a twin-turbo V6, paving the way for the current Blackwing era. As the luxury automaker once deemed The Standard of The World enters Formula 1, the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series is the ideal sendoff.
Base Trim Engine
3L V6 ICE
Base Trim Transmission
10-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Most powerful Blackwing yet
Enhanced supercharger devised by GM engineers
With a production run of just 26 units (in reference to the year Cadillac joined F1), this one-off Blackwing is arguably more exclusive than most modern-day supercars.
The Blackwing represents the ultimate package for the Cadillac faithful and American muscle car enthusiasts. While members of that group undoubtedly have their favorite V-Series car, who wouldn’t want to be one of the lucky 26 to get their hands on the steering wheel and their feet on the pedals of this one?
Working alongside team members at GM Motorsports, Cadillac engineers created the most powerful Blackwing to date. The 6.2-liter V8, which produces 685 horsepower and 673 lb-ft. of torque, has an upgraded supercharger with a CNC-machined cover and a laser-etched FIA logo, created in-house by GM Motorsports staffers.
All 26 cars come exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, while aerodynamic tweaks and thermal management upgrades are a result of data gathered during Cadillac’s endurance racing.
Radar Band Detection
X, K, Ka
Companion App
Drive Smarter
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Chassis, braking, and suspension
Precision Package offers track-focused upgrades
As the name implies, the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series was developed in conjunction with Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body for world motor sport. As Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, noted, each car is “curated to be a centerpiece in any collection and a true celebration of Cadillac’s new era in Formula 1.”
Fitting then that each Collector Series car will come with the Precision Package, a suite of track-focused upgrades that includes:
- Carbon-Ceramic Brakes: Upgraded rotors provide consistent stopping power while reducing unsprung weight. The braking system is complete with bespoke Harbor Gray Metallic calipers.
- Custom Chassis Tuning: Specialized front steering knuckles and rear toe links provide sharper turn-in for high-speed cornering.
- Magnetic Ride Control: GM’s long-standing suspension system has been calibrated for the higher power output of the F1-inspired Blackwing. Other suspension upgrades include firmer springs and an 11% stiffer anti-sway bar.
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Exterior highlights and interior touches
Cadillac F1 livery
Each car comes finished in Midnight Stone Frost, a matte black paint that mirrors the Cadillac F1 Team livery. Exterior highlights include Carbon Flash Metallic wheels, monochrome Cadillac logos, and carbon fiber lower bodywork accented by a Switchblade Silver pinstripe.
As the first American road car to feature official F1 and FIA logos, the branding is displayed across and throughout, including the doors, spoiler, rocker panels, sill plate, headrests, and center console. The interior also features unique details, including a 3D-printed F1 shifter medallion and a custom Cadillac Formula 1 door sill plate.
An American icon already in the history books
By leaning into its Formula 1 future with a car that honors its V8 roots, Cadillac has created a permanent piece of automotive history, one that only 26 people will ever get to experience from the driver’s seat.
“The CT5-V Blackwing embodies the very best of Cadillac track-capable performance,” Reuss said. “With the F1 Collector Series, we’re channeling the energy and innovation of Formula 1 into a road-ready sedan that feels every bit as special as our entry into the sport.”
