2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Photos, engines & full specs

Blackwing was for Cadillac what the AMG or the M was for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, respectively, and when it was applied to the CT5-V, it became a beast with an ace up its sleeves against its two main rivals.

The CT5-V was Cadillac’s best-selling vehicle in 2023, and that result pushed the American luxury car maker to create a refreshed version of the lineup. But, besides the regular CT5-V powered by twin-turbocharged inline-fours or V6s, the mighty Blackwind brought a 6.2-liter V8 supercharged to the table. In addition, Cadillac offered the high-performance CT5-V version with a three-pedal setup, something neither this mid-size luxury sedan’s competitors could provide. Fortunately for Cadillac’s fans, the CT5-V Blackwing facelift didn’t have just some mild aesthetic touches here and there and a new color. It was more than that.

From the outside, the front fascia was the one that got the most attention from the exterior design team. The 2025 CT5-V Blackwing featured new daytime running lights that ran continuously from the upper side of the front fenders to the side scoops that flanked the upper grille. Lower, on the apron, the automaker added an aggressive-looking rectangular air intake flanked by triangular scoops that channeled air to the front disc brakes. As an option, Cadillac offered a carbon fiber splitter, part of the Carbon Fiber Package.

From its profile, the lowered ground clearance and the cab rearward design of the vehicle emphasized the CT5-V Blackwing’s aggressive stance. The black trim surrounding the window lines and the aerodynamically profiled side sills emphasized the car’s sporty appearance. Thanks to the sloped-down roofline towards the tall deck of the vehicle, the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing looked more like a coupe than a four-door sedan. Finally, at the back, the automaker added the option for a massive carbon-fiber spoiler mounted on the short deck. Lower, underneath the bumper, the top-performer version of the CT5-V lineup revealed two sets of twin rectangular exhausts mounted on the sides, flanking the rear diffuser.

But one of the most significant upgrades of the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing happened on the inside. At the front, the automaker installed a pair of high-bolstered sports seats with integrated headrests as an option. Besides the carbon fiber trims mixed with Alcantara and contrast stitching on the door panels and other parts of the cabin, Cadillac introduced a new 33-inch curved display mounted on top of the dashboard. There were, in fact, two units: an LCD fronting the driver for the instrument panel and a touchscreen above the center stack for the infotainment system. The system was based on Android Automotive OS and offered a few attractive features for those who wished to take their cars to race tracks. The car used telemetry data, analyzed the driver’s input, suggested race lines, braking, and accelerating points, and assisted them with videos.

Under the hood stood the same 6.2-liter supercharged from the non-facelifted version. The 668 hp (677 PS) powerplant sent its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual or a ten-speed automatic. Unlike its CT5-V brothers, the Blackwing version was an RWD affair only.