If you need a luxurious sedan that’ll waft you to the race observe after which humiliate some correct sports activities automobiles in each hot-lap session, Cadillac’s V-Collection automobiles have all the time been a good selection. The DNA of that line is robust, pulling in expertise from Basic Motors’ Corvette and Camaro lineage to create respectable observe day performers.

Now, with sedans a dying breed and the big-displacement engines that energy them underneath menace, Cadillac is popping up its V-Collection to 11 for one ultimate go together with the brand new Blackwing fashions. The CT4-V Blackwing is the lesser of the 2, a 472-horsepower beast that just lately blew me away on the observe. It is a miracle of energy and efficiency. However then there’s its greater brother.

The 2022 CT5-V Blackwing is constructed on the identical platform and visually much like the CT4-V, however with sufficient energy and efficiency to make its sibling appear a bit quaint. Energy right here comes from GM’s venerable LT4 engine, a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 668 hp and 649 pound-feet of torque. That is practically 200 extra ponies than the CT4-V Blackwing, sufficient to drop the 0-to-60 mph time to three.4 seconds. The quarter-mile will move beneath this factor’s 19-inch wheels in 11.3 seconds at 129 mph.

The CT5-V Blackwing is, to place it mildly, a monster. However it’s one with sufficient smarts and options to be manageable — even calm and composed. Cadillac’s most superior magnetorheological suspension is right here, working its magic to make the Blackwing as poised over Virginia Worldwide Raceway’s many bumps and curbs as it’s when cruising over extra informal streets, whereas a 10-speed computerized transmission not solely gives brutally fast shifts, however clean and calm ones, too.

Maybe extra importantly, this automobile is obtainable with a six-speed guide transmission, and a fantastic one at that, with quick throws and tight really feel. Truthfully the auto is so good it is onerous to think about wanting the guide, however then if this automobile is supposed to be an attractive swan-song to efficiency sedans, you may as effectively ship all of the hits.

Refined fender vents serve the identical objective because the hood vent on the sooner large V.

Cadillac

The CT5-V Blackwing’s iron brakes are the most important Cadillac has ever provided, measuring a whopping 15.7 inches up entrance. However spend one other $9,800 and you may step as much as carbon-ceramic stoppers, that are even greater at 15.8 inches.

All of that is wrapped in a package deal that is 5.7 inches longer than the CT4-V Blackwing, clad in a considerably extra delicate exterior than its smaller sibling. There is no hood vent this time; air is directed downward and out, together with by beneficiant ports located low on the entrance fenders, hinting on the quantity of warmth that LT4 pumps out. A modest wing on the again gives sufficient downforce to counter the automobile’s elevate at pace.

How a lot pace? Cadillac says the CT5-V Blackwing can break by the 200-mph barrier. I wasn’t capable of take a look at that, however I did effectively in extra of 100 mph a number of instances per lap at Virginia Worldwide Raceway. VIR includes a beneficiant kink on its entrance straight, making it a blind take a look at of braveness as you goal in the direction of the wall and maintain your foot flat. With the speedometer needle swinging in the direction of 150 mph, all 668 hp pushing me alongside, the Blackwing was steady and calm proper as much as the purpose the place I jumped on the brake pedal.

If the 10-speed computerized is not your factor, you will get the CT5-V Blackwing with a 6-speed guide transmission.

Cadillac

Impressively, the Blackwing was simply as settled by the S-curves that adopted and thru essentially the most technical turns that VIR has to supply. It is a traditional, bumpy circuit with quick turns and massive penalties should you get them mistaken. With the CT5-V Blackwing, every part felt proper.

That is to not say it wasn’t a handful. That a lot energy solely delivered to the rear wheels means it is easy to get your self into bother, regardless of the energetic rear differential and all kinds of advance traction and stability management security blankets. Full throttle is finest deployed when the automobile is pointed straight and the suspension is settled, and sizzling rattling does it go.

The steering is mild however exact, the automobile pulling 1.01 Gs within the corners, sufficient to make the snug sport seats really feel not fairly sporty sufficient. However then, there aren’t that many automobiles able to shifting this effectively on the observe whereas delivering a again therapeutic massage.

Seat massagers on most, certainly.

Cadillac

I sadly wasn’t capable of pattern the CT5-V Blackwing on public roads, however I dialed the automobile again to its extra snug modes on the cool-down laps and aimed for as many bumps as I may discover. I really feel assured saying it will be a minimum of pretty much as good on the highway because the CT4-V Blackwing proved to be, which is to say superb certainly.

Getting one on the highway will value you a good bit extra, nonetheless. The MSRP on the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing begins at $84,990, together with $995 for vacation spot. The Blackwing comes with a complete energetic security system, together with computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, however you may must pony up one other $900 if you would like adaptive cruise management and emergency braking in reverse. Tick all of the packing containers and also you’re taking a look at $125,980.

Which means you are spending a minimal of $25,000 greater than the CT4-V Blackwing, which is itself a chic performer. Price it? It is onerous to consider anybody needing greater than the smaller Blackwing has to supply, however then automobiles in six-figure territory are not often about assembly wants. As for me, I simply need one other few laps.

Editors’ word: Journey prices associated to this story have been lined by the producer, which is frequent within the auto trade. The judgments and opinions of Roadshow’s workers are our personal and we don’t settle for paid editorial content material.