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Are you looking for a luxury-branded muscle car? If you are, the one to shop for is the Cadillac CT series. We sampled the CT4 this week and discovered what 470 hp does for a barely midsized rear-drive car platform.
2023 Cadillac CT-4 V-Series Blackwing - What Is It?
The 2023 Cadillac CT-4 is a five-passenger sedan with room for four or five in a pinch. Based on its interior dimensions, we would call it a compact car. V-Series Blackwing means this is the version that GM dropped all the go-fast bits into.
2023 Cadillac CT-4 V-Series Blackwing - What Powers it?
Our test vehicle was equipped with a twin-turbocharged V6 with 470 hp. Yup. Compact car. 470 hp. The version we tested was rear-wheel drive and had a 10-speed geared automatic transmission with paddle shifters and about a dozen drive modes and rear differential settings. Of the “Sport ++Tighten Your Chinstrap” variety. The vehicle has an EPA-Estimated 19 MPG Combined rating using premium fuel. We observed 21 MPG.
2023 Cadillac CT-4 V-Series Blackwing - How Much Does It Cost?
The CT-4 starts at just $35K theoretically. However, that vehicle would share little with the V-Series Blackwing in terms of content or personality. The one we tested had a sticker price , including destination charges of $76,660.
2023 Cadillac CT-4 V-Series Blackwing - How’s It Drive?
The CT-4 V-Series Blackwing offers those few buyers who want a rocket with a race-car-like ride and handling all they could ever wish for. This is a track star. It would be ideal for a track day event. On public roads, there isn’t any place for it to stretch its legs.
The handling is amazing. Even in sloppy slippery winter weather, it corners sharply and steers precisely. The engine is subtle unless you prefer it to be incredibly brutal off the line. The torque is fantastic.
Over bumps the car does just fine. Our tester had its standard summer-only performance tires swapped out for Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 Winter Performance Tires and they were a match made in heaven.
2023 Cadillac CT-4 V-Series Blackwing - What’s the Interior Like?
Let’s get this out of the way; The seats in this car are race-car firm. Getting in and out is tricky. Those issues aside, the interior of the CT-4 V-Series Blackwing is high-end American luxury in all the right ways. The screen was a bit smaller than most modern cars offer, but with a head-up display, who cares? Interesting luxury features included massage seats.
2023 Cadillac CT-4 V-Series Blackwing - Conclusion
If you are looking for a sedan this size, there are few better. Many shoppers will ultimately compare this car to the Tesla Model 3 Performance. However, the Model 3 is no place close to the Cadillac’s luxury grade. Both offer much more performance than can ever be used on public roads.
Those who want a velvet hammer in a compact car need look no further. This car can hang with the very best from Germany and do so without breaking a sweat.
Top of page image by Cadillac. Other images by John Goreham
John Goreham is an experienced New England Motor Press Association member and expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. In addition to his ten years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can follow John on Twitter, and TikTok @ToknCars, and view his credentials at Linkedin
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