I hate goodbyes and in the case of the 2022 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing sedan it’s forever and it’s very sad because it’s going to be the last gasoline sport sedan Cadillac will build because they’re very busy transforming into an electric luxury brand.

The good news is that Cadillac knows its buyers, so the CT4 Blackwing the standard transmission is a 6-speed manual for which they expect to obtain a participation rate of approximately 20%. If you opt for the ten-speed, paddle-shift automatic, the price jumps to $63,165 from the base price of $58,995, which is a relative bargain considering what you get.

My loaded tester had a few options, including Natural Tan with Jet Black accents, a performance steering wheel and microfiber trim package ($4,900), performance data logger ($1,600), and infrared paint ( $1,225).

Other options checked included the Tech Package with air ionizer, head-up display ($725), 18-inch graphite wheels, climate package with massage seats ($600) and red brake calipers ($595). It took the total cost at $70,235 including destination.

Gone is the sleek, angular look of the ATS-V replaced by a much more modern exterior heavily influenced by Cadillac’s Escala concept. The creases form a subtle power bulge in the bonnet and there are no Blackwing badges to differentiate this car from the CT4 V.

My tester was not equipped with the optional Carbon Fiber 1 package ($4,350), and I was happy because the last Cadillac ATS VI tested, I managed to break the carbon fiber front splitter, which at the time cost $1,500. I also think it takes away from the overall sleepy feel of the car. If you choose the package, the CT4-V Blackwing produces 169 pounds of downforce at 180 mph, the maximum of any V-series car.

Just add power

Running on the already excellent Alpha platform, Cadillac has upped the ante with the CT4 Blackwing by making changes to Magnetic Ride Control technology that now speeds up shifts with a suite of new sensors.

To take that power down are a very tasty set of 18-inch graphite alloy wheels shod in custom-compound Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires (TIP: there’s added Cup 2 DNA). Power has been increased by eight horsepower through tuning and revisions to the intake and biturbo six is ​​now 472 HP.

The torque remains the same at 445 lb-ft. Cadillac claims its 2022 CT4-V Blackwing can get 60mph in 3.9 seconds with the optional 10-speed automatic transmission or 4.1 seconds with manual.

Sparkling performance

One thing that was disappointing about the ATS V was its lack of sound, specifically the sound of the exhaust. This has been fixed in the CT4 Blackwing, reworking the exhaust to achieve the maximum decibel levels allowed, and for the most part it works, the exhaust creaks when overtaking and growls in the middle of a discussion.

Sit in the very comfortable multi-adjustable driver’s seat, place your left foot on the clutch and your right foot on the brake and press the start button. The engine is quite muffled on start-up since the default mode is Tour, the most relaxed of all. The suspension absorbs the undulations of the road and the steering is light and precise. Exercise your right arm with a few downshifts and the power of the Biturbo 6 is readily available.

The Tour mode does not exactly set the hair on fire, for this you need to press the V button located on the left side of the steering wheel. That makes it all up to TEN except the PTM (Performance Traction Management) which is best left alone unless you are on the track. V mode increases steering brakes, exhaust, etc. at maximum level, and that’s where the fun begins.

The Blackwing is incredibly good on twisty back roads, the car just rolls, the 6-speed is one of the best I’ve used and the traction from the Michelins is immense. The engine has a ton of torque, but it also likes to rev, and the exhaust lets out a crack as you reach redline and pick up the next gear. No shifting helps you maximize acceleration, and rev matching prevents jerky bottoming and pinching. All this makes you smile.

The Blackwing has an old school feel, it oozes soul, you feel part of the car, not separated and distanced behind the electronics. Everything about the car communicates to you, especially the very precise steering although I turned it back to Sport in V mode as it felt a bit artificial at level ten.

With exceptional tires and excellent suspension tuning, this Cadillac can generate 1.04 g of lateral acceleration in curves. The brakes are Brembo brakes and are superb, stopping the car at stupid speeds with no problem. Up front, the Brembos have six-piston calipers and improved cooling to increase fade resistance.

Interior

The new interior is a huge improvement over the cabin of the ATS, and while it’s not quite up to German standards, I don’t care because the cabin is still a very nice place.

The new interior offers physical buttons to complement the 8-inch touchscreen, which are like buttons, buttons are good. All CT4s have an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, it’s easy to use, intuitive and incredibly responsive. All the other controls fall easily to hand, the HVAC is under the vents that sit below the infotainment screen, and the heated and cooled seat buttons sit below, it’s very well laid out.

Space is decent up front, although rear space is average for this class, and the trunk has 10.7 cubic feet of space, plenty for a set of golf clubs, but why waste your time with it while you can just drive.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot come standard, and the CT4 Blackwing comes equipped with GM’s new Digital Vehicle Platform architecture, which is faster and accepts live updates. direct. It also has a very good AKG audio system if you ever get bored listening to the engine.

Safety features include Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Forward Pedestrian Braking, Distance Indicator, Intellibeam Headlamps, Lane Change Alert, Blind Spot Alert side, lane keeping assist with departure warning and rear cross traffic alert.

Verdict

What Cadillac has created here is a perfect epilogue, a love letter to the performance sedan we’ll probably never see or drive again. They could have stopped at the CT4 V and said ok we’re done but they didn’t and I’m glad because it’s just the best period for sports sedans, sorry BMW M3, you lose.

VIDEO REVIEW

2022 Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing numbers

BASE PRICE: – $58,995
PRICE AS TESTED: – $70,235
VEHICLE TYPE: – Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-door coupe, 4-seater
ENGINE TYPE: – 3.6-litre DOHC 24-valve twin-turbocharged V6
POWER: – 472 hp at 5,850 rpm
TORQUE: – 445 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION: – 6-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: – 3,851 lbs.
Zero to 100 km/h: – 4.1s (3.9s automatic)
EPA city/highway/combined: – 15/23/18 mpg
OUR OBSERVED: – 15.9 mpg
PROS: – Incredible performance, the 6-speed is a gem, the largest sedan
CONS: – The end of an era

---