“I’m going to make a CT5-V Blackwing drive like a CT4-V Blackwing.” This was the message Cadillac’s chief engineer, Brandon Vivian, conveyed to General Motors management.
Considering Cadillac’s initial aim of transitioning to an all-electric brand by 2030, it becomes clear that Vivian must be quite a convincing advocate to secure even a limited engineering budget for this initiative.
Nevertheless, he succeeded. The outcome of this engineering endeavor is the introduction of the new $18,000 Precision Package for the updated 2025 CT5-V Blackwing. While the Blackwing will be available before the year concludes, the new package will debut in early 2025.
On the twisting roads of northern Georgia and at the Atlanta Motorsports Park, I aimed to discover whether the $18,000 investment in the Precision Package was justified. The answer is complex: it can be yes, no, or maybe.
What is the CT5-V Blackwing Precision Package?
Simply put, the Precision Package serves as a handling enhancement that includes upgraded tires, suspension adjustments, chassis modifications, and software updates to optimize the increased grip.
However, it encompasses much more than that.
At its foundation are the Michelin Cup 2 R tires measuring 275/35ZR19 up front and 305/30ZR19 at the rear, essentially giving a street-legal slick performance. These tires are designed specifically for summer and should avoid temperatures below 40 degrees, making them unsuitable for wet conditions, particularly in standing water.
According to Cadillac’s Chief Engineer, Alex MacDonald, those interested could forgo the $18,000 Precision Package and simply install a set of Cup 2s on a CT5-V Blackwing. However, it’s noted that they would likely hit the chassis limits of the car before exhausting the tires’ potential.
To prevent this limitation, Precision Package vehicles benefit from significantly upgraded front springs that are 70% stiffer, along with new front dampers featuring revised cartridges and shorter rod lengths, resulting in 2 mm less travel. Other enhancements include an 11% stiffer front sway bar, updated front knuckles that increase negative camber by 2.8 degrees (adjusted from the previous 2.5 degrees), new mounts for the upper spring seats, and isolators that are 79% firmer.
At the rear, springs are 57% stiffer, dampers have a 20.5-mm reduced rod length, rear J57 knuckles, and updated trailing link bushings feature a radial rate improvement of 63%. New rear toe links are produced in-house, and the new front bushing in the rear cradle boasts a stiffness increase of 1,000%, yet it remains non-solid.
This is complemented by revised magnetic damper tuning, as well as adjustments to the stability and traction control systems to benefit from the enhanced grip.
How does the CT5-V Blackwing Precision Package perform on the road?
The enhancements translate to marginal changes, if any, in how the CT5-V Blackwing behaves on the road. Exiting the Atlanta Motorsports Park parking area sharply and taking a quick left onto the main road, the Blackwing exhibited a responsive turn-in and agile movements.
Navigating through roundabouts and twisting backroads confirmed the CT5-V Blackwing’s adaptability and comfort for street driving.
Comparing the driving experiences between the standard CT5-V Blackwing and its Precision Package variant highlighted this well. When pushed to their limits, the Precision Package variant may exhibit a slightly sharper edge. Still, it is important to note that the Precision Package-equipped vehicle I was in had a track alignment with increased camber, which may have contributed to the subtle difference. Both cars utilized Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, an optional no-cost choice for those choosing the Precision Package to enhance daily drivability.
With a firm yet comfortable ride and precise handling, the CT5-V Blackwing Precision Package remains equally practical, unless the Cup 2 R tires are selected, compared to its non-Precision Package counterpart.
How does the CT5-V Blackwing Precision Package perform on the track?
It only took a few laps in both the CT5-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing equipped with the Precision Package (using the Cup 2 Rs) to observe a noticeable shift in dynamics and lap times.
Cadillac had us navigating in Track mode with the Performance Traction Management system configured to Sport 1, which allowed for increased drifting and tire slip. I managed to slide the CT5-V Blackwing’s rear end several times without triggering any alerts from the traction or stability control systems displayed on the digital dashboard. The system recognized my control and chose not to step in to prevent any mishaps.
The cars equipped with the Precision Package exhibited enhanced stability through the twists of turns 2 and 3, handling higher speeds with ease. I didn’t need to rely heavily on the **carbon-ceramic brakes** until approaching the tight left-hand carousel at turn 4. However, in light of Vivian’s comparison of the Precision Package’s effects on the CT5-V Blackwing to those of a CT4-V Blackwing, it is essential to note that the CT5-V Blackwing is a larger and heftier vehicle. The CT4-V Blackwing would probably display natural agility through these bends even without the ultra-grippy tires, yet the bulkier car performed remarkably well, mimicking its smaller counterpart due to the Precision Package.
While cars without the Precision Package tend to have more power relative to their grip, I found myself easing off the accelerator when navigating turn 4. In contrast, Precision Package vehicles entered the corner at greater speeds, maintained momentum through the turn, and allowed for a bit of rear-end slide in a controlled fashion. The front maintained better grip as the Cup 2 R tires dug into the asphalt, improving sharpness during turns. Although the revised suspension components and the stickier tires enhanced front-end grip, a CT4-V Blackwing demonstrates a crisper exit compared to a standard CT5-V Blackwing, with its lighter build contributing to a more anchored front through tight corners. Without a head-to-head comparison, it’s tough to gauge how close Vivian’s objectives were.
The Turn 6 right-hander effectively tests a vehicle’s capabilities, featuring an off-camber dip at the apex and a sharp uphill exit. Here, launching out of the corner was noticeably smoother with the Cup 2 R tires and improved suspension. Vehicles lacking the Precision Package struggled to harness power upon corner exit and took longer to stabilize. The CT4-V Blackwing weighs 263 pounds less than a **CT5-V Blackwing**, which significantly affects performance as Turn 6 tends to unsettle a vehicle’s dynamics. The Precision Package compensates for this with its exceptional grip.
During the Turns 13-16 sequence, which comprises a blind uphill left-hander, a lengthy, fast left bend, and a high-speed right leading onto the straight, the advantages of the Precision Package became particularly evident. As I aimed left through Turn 13, the Blackwing without the Precision Package battled to keep its tires grounded, resulting in a slight understeer on the downhill exit. This hindered speeds entering the carousel of Turns 14 and 15, making it challenging to generate speed heading into Turn 16 as I approached the straight. In this situation, I could only manage about 116 mph before entering the left at Turn 1.
As I switched to a Precision Package vehicle, I quickly observed that the Blackwing had less difficulty exiting Turn 13, consistently hitting **84-85 mph** at the Turn 14 apex and accelerating beyond 100 mph through the transition at Turn 16 towards the straight. On the front straight, I reached up to 126 mph before heavily engaging the carbon-ceramic brakes for Turn 1. Cadillac had IMSA professional driver Jordan Taylor present, who achieved a speed of 130 mph down the straight.
This increment in speed throughout the turns translated to significant improvements in lap times. The fastest lap I completed in the Blackwing with the Precision Package clocked in at 1:34.19, a 2-3 second advantage over my best laps with the Blackwing lacking the Precision Package. In contrast, Jordan Taylor recorded a time of 1:29.
A quick glance at the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing reveals noticeable upgrades, both inside and out.
The front end features new headlights that, while not convincing from a close distance as they seem to add a bit of visual weight, look impressive from a distance. The continuous vertical light strips provide the CT5-V Blackwing with a formidable and unique appearance. Previous iterations of the headlights were ineffective in wet and misty conditions, dispersing light with a scattered, unfocused beam. As MacDonald mentioned, the new projector lens headlights are designed for improved visibility. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to drive these vehicles at night, I look forward to testing this aspect in future evaluations.
The interior showcases a revamped dashboard, consistent with the updates across the CT5 lineup. The digital gauge cluster and touchscreen have been integrated into a **33.0-inch 8K display**, creating a seamless appearance rather than a tablet protruding from the dashboard. This design is well-executed and still includes physical buttons, knobs, and toggles for climate control and infotainment systems. Blackwings fitted with an automatic transmission also feature the Super Cruise hands-free driver-assist technology as…Standard equipment includes a different steering wheel that lacks the Performance Traction Management (PTM) system dial. Consequently, accessing PTM settings involves a convoluted series of steps, necessitating a double press of the V Mode button to bring up a menu, followed by navigating through the options with the drive mode toggle located on the center console. The rest of the cabin remains largely unchanged, and the Recaro highback front bucket seats provide solid support for my average height of 5 feet 10 inches. However, the quality of leather and other materials within the cabin falls short compared to what is offered in the considerably pricier BMW M5.
Cadillac has leveraged the upgraded screen and software of the CT5-V to enhance the available Performance Data Recorder (PDR) system supplied by Cosworth. This new setup allows functionalities that previously required either a computer or smartphone app to be managed directly from the touchscreen in real time. After completing a track lap, the system can deliver comparisons lap by lap, along with driver coaching insights and additional performance data, all within a revamped interface.
Among the fresh features is a **new lap timer and lap-time delta indicator**. The screen lights up green when you improve your lap time and turns red if your pace is slower. It’s an engaging aspect that makes it easier to monitor performance at high speeds, as a quick glance at a color is far simpler than trying to read a numerical lap time while racing at over 100 mph.
On paper, these updates appear impressive. However, the actual performance of the system has encountered some issues with lag. It remains unclear whether this stems from a processing problem or software glitches. I personally experienced several moments where I was tapping the screen multiple times to execute a function, leading to delays before the system finally responded. More frustrating was the occurrence of tapping the record button during a hot lap, only to find it hadn’t registered—an oversight I discovered midway through the lap that wasn’t being recorded.
With a starting price of $96,990, which includes a $1,395 destination fee, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing can be considered a bargain when compared to the heavier and more intricate BMW M5. It presents a raw and unapologetic American take on what a high-end luxury sport sedan can be.
Is this expense justified? It’s straightforward; for buyers eager to hit the track, this package offers genuine performance improvements that can significantly reduce lap times. For others who wish to check every option box, feel free to indulge—but keep in mind, this package will not detract from the Blackwing’s drivability on the streets. Unless you opt for the Cup 2 R tires, the difference will not resonate as a substantial leap in quality, and your barista at Starbucks likely won’t notice the extra expense.
The Precision Package indeed alters the driving dynamics of the CT5-V Blackwing, aligning it more with the CT4-V Blackwing, though it offers the edge of a 662-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 versus the 472-hp twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6. It excels on the racetrack, delivering a performance that feels more agile than its dimensions suggest. While it may not rival its smaller sibling in nimbleness, this vehicle has clearly benefited from effective marketing.
Image Source: Polina MB / Shutterstock
