Hagerty has been cranking out some awesome content lately, and we at GMEFI Magazine have been sharing some of their videos because they’re too interesting, relevant or engaging not to. In this case, they pit a brand new CT5-V Blackwing against the fastest Tesla you can get your hands on, and a BMW M5 CS. Make no mistake; all of these cars are fast, luxurious, expensive and seen as the ultimate of their marque.
Being who we are, we’re definitely “Team Cadillac” but we’re not going o deny the performance and tech of the other two cars. However, the V-Series Caddy is certainly a standout from the other two, as it’s the closest to a “pure” driving machine in its traditional form. A supercharged 6.2L V8 that cranks out 668hp that’s backed with a six-speed manual transmission, the engine is largely carried over from the old CTS-V, with a few tweaks for more power ,while the third pedal is a welcome throwback to earlier generations. In fact, the CT5-V Blackwing isn’t even available with an automatic transmission; a trait that mimics the first-generation CTS-V.
With that said, the cars that the V directly competes with in this video, and in the real world, it’s something of a dinosaur. While it cranks out more horsepower than the BMW M5 CS, it’s at a disadvantage in that department with the Tesla Model S Plaid. The Caddy also only relies on the rear wheels for motivation, which puts it at a disadvantage in the off-the-line-acceleration department. For those looking for the lowest quarter-mile-elapsed-time-in-stock-format recipe, it might be a turnoff for you. However, if you’re in the market for a car that’s more raw, pure, loud, and puts a genuine smile on your face, even Hagerty agrees, it’s the CT5-V. The video attached is thirty-minutes long and it’s probably one of the best videos your author has ever watched in recent months. When you have some time to spare, you need to give it a view.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the brand’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.