The Cadillac V-Series model engineer has spoken.
The BMW M5 as well as the Mercedes-AMG E63S are both German performance sedans that come with all-wheel drivetrains. To the west, Cadillac’s four-door competitors, the HTML5-V Blackwing as well as the smaller HTML4-V Blackwing remain loyal to the rear-wheel drive formula. Why?
Interview with Cadillac Society Mirza Grebovic, Cadillac’s performance variants managers, shared some answers with those who were curious. Grebovic is responsible for all V-Series models, including the Blackwing models.
Grebovic claims that the team wanted to keep the Blackwing model drivers’ cars, which led to Grebovic’s decision to remain rear-wheel-driven. He stated that the Cadillac V-Series was a result of motorsports. The Cadillac brand does not have any motorsports applications with all-wheel-drive.
There’s also the obvious. Grebovic mentioned the weight penalty that comes with having to drive all four tires, as well as the complexity, cost, and engineering challenges. He said that Blackwing models are powerful and that his team wants to celebrate “the art” of driving.
Grebovic referred to this last bit as driving in dry, good weather, on the track, or on canyon roads.
Despite this, Grebovic doesn’t say that the Blackwings can’t be driven on snow. You can drive the Blackwings on snow with careful driving and the right winter tires.
The CT5-V Blackwing’s lack of an all-wheel drivetrain didn’t seem to be a problem for the 500 first owners. Each model was limited to 250 units, which were quickly sold at launch.