The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has received a refresh along with the rest of the CT5 lineup. The most notable addition is an $18,000 Precision Package that significantly upgrades the Blackwing’s handling capabilities. Cadillac’s executive chief engineer, Brandon Vivian, secured approval for the project from GM’s management. I don’t know about you, but I want one.
This shifts the company’s focus slightly away from its goal of becoming an all-electric brand by 2030. The Precision Package will be available in early 2025. It is a comprehensive handling upgrade that includes stickier tires, suspension and chassis tweaks, and software updates to maximize the increased grip.
The package features 275/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR19 rear Michelin Cup 2 R tires, which are essentially street-legal slick tires. However, Cadillac’s Chief Engineer, Alex MacDonald, points out that just switching to these tires without the rest of the package would not allow owners to fully utilize the vehicle’s potential.
The Precision Package includes stiffer front springs, new front dampers with revised cartridges, a stiffer front sway bar, and new front knuckles that add more negative camber. The magnetic damper tuning, stability control, and traction control calibrations have also been updated to take advantage of the extra grip. The rear springs and dampers have received similar thorough upgrades.
These changes result in minimal differences in daily drivability on the street. The CT5-V Blackwing is still sharp and responsive.
Handling-focused upgrade for Cadillac Blackwing
The improved handling makes it even more livable without sacrificing comfort unless you opt for the more track-focused Cup 2 R tires. The Precision Package makes a big difference in the CT5-V Blackwing’s dynamics and lap times on the track. Cadillac set up tests at Atlanta Motorsports Park.
They noted that the Precision Package cars could carry more speed through corners and had better stability and grip. This was especially noticeable through the esses of turns 2 and 3. The upgrades allow the CT5-V Blackwing to perform more like its smaller sibling, the CT4-V Blackwing.
However, due to its lighter weight, the CT4-V Blackwing’s natural agility still gives it an advantage. Specific improvements on the track include better handling through high-stress turns, which translates to faster lap times. The best-recorded laps with the Precision Package were 2-3 seconds quicker than the standard Blackwing.
Professional driver Jordan Taylor achieved even faster times. In addition to the performance upgrades, the 2025 CT5-V Blackwing gets some minor visual and functional updates. New headlights improve the vehicle’s looks and provide better performance in wet and misty conditions.
Overall, the 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, especially with the Precision Package, offers a significant performance boost on both the street and the track. The extra investment seems worth the extra investment for enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their vehicle.
