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General Motors performance chief Tony Roma says Cadillac is no longer designing the CT5-V Blackwing to compete directly with another luxury sedan. He described the car as a distinct model built around what Cadillac and its customers want, while GM has confirmed a next-generation CT5 and Blackwing on a rear-wheel-drive platform. Details of the next Blackwing’s specifications and timing remain unclear.
General Motors is no longer positioning the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing as a direct challenger to BMW or another specific rival, performance chief engineer Tony Roma said in an interview with The Drive. Roma described the car as a distinctive expression of Cadillac’s own priorities, as GM has confirmed a next-generation CT5 and Blackwing on a rear-wheel-drive platform.
Asked on The Drivecast how GM views the Blackwing’s place in the market, Roma said, “We’re not competing head-to-head with anyone anymore.” He said the company’s approach is to build a sedan it wants to buy, rather than define the car primarily against competitors. “With Blackwing and with CT5 in general, we’re making a car that we want to buy,” he said.
Roma said Blackwing is an extension of Cadillac’s V-Series performance lineup, not a separate sub-brand. He also connected the V-Series to Cadillac’s effort to establish itself as a modern luxury marque, a program he said has been under way for nearly 25 years. The CT5-V Blackwing has drawn attention for retaining a rear-wheel-drive layout and manual transmission in a luxury performance sedan.
The source report says GM has confirmed a new-generation CT5, CT5-V and Blackwing using a rear-wheel-drive platform. It also reports that the next CT5-V will offer a naturally aspirated V8 and manual transmission. Roma’s comments do not supply a launch date, pricing or full technical specifications for those future cars.
A Different Measure of Cadillac Performance
Roma said GM is no longer defining the Blackwing primarily in relation to a direct rival. His comments frame the car around Cadillac’s own priorities rather than a head-to-head comparison. The Blackwing combines a rear-wheel-drive platform, V8 power and a manual option, features that distinguish its stated configuration from some competing performance sedans.
Roma also addressed why Cadillac continues to make a performance sedan that he acknowledged is not a high-volume seller. He said the car reflects the kind of luxury and driving experience the company wants to offer, and that buyers respond to its distinctiveness. These comments describe Roma’s view of GM’s strategy; they do not establish a change in the model’s sales or business case.
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From German Rivals to a Distinct Formula
Cadillac began its modern push into performance luxury with the CTS, which debuted about 23 years before Roma’s interview, according to The Drive’s account. Roma said Cadillac was then trying to prove it deserved a place alongside established luxury brands. He described the V-Series as part of the effort to reposition Cadillac and give it a performance offering.
Roma said the market has since shifted: he pointed to rival sedans becoming larger and adopting all-wheel drive and hybrid systems, citing the current BMW M5’s weight as an example. His comparison was an observation about how the segment has changed, not a claim that every competitor follows the same formula. The Blackwing, by contrast, continues to emphasize a rear-drive, driver-focused setup.
The distinction is particularly relevant to buyers seeking a manual luxury sedan. Roma asked, “Name me another rear-wheel drive manual, nimble sedan?” That was his description of the Blackwing’s unusual market position, rather than a comprehensive survey of every available model.
““We’re not competing head-to-head with anyone anymore.””
— Tony Roma, GM executive chief engineer for the Chevrolet Corvette and performance cars, speaking to The Drivecast
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Future Blackwing Details Still Pending
The source material does not provide a launch date, pricing, performance figures or complete equipment list for the next-generation CT5-V Blackwing. GM has confirmed the next CT5 and Blackwing will use a rear-wheel-drive platform, and The Drive reports that the CT5-V is set to offer a naturally aspirated V8 and manual option. Further details, including whether those choices will be available across versions or markets, have not been stated in the material provided.
Roma’s comments also do not establish whether Cadillac will stop comparing the Blackwing with competitors in marketing, or whether GM’s sales targets or product strategy have changed. His remarks describe how he sees the car’s identity; they do not show that the Blackwing has no competitors in every practical or price-based comparison.
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Awaiting the Next CT5 Reveal
The next major milestone is further information from GM about the next-generation CT5 and Blackwing, including timing, specifications and pricing. The company has confirmed the rear-wheel-drive platform, while the reported V8 and manual offering for the CT5-V points to continuity with the current model’s enthusiast-focused formula.
Until GM releases those details, buyers and fans have Roma’s account of the Blackwing’s intended role but not a complete picture of the next car. The model’s stated direction is clear; how it will be priced and positioned when it reaches showrooms is not.
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Key Questions
Is Cadillac ending the CT5-V Blackwing?
No. GM has confirmed a next-generation CT5 and Blackwing on a rear-wheel-drive platform. The source does not give a launch date.
What did GM mean by saying the Blackwing has no direct rival?
Tony Roma said GM is no longer competing head-to-head with a specific model. He described the Blackwing as a car shaped around Cadillac’s own preferences and a distinctive driving experience, not as a vehicle without comparable alternatives.
Will the next CT5-V have a V8 and manual transmission?
The Drive report says the next CT5-V will offer a naturally aspirated V8 and manual transmission. GM’s full specifications and availability details were not included in the source material.
When will the next Blackwing arrive?
No release timing is stated in the available report. GM has confirmed the next generation is coming but has not provided a date in the source material.
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