Automotive
The Cadillac CT5-V rumor mill is spinning again, this time without the help of a supercharger as this latest development makes a strong follow-up to our previous report on a possible CT5-V Blackwing successor. As TheDrive.com pointed out after spotting a post from Andrea.sells.cadillac on Instagram, the claim is that the next CT5-V will be offered with a naturally aspirated V8 and a manual transmission. Cadillac has not confirmed that specific powertrain, but the brand has already confirmed that the CT5 will return as an internal-combustion product in the future.
That distinction matters. Cadillac’s official position is that the CT5 nameplate is not done, even as the current CT5 and CT5-V Blackwing head toward the end of this generation. What Cadillac has not announced is whether the next car will carry the CT5-V or Blackwing name, what engine it will use, or whether a manual gearbox will survive. The Instagram claim adds a new twist by suggesting the next CT5-V could move away from the current model’s twin-turbo V6 and toward a more traditional naturally aspirated V8 setup with both manual and automatic transmission choices.
If true, this would be huge news for enthusiasts. The current CT5-V Blackwing uses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with an available six-speed manual, while the regular CT5-V relies on a twin-turbocharged V6 and automatic transmission. A naturally aspirated V8 CT5-V would land somewhere very interesting in Cadillac’s performance hierarchy, potentially giving the next-generation sedan a more emotional, old-school character without necessarily replacing the full Blackwing formula outright. The rumored $70,000 to $80,000 price range would also line up more closely with today’s CT5-V than with the six-figure Blackwing.
The larger context is just as intriguing. The next CT5 is expected to share rear-drive architecture with future GM performance products, possibly including the long-rumored four-door Camaro-style Chevrolet sedan. That would make sense if GM is trying to preserve its rear-wheel-drive performance sedan formula while spreading development costs across multiple brands. A naturally aspirated V8 and manual transmission would also give Cadillac something almost no luxury rival offers anymore, especially now that the market has shifted so heavily toward electrification, crossovers, and automatic-only performance cars.
For now, this remains a claim worth watching rather than a confirmed product plan. Cadillac’s response to The Drive was that it does not comment on future product speculation, while reiterating that an internal-combustion CT5 is coming. That is not a confirmation, but it is also not a denial. If the next CT5-V really arrives with a naturally aspirated V8 and a manual transmission, it could become one of the most important American sport sedans since the Chevrolet SS and a proper continuation of Cadillac’s recent performance-car winning streak.
Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive professional with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in both business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and passion for the business side of the car world.
