Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Edition Goes Wild

685-HP Cadillac F1 Sedan Arrives

The moment I saw the first images of the new Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, one thing became clear. Cadillac is done asking for permission to sit at the Formula 1 table. It has arrived swinging.

Ahead of Cadillac’s inaugural Formula 1 home race in Miami, the brand unveiled one of the wildest American performance sedans I’ve seen in years. The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series is more than a limited-production special edition. It’s a rolling middle finger to anyone who still believes American luxury performance cannot stand beside Europe’s elite.

Limited Edition

Cadillac will build just 26 examples worldwide, a direct nod to the brand’s official Formula 1 debut in 2026. That exclusivity alone guarantees collector status, but the real story sits beneath the hood. Cadillac engineers pushed the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 even further, increasing output to 685 horsepower and 673 lb-ft of torque. That officially makes this the most powerful Blackwing Cadillac that has ever been produced.

And thankfully, Cadillac didn’t ruin the formula.

Every CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series comes equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. In a market drowning in numb automatic performance cars pretending to feel emotional, Cadillac continues to understand what enthusiasts actually want. Three pedals. A screaming supercharged V8. Rear-wheel-drive aggression. Real driver engagement.

That matters.

Design to look Sinister & Sexy

The Precision Package also comes standard, bringing carbon-ceramic brakes, chassis upgrades, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires into the equation. Cadillac didn’t build this car to sit under showroom lights beside an overpriced crossover. This thing was engineered to attack apexes.

Visually, the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series looks exactly how it should, sinister.

The Midnight Stone Frost exterior finish immediately grabs attention without relying on cartoonish graphics or fake aero tricks. Carbon Flash Metallic wheels, monochrome Cadillac crests, gloss black badging, and silver-accented carbon fibre bodywork give the sedan a serious motorsport presence. It feels mature, expensive, and aggressive all at once.

Inside, Cadillac kept the Formula 1 inspiration subtle but effective.

FIA and F1 branding appear throughout the cabin, while black leather upholstery with white contrast stitching keeps the atmosphere premium without becoming tacky. That restraint matters because too many manufacturers destroy special editions with overdesigned interiors that age terribly after six months.

What I appreciate most is that Cadillac didn’t build some soft luxury tribute car pretending to be motorsport-inspired. The CT5-V Blackwing was already one of the greatest driver’s sedans on sale today. This Collector Series simply amplifies what made the original brilliant.

And honestly, the timing could not be better.

Cadillac’s Formula 1 entry has already generated massive debate across the motorsport world. Some fans still question whether an American luxury brand belongs on the grid. Cars like this answer that criticism immediately. Cadillac understands performance heritage, engineering emotion, and how to create excitement around a product. The brand isn’t entering Formula 1 quietly. It’s making sure everyone hears the supercharger whine first.

The scary part? This may be the final era of cars like this altogether.

A hand-built supercharged V8 sedan with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel-drive balance, and Formula 1 branding sounds almost rebellious in today’s automotive industry. That alone makes the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series feel special beyond its production number.

Realistically, none of us will probably ever see one parked at the grocery store. With only 26 units planned for Canada and the United States combined, most will disappear into private collections immediately.

But that misses the point.

Cars like the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series exist to remind enthusiasts that emotion still matters. Noise still matters. Driver connection still matters. And for one glorious moment, Cadillac just reminded the entire industry how performance sedans are supposed to feel.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series will be on display during the F1 Canada Grand Prix weekend at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel (Agora Room).