Inside the Factory Where Cadillac Builds the Last Manual V8 Sport Sedan

Performance Starts Here

Despite the market shift toward prioritizing crossovers and SUVs, Cadillac is going against the tide by continuing to sell sedans with the CT4 and CT5, with the latter offering a track-ready trim known as the V-Series Blackwing. General Motors recently shared behind-the-scenes footage showing how this performance luxury sedan is produced as it approaches the end of its production run following the 2026 model year.

All units are built at GM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Michigan, with the automaker remaining tight-lipped about the model’s year-to-year production figures. What is known is that the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing—widely considered a spiritual successor to the CTS-V—was introduced for the 2022 model year as a direct rival to models such as the BMW M5.

The Last of Its Kind

The BTS footage highlights how each unit moves through the paint shop before reaching the “marriage” stage, a process plant director Troy Comiskey described as the moment when the engine is joined to the chassis.

For reference, the CT5-V Blackwing is powered by a hand-crafted 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. This setup represents a significant step up from the non-Blackwing CT5-V, which uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 360 horsepower. As standard, the Blackwing sends power to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission, making it one of the few remaining high-performance sedans still available with a stick shift—and the last to pair one with a V8—though a 10-speed automatic can be specified as an option.

GM also showcased several automated processes inside the plant, including robots applying a bead of sealant around the windshield and a mechanism known as the “multiple,” which simultaneously tightens all lug nuts to precise torque specifications in just a few seconds.

The automaker additionally highlighted the Cadillac House, where customers are introduced to the Curated by Cadillac program. Echoing programs such as the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the initiative allows buyers to spec the CT5-V Blackwing with an extensive range of colors and bespoke customizations, resulting in one-of-one builds and a fitting farewell for the model.

As the Clock Ticks Down

At present, no reports confirm a direct Blackwing successor. However, the next-generation CT5 is expected to retain a combustion engine, reflecting Cadillac’s decision to step back from its earlier plan to transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2030. Its smaller sibling, the CT4, will not follow the same path and is set to be discontinued after June 2026.

The 2026 CT5-V Blackwing carries a starting price of $98,900, while pricing under the Curated by Cadillac program begins at around $158,000.