Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Ends Last V8 Manual Sedan

The 668-horsepower Blackwing is the final new V8, manual, rear-wheel-drive sedan sold in the United States.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Performance Vehicles

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Ends Last V8 Manual Sedan

Live Poll

Would you consider buying a new car with a manual transmission?

Cadillac's CT5-V Blackwing is the only new sedan sold in America that pairs a V8 engine, a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive. Its current production run ends at the close of this model year.

Why it matters

The Blackwing's departure removes a niche option for enthusiasts who prefer a driver-controlled sedan over all-wheel-drive and dual-clutch alternatives. It marks a notable end point for combustion-powered performance sedans in the U.S. market.

The supercharged 6.2-liter V8 produces 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque, with the standard six-speed Tremec manual. The F1 Collector Series, limited to 26 cars, raises output to 685 hp and 673 lb-ft.

The players

Cadillac

Cadillac is General Motors' luxury brand, which builds the CT5-V Blackwing and has positioned it as a performance sedan alternative to European rivals.

BMW

BMW is a German automaker known for its M performance division, which shifted the M5 to all-wheel drive and eliminated its manual transmission.

The details

Cadillac kept the six-speed manual when it refreshed the CT5-V Blackwing for 2025, citing nearly 50 percent of 2023 buyers choosing it. The manual includes No-Lift Shift and Active Rev-Matching to make heel-toe downshifts easier, while the long wheelbase and chassis are tuned for throttle-induced rotation. Meanwhile, BMW moved the M5 to all-wheel drive and dropped its manual, and Dodge and Lexus have discontinued the Challenger and GS F.

2023: Buyers showed a nearly 50 percent manual take rate.
2025: Cadillac refreshed the CT5-V Blackwing and kept the manual.
Earlier in 2026: Cadillac released the F1 Collector Series limited run.
Close of current model year: CT5-V Blackwing production ends.

Roadmap

The CT5-V Blackwing's exit follows BMW's M5 move to all-wheel drive and the end of its manual, leaving the segment's performance sedans increasingly reliant on automatic and dual-clutch gearboxes. Its replacement path is unconfirmed, so whether a rear-wheel-drive manual sedan returns to U.S. showrooms remains an open question for the industry.

Buyers seeking a V8, manual, rear-wheel-drive sedan in the U.S. will need to act before the current CT5-V Blackwing production ends at the close of this model year. Once the model is gone, the only comparable options will require accepting automatic or all-wheel-drive configurations.

The takeaway

If you want a manual, V8 rear-wheel-drive sedan, the CT5-V Blackwing's current run is the last window to buy new in the United States. Check dealer inventory before the model year closes.