My FH5 Log: Centennial Podium Reimagined

Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac. Three carmakers took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. I've been asked if I can reimagine the Le Mans' centennial podium as road cars, which car per brand will it be standing in the now-legendary podium and why?

My obvious choices for my Le Mans centennial podium reimagined as road cars are; the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Toyota GR Supra, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. When you do an improv on them, you'll know they had learnings from their now-legendary podium-standing equivalents in Le Mans.

The SF90 Stradale uses most of Scuderia Ferrari's motorsport know-how and the teachings from the LaFerrari to create the de-facto flagship PHEV hypercar that can dominate the road and track with surgical precision. Powering the SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid setup, a first for Ferrari, where the turbocharged F154 4.0L V8 engine, producing 780PS of power, is connected to three electric motors, two on the front axle and one between the engine and the 8-speed double-clutch gearbox, resulting to a monstrous 1,000PS of total power output that pushes the SF90 to a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 340kph.

The Toyota GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sportscars when it was launched in May 2019, a month after the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. Despite the BMW connection because it runs on the same mechanicals as the BMW Z4 G29, most speedo boys went for the Toyota rather than its BMW equivalent because, obviously, IT'S A TOYOTA. Powering the GR Supra is a choice of a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant, seen here, producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. Later updates gave a power hike on the 3.0L turbo engine as well as the implementation of a 6-speed manual gearbox, which made it slightly lighter and more fun.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing transforms the sober American businessman's car into a WMD for the road and track. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It also comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.

Judging by the performance the reimagined centennial podium possessed, there's no way I would have a three-way shootout between them because, truth be told, the SF90 will mince them both just as Ferrari crushed both Toyota and Cadillac in the Le Mans centennial anniversary race of 2023. I know, the CT5-V Blackwing's more powerful than the Supra but because the Supra is lighter, it slips through the American businessman's car gone mad at ease. Still, using the power of improv, I decided to give the reimagined Le Mans centennial podium a little talent show to demonstrate their native talents and with that, some makeovers.

Using Hana again? I'm starting to fall in love with my in-game GR Supra decorated with Aikatsu Planet's Hana because it has that "main character energy" on it, just like her. This is why I'm using her again for the little exhibition show I've run for her. A final encore, if you like.

The Wings on the Road, CT5-V Blackwing, is now peppered with a touch of Beat from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality well because driving the CT5-V Blackwing gives you the impression of pouring a bottle of cola into a teacup and sipping it in. I admire its level of sophistication as much as Beat herself. The CT5-V Blackwing is an awesome super saloon but today, the wings on the road's got Beat's name all over them, the equivalent of drinking cola out of a teacup. Classy, siddity, and elegance.

Lastly, Ferrari's de-facto flagship hypercar, the SF90, is now wrapped in the thorns of Rose from Aikatsu Planet. The toughest ones are always in the Ferrari and Ferrari is the alpha male of the supercar realm, making it the ideal role for the SF90 as Aikatsu Planet's toughest character, the final boss if you like. Up for a real challenge? You'll gonna have to take on her.

With my favorite cars mirrored in, it's time for the reimagined Le Mans centennial trio to have exhibition matches against Horizon's best drivers assembled including dummy drivers in reserve. Time to show these three what they're capable of and how Le Mans influenced sports cars like these. Send in the clips.

The trio put on a great show as if this was the last live show of their lives.

Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. When reimagined as road cars in the form of the SF90 Stradale, the GR Supra, and the CT5-V Blackwing, they really shine because of the learnings from their podium-standing equivalents, and when they're mirrored in, they can see their true colors.

Should the next Le Mans race come in, will Toyota mean revenge against Ferrari? Is Ferrari defending its Le Mans comeback? Or will there be another surprise in store? Only time will tell in the summer...

My FH5 Log: BLACK KNIGHT

I'd admit, of all the prize cars I've obtained from the FH5 Midnights at Horizon series update, my top picks will be both the CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing because I've requested these rides to be featured since the beginning and I've enjoyed them.

Having enjoyed both of the Blackwing sedans in the game, it's time to find out which of these two Blackwings is the Black Knight, pun intended.

Time for a quick refresher with the two Blackwing sedans. The CT4-V Blackwing uses the same 3.6L Twin-Turbo engine as its predecessor, the ATS-V, but it's been upgraded to produce 472HP of power and 445lb-ft of torque. It's been mated to a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that delivers a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 189mph. 

The CT5-V Blackwing, meanwhile,  combines raw V8 performance and track-honed performance into the pinnacle of the Cadillac V-Series. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph.

Both of these high-performance saloons are fun to drive and easy to get hooked on but there can only be one as these two black knights come face-to-face in a hill climb sprint, finding out which of these two is the fastest. Whether it is the handling delight from the turbocharged CT4-V Blackwing or the raw supercharged V8 power of the CT5-V Blackwing, it's the final judgment for these two top Republicans as it's time to find out who will come on top. Send in the clip.

And now, the results;

CT4-V Blackwing - 3m20.951s

CT5-V Blackwing - 3m14.094s

Guess the folks from Cadillac were right after all, the CT5-V Blackwing truly is "the most powerful Cadillac ever".

The supercharged CT5-V Blackwing has proven its worth as the black knight in shining armor and with such power and prestige, you'd better watch for it because it's easy to fall by the black knight's bitter blade in the dead of night.

Although the Midnights at Horizon update is over, I still have some work to do with the two Blackwings because I'm starting to hatch a brainwave out of these two. Watch this space.

My FH5 Log: Black Wing Down

The final-generation Cadillac CTS-V was once hailed as the most powerful Cadillac ever made because of the supercharged V8 engine that made it possible. It truly is the king of the V-Series range at that moment in time.

As the CTS-V's reign is complete, a worthy successor steps into the spotlight.

What could this be?

This is the one I'm talking about. It's called the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the ultimate Cadillac ever built. Obtained from the Midnights at Horizon's Storm Season Playlist for 20 points, I finally got my hands on what's known to be Cadillac's Force Majeure. The king of the caddies if you would like to call it.

So, what is the CT5-V Blackwing, you may ask? Based on the CT5 flagship sedan, the CT5-V Blackwing combines raw V8 performance and track-honed performance into the pinnacle of the Cadillac V-Series. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. Enough to embarrass the Germans on the road and track.

Apart from that, the CT5-V Blackwing comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.

With the CT5-V Blackwing making its grand entrance at Forza Horizon 5, it's time to find out if this is the worthy successor to the now-ancient CTS-V sedan, and with that, it's time to take it to the streets of Guanajuato at the dead of night. Time to let the black knights uncaged for a game of joust. Roll the tape.

As the black knights charged toward the end of Guanajuato, here are the results;

CTS-V - 2m:34.488s

CT5-V Blackwing - 2m28.065s

I was right after all. The CT5-V Blackwing truly is the successor to the old CTS-V after all. It managed to beat its ancestor at the near-six-second mark. Impressive, I should say.

The CT5-V Blackwing is Cadillac at its core and as the age of ICE is nearing its endgame, this will be the one to go for, although the most powerful Dodge Charger Hellcat will trump the CT5-V Blackwing in the game of, well, Top Trumps. I got to say that with such performance and dynamics, it's going to be my new favorite Cadillac in the game.

The CT5-V Blackwing is not the only Blackwing making the rounds at Forza Horizon 5's Midnights at Horizon. There's another one coming so stay tuned...

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing

The arrival of the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing gave speedo boys what the regular V saloons have been missing from the start; muscle car performance and track-honed dynamics that can scare the Germans straight, not to mention the fact that it comes with proper 6-speed MT no German high-performance monsters dared to have.

2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

We begin with the CT4-V Blackwing, Cadillac's answer to the already hideous-looking BMW M3 G80. Priced at a super-expensive 58,995 US Dollars plus additional costs, the CT4-V Blackwing picks up where the normal CT4-V failed to deliver. By adding some steroids to the normal CT4-V, the Blackwing is a different kind of beast that loves to tackle through the hollow mountain roads before setting off for another day at the track and you'll be going to love the way it looks and feels when you take it for a joyride.

2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

Under the hood, the ordinary CT4-V's 2.7L turbocharged engine has been replaced with the 3.6L Twin-Turbo engine derived from its predecessor, the ATS-V, but it's been upgraded to produce 472HP of power and 445lb-ft of torque, which is darn less than what the M3 Competition had but no matter because the CT4-V Blackwing is offered with the choice of a speedo boy favorite 6-speed manual gearbox and a bulkier 10-speed automatic gearbox that propels this CT4-V on steroids to a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 189mph. That's an improvement compared to the old ATS-V but when compared to the ugly-looking M3, it's too close to call.

In terms of dynamics, the CT4-V Blackwing behaves like a muscle car. Dynamic and dangerous in every way. Despite its M3 sizing, this is a highly-advanced, high-performance sports sedan made for the experts and pros on the track, and it takes a serious amount of skill to understand how its eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0 works. Once settled, the CT4-V Blackwing is as enjoyable as a loose-cannon cowboy in the Wild West.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

After you had fun with the CT4-V Blackwing, you should try out the CT5-V Blackwing, the ultimate Cadillac sports saloon ever built. Priced at 83,995 US Dollars plus additional costs, it's the most expensive four-door Cadillac ever sold, and when fully kitted with extras, its six-figure price tag will leave your bank account in shreds and tears. No, not the watery stuff coming out of your eyes.

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing interior

By turning an ordinary CT5-V into a monster machine, the Blackwing is the ultimate expression of the V-Series mantra, delivering motorsport-level performance on the road and track. Don't let its executive looks fool you because this is an American Blend muscle car that smokes more than a carton of American Blend cigarettes. This is flavor country on wheels and it's highly addictive to drive than the Germans.

Just like its little brother, the normal CT5-V's 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 engine was swapped to a 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine derived from the old CTS-V and the Corvette C7 Z06 but it has been upgraded to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It may be slower than the world's most powerful four-door saloon, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye. but it will eat the Germans for breakfast, lunch, and tea, even midnight snacks.

Performance aside, the CT5-V Blackwing comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others. When you take it to the track, you can really experience its muscle car vibes from within. It's surprisingly dynamic but challenging in every way and it's about as challenging as, let's say, studying IELTS nonsense all day long until your brain melts. This is what the CT5-V Blackwing is all about, delivering a gut-wrenching performance that will put the German opposition on notice.

By the time the normal CT4-V and CT5-V arrived, they were not what speedo boys hoped for but they were built for balance on the road and track. With the Blackwing variants, these saloons are bursting with mayhem and with such dynamic and challenging performance, these are what the speedo boys finally want. They really made Cadillac great again.

Photo: General Motors

Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V

The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans have gained the letter V but this is not the V that speedo boys are expecting because...well, let's find out what went wrong with the V-word.

The newest V-series machines from Cadillac, the CT4-V (priced at $44,495 plus additional costs) and the CT5-V (priced at $47,695 plus additional costs) are the sporty additions of the new Cadillac sedan range but unlike past V cars, these new additions went to the wrong side of the performance ladder. The reason? They've repositioned the V-series to compete against semi-high performance Euro imports, say an S4 or an S6 or the 53 AMG models.

Whatever the reason, these two new V sedans are looking for fun in all the wrong barrels because of what lies ahead under the hood. On the CT4-V, the engine that powers it is a 2.7L turbocharged engine producing over 320hp of power. On the CT5-V, it's a 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 producing over 355HP of power. Compared to its predecessors such as the ATS-V and the CTS-V, that's a big loss of power and speedo boys might think they're a bunch of C-list performers on the road.

While speed and power are out of their agenda, both the CT4-V and the CT5-V are well-balanced sports sedans that blend the right balance of performance and dynamics. Running on the Alpha architecture like its normal equivalents and coupled with cool features such as e-LSD, V-series Performance Chassis with MRC, Brembo brakes, and Vehicle Control Mode, these saloons are nearly perfect on the bends, which is not bad for rear-wheel drives. Couple that with the available all-wheel-drive drivetrain and they're as balanced as a magnum revolver. Bulky but packs a lot of punch from the get-go.

One word of alarming for speedo boys everywhere is that both models do come with the optional Super Cruise which goes autonomously in the name of safety.

These new V-models are not what speedo boys hoped for but they're built for balance on the road and track.

Photo: General Motors

Cadillac CT5 vs. XT6

Unlike most American car brands that shifting its focus to SUVs and trucks, Cadillac is one of the few American car brands to stick around with sedans for longer even though their SUV lineup is growing. One such example is the all-new replacement to the world-class CTS premium sedan known as the CT5 and this is what happens when you bring ASMR to a whole new meaning on luxury.

2020 Cadillac CT5

With prices start at 36,895 Dollars plus on-road costs, the CT5 really is a 5-Series in 3-Series money because like the CTS it replaces, the CT5 is aimed squarely at the likes of premium middle-sized saloons such as the 5-Series, E-Class, A6, G80, and the now-defunct GS.

2020 Cadillac CT5

So what's all about the design, you may ask? Well, for starters, the CT5 is the first Cadillac to feature a brand new design language first previewed by the Escala Concept from the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and this new signature design really is Cadillac at its best. From Los Angeles to Beijing, one look of the CT5's design really means big business for the typical businessman who wants to spend some quality time on the road after a hard day's work and speaking of quality time, let's have a look at the interior.

2020 Cadillac CT5 interior

The CT5's interior really is like an office on wheels and no matter which status you're on, the drive-or-be-driven atmosphere this new age American premium sedan delivers is worth resonating to toy around in your spare time. In the driver's side, you can toy around with its high-definition 10-inch touchscreen which takes control of all of the features such as navigation, satellite radio, smartphone connectivity, wi-fi, and more, as well as other conveniences at your arsenal. 

On the passengers' side, the longer wheelbase really spells space for the clients who want to let their legs rest freely after one stressful day at the office or at the country club and as for the boot space, they're good enough to carry some stuff for the trip to the country club any day.

2020 Cadillac CT5

Although being America, the CT5 really drives like a European luxury car full stop thanks to its clever suspension setup that really racks up nicely through the bends. It may be more dramatic to drive than the CTS but once you get used to it, you'll find that the CT5 is one of the best American saloons ever made in ages and for a dying breed, it's not half bad.

Under the hood, the CT5 is powered by a choice of a 2.0 Twin-Scroll Turbo engine or the more powerful 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 engine that produces 335hp of power and 542Nm of torque. They're all fitted to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, which sounds too much for a luxury car.

Of course, the CT5 has loads of safety tech in store but there's not enough time to talk about it because while I'm impressed about how the CT5 satisfies its customers with its dynamics, style, comfort, and performance, it's unclear if this one piece of the dying breed of American sedans may last a lifetime, almost, because since America is dominated by crossovers, the CT5 is expected to feel the pinch from this...

2020 Cadillac XT6

This is the first-ever Cadillac XT6 and despite the very expensive 52,695 Dollar price tag, this three-row crossover is proof that why Cadillac expanded their SUV portfolio with their newest addition, which is basically a poshed-up Chevrolet Traverse or something.

2020 Cadillac XT6 interior

2020 Cadillac XT6 interior

Like the CT5, the XT6 is the first crossover to utilize the Escala-inspired looks and this is the first Cadillac crossover to have three-row seating and while this is too expensive to be used for a family car, the XT6 snuggles nicely with the VIPs and escorts very well and this is the cut-price Escalade everyone's looking for. With all of the rugged styling, all of the seating capacity, all of the tech, and all of the space, the XT6 is a luxury crossover that is all about getting the job done from start to finish, although unsure about how it performs.

2020 Cadillac XT6

Powering the XT6 is a 3.6L DOHC V6 engine which produces 310hp of power and mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. It even comes with Active Fuel Management which shuts down some of the cylinders while taking casual driving on the city centers. 

That's clever indeed but in terms of driving, the XT6, like most crossovers, almost behaves like a luxury sedan thanks to its clever suspension setup that tickles the drivers' fancies when turning and with the Twin-Clutch AWD design, it's hard to say how much of a threat the XT6 is when it goes head-to-head against the CT5 but even though the CT5 is better to handle than the XT6, the XT6 wins it all because it's got more space, more seats, and that's it. End of discussion.

Of course, Cadillac will keep making sedans like the CT5 but with SUVs getting more of a mainstream on today's motoring world, it's hard to say how much lifespan will the CT5 survive and as the naysayers and conspiracy theorists might ask, it won't be long but who cares? The CT5 is just one of the virtually extinct breed of American sedans that needs a lot of attention and when it does, there's hope in the horizon.

Photo: General Motors