Cadillac CT5-V/Blackwing

 

The CT5 is Cadillac's current mid-size sedan, and the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing are its performance-focused versions. Cadillac debuted the CT5 for the 2020 model year to replace the CTS and follow a new nomenclature for nearly all of its models, with the V model following the standard model for 2021 and the more hardcore V Blackwing for 2022. The V-Series models are undoubtedly the most exciting of all CT5s, and although the V and V Blackwing are quite similar, there are stark differences between the two performance versions of the CT5. 

First, an overview of the CT5-V. The V is basically the equivalent to the S version of Audi models, Mercedes-AMG 43/53 models, and BMW M models with two or more digits after the M designation (i.e. M550i, X7 M50i). In other words, it is the entry-level performance model right below the top-of-the-line, true performance model. Powering the CT5-V is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 368 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and tops out at 156 mph. The CT5 features an improved interior design and interface but in some ways doesn't perform as well as the CTS that it replaces. It features a spacious cabin with the latest tech, such as Cadillac's semi-autonomous Super Cruise system. The CT5's cabin is also crafted in leather with wood and aluminum trim pieces but uses cheap black plastic in some areas as well.

Now onto the more extreme CT5-V Blackwing. The Blackwing is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque paired to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic. It makes the dash from zero to 60 mph 3.4 seconds and is capable of a top speed of over 200 mph. Besides the large V8 and significant increase in performance, the CT5-V Blackwing adds magnetorheological dampers for better handling, more aggressive carbon fiber front, side, and rear splitters, side vents, and bigger wheels and brakes to further differentiate it from other CT5 trims. The CT5-V Blackwing will also be the last of its kind, as GM indicated that performance cars like this will be  fully electric after its production run ends. 

Pricing starts at around $50,000 for the CT5-V and around $90,000 for the CT5-V Blackwing. As for the examples featured in this post, my local Cadillac dealer had two CT5-V Blackwings and one CT5-V during my most recent visit there two months ago. The V Blackwings were especially the main attraction leading me to go out of my way to see them up close. Overall, the Cadillac CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing are great sport and performance sedans, especially the V Blackwing. However, although the CT5-V and CT5-V Blackwing are solid and cool vehicles, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S still reigns supreme among super sedans.

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Hennessey Venom F5

 

The Venom F5 is Hennessey Performance's second-ever completely in-house supercar, succeeding the Venom GT. The Houston, Texas-based aftermarket company is mainly known for its insane tuning kits for muscle cars, sports cars, and trucks. It first ventured into the supercar manufacturing business in 2011 with the Venom GT, which was basically a larger, longer, and faster Lotus Elise/Exige. Only fairly recently did Hennessey begin rolling out its second-generation supercar, the Venom F5, publicly and to customers. The "F5" part of its name refers to the highest, strongest, and most destructive category of tornado. Powering the Venom F5 is a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 1,817 horsepower and 1,193 lb-ft of torque mated to a 7-speed single-clutch automated manual gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, zero to 124 mph in 4.7 seconds, and has a claimed top speed of 301 mph. The Venom F5's body and chassis are constructed almost entirely of carbon fiber. Its interior is more comfortable and spacious than it looks, capable of accommodating drivers and passengers of all heights and sizes. The cabin also features a yoke/racing-style steering wheel, a 9-inch center touchscreen infotainment system, and a digital gauge cluster that is slightly smaller than the infotainment screen. In total, the Venom F5 weighs in at around 3000 pounds.

The roadster version of the Venom F5 (pictured below) made its debut at The Quail this year as part of Monterey Car Week. It features a 40-pound carbon fiber removable top that can be removed and installed with ease and a unique set of seven-spoke aluminum wheels. Only 24 examples of the fixed-roof Venom F5 and 30 examples of the Venom F5 roadster will ever be made, with pricing starting at around $3 million. Three Venom F5 coupes and one Venom F5 roadster were on display at Exotics on Broadway in Monterey last month, with Hennessey Performance having one of the most significant displays and presences at this year's show. Overall, the Hennessey Venom F5 is an amazing and absolutely insane car that not many people know of or will ever get to see up close, but looks stunning and goes incredibly fast.

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Toyota Avalon TRD

 

 Like with select Toyota models, the full-size Avalon received the sporty and performance-focused TRD treatment for the 2020 and 2021 model years. However, it may not look like it at first glance, but what makes the TRD version of the Avalon so intriguing is that it is one of the rarest and most unusual Toyotas in recent memory. Powering the Avalon TRD is a 3.5-liter V6 producing 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, which are the same engine, transmission, and power figures as the standard Avalon. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Key components separating the TRD from the regular Avalon include a sport suspension, body kit, stiffened chassis, bigger brakes with red calipers, lower ride height, 19-inch wheels, red contrast stitching, sport exhaust, and TRD sport seats and shift knob. It has a large black grille up front, but only a small portion of it is functional. 

Pricing for the Toyota Avalon TRD started at around $43,000 when it was available as a trim package from the factory. As for the Avalon in general, it will be replaced by the Crown in North America in 2023, and its successor has a lifted presence in comparison. Overall, the Avalon TRD is a rare and strange vehicle, which makes it interesting to me. I have seen roughly three Avalon TRDs in the past few months, including the one above, making these the only examples I ever remember spotting anywhere. In addition, my favorite automotive YouTuber, Doug DeMuro, reviewed one a few years ago and convinced me to be on the lookout for these since they are such bizarre vehicles from a mainstream, conventional automaker like Toyota. The Avalon in general is a decent but rather uninspiring family sedan geared towards comfort, but TRD spiced it up, creating a car unlike very few, if any other in existence.

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Koenigsegg CCX

 

The CCX is Koenigsegg's third-ever production model and the first-ever Koenigsegg model to be sold in the U.S. It is an evolution of of its predecessor, the CCR, but a completely new vehicle in comparison. The CCX, which stands for Competition Coupe X, made its debut in 2006 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the first Koenigsegg CC prototype in 1996. Powering the CCX is a 4.7-liter twin-supercharged V8 producing 806 horsepower and 693 lb-ft of torque paired to either a traditional six-speed manual or a six-speed sequential manual gearbox. It launches from zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and is capable of a top speed of over 245 mph. Like other Koenigsegg models before and after, the CCX's body and chassis are constructed from carbon fiber infused with kevlar and aluminum, and features a removable hardtop and dihedral doors.

Only 30 total units of the CCX were built from 2006 to 2010, along with a handful of other renditions of it, before it was replaced by the Agera. Pricing for the CCX started at $700,000 when new and is now worth around $1.3 million today. The Agera was an evolution of the CCX and featured updated styling, performance, and technology over its predecessor. Of those 30 total examples, three of them were on display at this year's Exotics on Broadway in Monterey almost a month ago. It isn't as fascinating as its successors and other Koenigsegg models that came after it, specifically the Agera, Regera, and Jesko, but the CCX is an absolutely amazing, ultra-rare supercar that will blow anyone's socks off. Along with the other Koenigsegg and Pagani models on display at Exotics on Broadway that I previously featured on this site, these three CCXs stood out to me more than most vehicles there.

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