To most of us, the big news about the 2022 Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing sports sedans is the standard 6-speed manual transmissions. Sure, a stock 4-door capable to ticking 200 mph is a big deal as well.
But to Brembo, the big deal about the Blackwings isn’t their top speeds but their safe return to sanity from such speeds.
“The new performance sedans will employ Brembo lightweight technology on all four corners of the brand’s flagship super sedans,” the Italian-based brake company said in a news release.
“A high-performance cast-iron disc system is standard on both vehicles, while Brembo’s most advanced carbon-ceramic brake system will be available on the supercharged, 668-horsepower CT5-V Blackwing— a first-of-its-kind option for Cadillac.”
Brembo North America president Dan Sandberg noted that the new brakes mark the 15th year and fourth generation of technology with Brembo as a supplier to Cadillac.
“The Brembo carbon ceramic brake package on the CT5-V Blackwing will save 28.8kg (63.5 pounds), further heightening the athleticism of this super sedan,” Sanberg said. “The unique, new Tech Bronze color of the large Brembo Calipers peering through the CT5-V’s wheels, accentuate the performance, sophistication and confident look of the CT5-V Blackwing. We even went so far as to etch the V-Series logo into the bell of the carbon disc.”
Brembo, also a major supplier to Formula One racing teams and other high-performance sports car automakers, has been producing carbon-ceramic discs since 2002. Cadillac’s DPi-V.R racing car just won its fourth consecutive Rolex 24 at Daytona race using Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes.
“The optional Cadillac carbon-ceramic package for the CT5-V Blackwing features a six-piston monobloc aluminum caliper with radiated pistons on the front for increased thermal dissipation,” Brembo said. “All four of the brake calipers communicate to the ECU with electric pad-wear sensors, another first for Cadillac.
“The pads feature a copper-free friction material, formulated for both comfort and performance. The pads, contained within six piston front calipers, clamp on to large 400mm (15.75 in.) diameter carbon-ceramic discs weighing in at 7.5kg (16.5 lbs.) per disc. At the rear are 370mm (14.5 in.) diameter discs weighing 5.8kg (12.8 lbs.) with bespoke four piston aluminum calipers.”
The standard cast-iron brake system for the Blackwings will use Brembo’s six-piston aluminum calipers paired with a 398mm (15.6 in.) diameter disc weighing 16.6kg (36.6 lbs.) at the front and with four-piston aluminum two-piece calipers with 374mm (14.72 in.) discs weighing 11.1kg (24.5 lbs.) at the rear.
“When in park, Brembo’s electronic parking brake caliper — another first for Cadillac — will hold the V-Series Blackwings at a standstill with the press of a button,” Brembo added. “The EPB system eliminates the need for added foot or hand levers and is actuated electronically.”
Calipers for the standard Cadillac Blackwing brakes will be available in Tech Bronze, Harbor Grey, Edge Red and Royal Blue. Carbon-ceramic calipers will come in Tech Bronze, Edge Red or Royal Blue.
For more information, visit the Brembo website.
