The big Blackwing reclaims an edge with its top speed of over 205mph and the fact that it offers something none of its European rivals can: a good old-fashioned six-speed manual gearbox.
The GM-Ford 10-speed automatic is also available, but you could never be friends with someone who was stupid enough to choose the two-pedal version over the sublime shifter.
Offering silky smooth shifting, incredibly, there’s none of the bad drivetrain vibration you have to tolerate in other powerful rear-drive cars. The clutch is both light and progressive and feels Japanese in the level of precision it delivers.
There’s also a handy rev-match mode and flat-shifting function – although the towering torque peak meant we were never brave enough to try the latter.
Speaking of which, all the power of this supercharged V8 is channeled to the rear wheelset. Four-wheel drive is not an option, and although countless BMW M engineers have insisted that anything over 550bhp is impossible to drive in a performance car, the traction is really remarkable here (at least in dry conditions), thanks to an electronically controlled rear locking differential, GM’s latest Magentic Ride Control dampers and a set of specially developed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
Braking is absolutely amazing thanks to the optional carbon-ceramic caps (£6700), whether hot or cold, with levels of feel on par with the best offered by a Porsche GT. The composite anchors also reduce the unsprung weight of the car by 29 kg.
Weight is the enemy of all super sedans, but the CT5-V Blackwing is almost supple compared to the new breed. Remove the sunroof and add the big plugs and curb weight drops to around 1870kg with a full tank of fuel – about the same mass as the M5 CS.
Behind the wheel, it feels even lighter, with an agility that makes you start to question its size.
On tight, bumpy and unforgiving canyon roads, the confidence it imparts is unnerving. This is due in part to its stopping power, its incredible ability to resist understeer and its responsiveness to the throttle, but above all to its amazing damping and grip elicited by the Michelin rubber wrapped around its modest rims. 19 inches.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-10 07:36:50
