The enthusiasts with money, yes, but it’s built with those who love driving in mind. Cadillac is going to plunk a six-speed manual gearbox behind the bolts of the engine set to power the upcoming CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. In fact, the manual gearbox is the standard choice. It’s the ten-speed automatic that serves as the optional offering. And this shift decision is down to some market research conducted by the automaker. Here’s what it found:
In a recent Harris Poll study conducted on behalf of Cadillac about the current knowledge and adoption of the manual transmission found:
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Sixty-six percent of American adults surveyed know how to drive a manual.
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Of those who do not know how to drive a manual, roughly 40 percent are either somewhat or very interested in learning.
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More than half (55 percent) of American adults say they have owned or leased a car with a manual transmission.
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Interest in driving or learning to drive a manual is higher among those with $75,000 or more in annual household income (64 percent interested) and those between 18-34 in age (62 percent interested).
Also interesting with respect to the manual gearbox is the shift knob that will atop it. Cadillac is turning to 3D printing for some its parts and the V-Series Blackwings will be first in line for some of them. This includes two HVAC ducts, a bracket for the wire harness, and this special medallion for the shift lever.
It’s not just the shift lever that’s exciting with respect to the Blackwing, however. Cadillac will offer real carbon-fiber racing-inspired buckets, magnesium wheels, the fastest reacting magnetic suspension it’s built to date, and more. The automaker says this will make the Blackwing its most luxurious, comfortable, and track-capable car ever.
Alright Cadillac… consider our attention, grasped.
The 2022 Blackwings should arrive sometime in the summer of 2021. Stay tuned for more.
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