The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing's New Track Pack Is the Spiritual Successor to the Camaro 1LE

Cadillac's CT5-V Blackwing Is Getting a Track PackCadillac

The recent iterations of Chevy's Camaro 1LE track package—specifically in the fifth- and sixth-generation cars—turned the muscle car into one of the most impressive performance values on the market. Unfortunately, the end of Camaro's run left the 1LE line with no real successor. The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing's new Precision Pack, unveiled Tuesday, is not quite as extreme or as affordable as the 1LE, but the spirit of the track-pack Camaro is alive and well in GM's latest optional performance offering.

The Precision Pack is a combination of new components and major suspension tuning changes, designed to optimize the bigger Blackwing for performance driving on both road and track. A larger front stabilizer bar and new suspension bushings lead the mechanical changes designed to optimize on-road performance, while a new front steering knuckle and separately packaged rear suspension toe links allow drivers to run more aggressive camber settings for track duty. MagneRide dampers, chassis control systems, and the car's electronic limited-slip differential are also retuned to optimize performance. An existing carbon ceramic brake package is part of the option pack, too.

Cadillac says that all of those changes make the CT5-V more precise, but its engineers crucially describe the car's ride as more friendly on the road than the heavily specialized 1LE Camaros. That means the package does not completely transform the base CT5-V Blackwing's approachable character. The damping tuning was done by the same ride and handling engineer as the 1LE line, and that engineer has run a first-generation CTS-V in SCCA American Sedan racing in the past.

In full track alignment, Precision Pack-equipped Blackwing can reach 2.8 degrees of camber in the front tire and 2 in the rear. Standard alignment, for contrast, comes in at 1.5 degrees in the front and 1 degree in the rear. By allowing for those adjustments, drivers can increase contact patch in a performance driving setting without risking uneven tire wear over the course of long road drives. Increased camber contributes to what Cadillac says is a focus on steering precision on turn-in, stability on turn-out, and an overall improvement to road feel in performance driving situations.

Pricing for the new Precision Pack has not been announced, but the carbon ceramic brakes suggest that it will not be cheap. The existing carbon ceramic option adds $9000 to the price of a Blackwing, so the Precision Pack should come in well above the $7500 asking price for the last iteration of the most extreme Camaro 1LE performance pack. When the Precision Pack does reach the market, it will be available on the updated CT5-V Blackwing introduced in January.

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