Cadillac’s Ultimate Blackwing Costs As Much As Two BMW M5s

Cadillac revealed one of the ultimate sports sedans to start the month, that being the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series. Built to celebrate the automaker’s Formula 1 debut in 2026, the F1 Collector Series packs more power and even hotter looks than the normal CT5-V Blackwing. What we didn’t know until now was how much it would cost, especially since it’s limited to just 26 units. Well, that all-important figure has been shared by GM Authority, and it’s a jaw-dropping $260,000 before destination. That makes it more expensive than any other new Cadillac besides the Celestiq.

Related: Cadillac Quietly Made the F1 Blackwing More Powerful Than Before

Regular CT5-V Blackwing Looks Like a Bargain

The standard CT5-V Blackwing starts at $98,900 in manual guise, making the F1 Collector Series roughly 163% more expensive. While Cadillac hasn’t officially announced the $260k price tag yet, GM Authority didn’t announce it speculatively, so it’s safe to assume this is the correct figure.

At $260k, the Cadillac sedan is more expensive than everything in this special group of sports cars and ultra-luxury sedans: Porsche 911 GT3, Bentley Flying Spur, the V12-powered Mercedes-Maybach S680, and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X. Looked at another way, you could buy two BMW M5s for less than one of these Caddy Blackwings.

We’ve seen this recipe before, which entails releasing a special-edition model with beefed-up looks, a bump up in power, a limited production run—and a drastically inflated price. BMW charged about 40% more for the M3 CSL back in 2003, although many would argue the elevated driving experience made it worthwhile. Late last year, Porsche unveiled the 911 GT3 90 F.A. Porsche, priced at $387,000, about 64% more than the GT3 upon which it’s based.

Related: Inside the Factory Where Cadillac Builds the Last Manual V8 Sport Sedan

Is The CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series Worth It?

For the well-heeled collector, this Cadillac sedan is worth every penny. But looking at the raw numbers and the scope of the upgrades, it’s impossible to make a rational case for it over the regular Blackwing model. Both use a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, with the F1 model producing 685 horsepower and 673 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers make it the most powerful Blackwing ever, but it’s not far ahead of the normal version’s 668 hp/659 lb-ft.

A six-speed manual is the exclusive transmission choice for the F1 model, which also gets the following enhancements:

• Upgraded supercharger
• CNC-machined supercharger cover
• Endorsed F1 and FIA logos throughout
• Carbon Flash wheels
• Lower carbon-fiber bodywork
• Gloss Black exterior badging and monochrome Cadillac crests

Most of these changes are purely cosmetic, and while the sedan looks fantastic, these extras aren’t worth a 163% price jump. You can spec the normal Blackwing with the Deep Ocean Appearance Pack, Precision Pack (including carbon ceramic brakes) and Super Cruise, all for $100,000 less.

Of course, none of the 26 buyers of the F1 Collector Series will care. It’s a deeply satisfying sports sedan and the most potent Blackwing ever, but also one with unmatched exclusivity. In the years ahead, it has every chance of appreciating in value, especially since larger-capacity V8s may not be around forever.

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