When Cadillac revealed the CT4-V and CT5-V with way less power than the previous generation of Cadillac V models, the ATS-V and CTS-V, horsepower hungry fans weren't best pleased. But then Cadillac quickly announced that more powerful V models were on the way.

The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing have finally broken cover, and just as the rumors predicted, neither car uses Cadillac's twin-turbocharged Blackwing engine.

During a call with Cadillac to discuss the new CT4-V and CT5-V variants, we asked why the company decided to use the Blackwing name even though that engine is now discontinued. "It was about simplification and elevation and focusing on one performance sub-brand, which is V Series," explained Brandon Vivian, Cadillac Executive Chief Engineer.

"We had V-Sports in the past, but it was a little confusing of what V-Sport was versus V Series. Trying to grow both sub-brands simultaneously, we felt it was a better approach to simplify and focus on V Series, then elevate and expand," Vivian continued. "What you saw when we started on CT6-V, and also on CT4-V and CT5-V, we offer all-wheel-drive, which is now synonymous with V Series."

As for the new Blackwing models, those are only available with rear-wheel-drive. "We have a very strong guiding principle: if it doesn't make the car faster on a race track, we don't put it on the car," he told CarBuzz. "Everything that you see is 100% functional. AWD on the race track for these cars does not make them faster, so it's not offered on these Blackwing models. They are tailored to be track cars with everyday refinement."

"As for the Blackwing name itself, as we prepared to launch CT6-V, we've denoted Blackwing to mean the pinnacle of Cadillac performance and craftsmanship," Vivian made clear. "It's fitting to take that and carry it over to these vehicles. These cars really are this pinnacle, and you will be able to see that with the performance levels that these cars generate."

It may be different from what we've come to expect from Cadillac's V Series, but the Blackwing models do not disappoint in terms of performance. The CT4-V Blackwing produces 472 horsepower from a twin-turbo V6 while the CT5-V Blackwing generates a staggering 668 hp from a supercharged V8. Cadillac says the CT4-V Blackwing competes with the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and similar models while the CT5-V Blackwing is a BMW M3 rival with more power than an M5.