There are plenty of fast yet comfortable performance sedans available from Europe's premium automakers, but if you want one with a manual transmission, your choices are nearly nonexistent. The BMW M3 currently offers a six-speed manual transmission with the base engine, but Cadillac is about to provide two more options with its upcoming Blackwing models. The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing arrive at dealers soon, and the full configurator for both cars recently went live.

Starting at $84,990 and $59,990 respectively, you can now spend a few minutes configuring your dream car online. Cadillac will offer the Blackwing cars with some unique options and eye-catching paint colors, and if you check all the boxes, they can get pretty pricey.

Starting with the CT5-V Blackwing, we managed to take the price from $84,990 up to $123,970 by selecting every available option, starting with the Dark Emerald Frost paint for $3,925. This is the most expensive color option, and Cadillac says the hue will have limited availability.

Should green not be to your taste, there are plenty of exciting colors on offer, such as Blaze Orange Metallic and Electric Blue for $625 and Infrared Tintcoat for $1,225. Three interior color choices include Jet Black, Sky Cool Grey, and Natural Tan, with three upgrade levels. An upgraded leather package adds $2,890, while the full semi-aniline seats cost $6,090.

We highly recommend getting the standard six-speed manual transmission since the 10-speed automatic bumps the price up by $3,175. Opting for the auto is the only way to add the $900 Driver Assist Package with adaptive cruise control. Some other pricey options include a pair of carbon fiber packages for $5,230 and $4,100, bronze 19-inch wheels for $1,500, carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes for $9,000, and a performance data recorder for $1,600.

The CT4-V Blackwing has some interesting options, but they aren't as extensive as its big brother. It offers the same exterior color options, including the limited availability Dark Emerald Frost green. Inside, leather seats with mini-perforated quilted inserts and suede seatbacks cost $4,900 and come in Jet Black or Sky Cool Grey. The carbon fiber packages are the most expensive options at $4,350 and $2,650, respectively. Other options are similarly priced to the CT5, including a $900 Driver Assist Package that requires the automatic and $1,500 Bronze 18-inch wheels. With every box ticked, we got the CT4-V Blackwing up to $87,340.

These cars might sound pricey, but they are still less expensive than a BMW M3 or a BMW M5 with similar options. Cadillac is taking an interesting approach here, positioning the CT4 against the Mercedes-Benz CLA while the CT5 rivals the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.