Replacing the ATS-V in Cadillac's lineup a few years ago, the CT4-V Blackwing is the brand's answer to the BMW M3. However, it lacks in the power department compared to one of its biggest rivals in the segment, though not by much.
In fact, it is only one horsepower shy of the M3's 473 hp, which takes 4.1 seconds to hit 60 mph (97 kph) in the base grade. The Competition has 503 hp and is 0.3 seconds faster, and the Competition xDrive model, which features an all-wheel drive system, deals with the sprint in 3.4 seconds, according to the spec sheet.
Cadillac claims the CT4-V Blackwing needs 3.9 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, aided by the 472 horsepower available on tap. Its 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (twin-turbo straight-six for the Bimmer) develops 445 lb-ft (603 Nm) of torque. Flat-out, it can do 189 mph (304 kph), and it comes with an optional ten-speed automatic transmission or a standard six-speed manual if you prefer to change gears by hand.
It is obvious that despite the power differences, the BMW M3 and the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing are evenly matched. Thus, it could literally be anyone's game in a straight-line duel. However, it wasn't the M3 that challenged it to a quarter-line battle recently, but the lesser M340i from the pre-facelifted iteration, which sits below the range-topper in the brand's family.
Photo: Screenshot Youtube | ImportRace
It, too, features a 3.0-liter straight-six with twin-turbocharging, though with 382 hp and 368 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque produced, it's nowhere near as punchy as the Caddy. The M340i can deal with the sprint time in roughly 4.5 seconds, or a few tenths quicker if you get it with the optional xDrive all-wheel drive system.
The balance tilts in favor of the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, but the BMW M340i is no slouch either. In fact, it can match its rival's straight-line performance on a good day and with someone who's familiar with the car holding the wheel. As a result, it comes down to just how skilled the drivers of both machines are to determine which of the two can cross the finish line first in a quarter-mile battle.
As a result, we wouldn't blindly bet on the Blackwing and sit back and relax while it goes neck-and-neck with the Bimmer, as the latter could turn out to be a bit quicker. And we all know that winning is winning, even if it's only by a hair.
That said, you are about to find out if the M340i has what it takes to stand against the badder CT4-V Blackwing in a 1/4-mile fight, filmed not long ago at the Island Dragway in New Jersey. Before calling it a story, we have to mention that we're convinced the CT4-V in question is a Blackwing, as it features the correct side trim behind the front wheels and the chunkier lip spoiler over the non-Blackwing variant, whereas the uploader states it is the latter.
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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