Latest news with #CadillacCT5-VBlackwing
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bentley Bentayga, Honda Odyssey Among the Quietest Cars We've Tested
Welcome to Car and Driver's , where we zoom in on the test numbers. We've been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test ). When you're looking for a thrill, nothing can beat the roar of, say, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing's supercharged V-8 or the wail of the Porsche 911 GT3's naturally aspirated flat-six as you nail the throttle and the revs shoot up towards redline. But as much fun as a loud sports car can be, you probably don't want to pilot a shrieking beast all of the time—sometimes you just need some peace and quiet on the commute home from work or to be able to engage in conversation with your passengers. So, while we love exhilarating performance cars, we wanted to shine a light on the opposite end of the spectrum with this list of the quietest cars we've tested. These cars are all still in production, eliminating contenders such the Jaguar I-Pace, which would have placed second overall but the 2024 model year was its last. Cars that have since been refreshed or lightly updated are included, provided there haven't been major powertrain changes. We also limited the results to cars we tested in Michigan on the same straightaway at the Chelsea Proving Grounds, since the straightaway at the Hyundai Proving Grounds where we test in California is smoother and almost always leads to lower measurements. Our interior sound-pressure levels are taken via a handheld Brüel & Kjær Class 1 sound-level meter. We take three measurements—at idle, at wide-open throttle, and while cruising at 70 mph—but we'll focus on the highway cruise result here. Sound pressure, which we measure in A-weighted decibels, or dBA, is on a logarithmic scale, so a small numerical increase translates to a significantly more drastic increase in the real world, with an increase of three decibels representing a doubling of the sound pressure. Now that we've explained the nitty-gritty of how we test interior sound levels, here are the five quietest cars on sale today, followed by the leaders in a few key Bentley Bentayga, which originally launched for the 2017 model year, is the quietest vehicle on our list, recording just 61 dBA at a steady 70 mph. While the Bentayga got sharper styling in 2021, the twin-turbo V-8 powertrain remained unchanged. Its 542-hp output may sound ferocious, but the V-8 fades into the background when cruising, as it should considering its $200,000-plus starting on our list is another ultra-luxury SUV, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which is just behind the Bentley at 62 dBA. The $407,750 Rolls-Royce is motivated by a velvety twin-turbo 6.7-liter V-12, allowing you to waft along in the sumptuous cabin in near silence while still keeping 563 horsepower on quietest EV on our list is the Audi e-tron Sportback, which slots into third place with just 63 dBA recorded at 70 mph. While the e-tron SUV has since been renamed the Q8 e-tron when it was refreshed for the 2024 model year, the powertrain is largely the same. The 2025 Q8 e-tron Sportback starts at $79,495 and pairs aural tranquility with a spacious, luxurious BMW iX is tied with its Audi rival, registering just 63 dBA during the 70-mph cruise test. While the electric SUV's buck-toothed front-end styling is polarizing, no one can deny that its hushed driving demeanor and richly upholstered, high-tech cabin bolsters the iX's luxury a bit surprising that the Spectre isn't as quiet as its gas-powered Rolls-Royce sibling—its optional 23-inch wheels likely didn't help—but the electric coupe still recorded just 63 dBA at the test track. With a starting price of $397,750, the Spectre's serenity while cruising is to be expected. What's even more impressive is that when you push the accelerator to the floor, unleashing 577 hp and 664 pound-feet of torque, the interior sound level only rises to 65 dBA, versus the nine dBA increase caused by smacking the throttle in the was a sizable surge in sales of subcompact SUVs in 2024, and the quietest crossover in this in-demand segment is the Buick Encore GX, with a 2020 example returning 67 dBA in testing. The baby Buick has since been refreshed with sleeker styling, and a 2024 Encore GX Avenir recorded 68 dBA at the track. The Encore GX starts at just $27,295 and was Buick's bestseller in crossovers are some of the most popular vehicles on American roads, and the quietest in the segment is a newcomer, the electric Chevy Equinox EV, which recorded 65 dBA at 70 mph. The Equinox EV is one of the most affordable electric cars you can currently buy, starting at $34,995, making it a near-silent bargain. Since the majority of compact SUVs are still powered by gas engines, however, we wanted to give an honorable mention to the quietest gas-powered option, the Mazda CX-5. The current-generation CX-5 has been around since the 2017 model year, but its old bones didn't hold it back, with a 2020 model recording 66 dBA at the proving steep competition such as the five-time 10Best-winning Kia Telluride, the Subaru Ascent can often get forgotten. But Subaru's three-row mid-size SUV is actually the quietest SUV we've tested in this critical segment, with a 2019 example recording just 65 dBA at a 70-mph cruise. The Ascent is getting a bit long in the tooth, but it still enticed 56,286 shoppers in 2024 with its standard all-wheel drive, comfy ride, and suite of safety SUVs have come to dominate the market, minivans are still crucial transport for American families and the quietest minivan award goes to the Honda Odyssey. With a 66 dBA sound-pressure measurement at 70 mph, the Odyssey will allow you to hear every snide quip and retort as your children bicker in the quietest pickup truck also happens to be the most popular vehicle in the United States, the Ford F-150. In a 2021 example with the PowerBoost hybrid system—mating a 3.5-liter V-6 to an electric motor—we recorded 64 dBA at 70 mph. While the F-150 has been updated since then with fresh styling, the PowerBoost powertrain is still available, delivering 430 hp and up to 24 mpg on the highway while remaining muted the background. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2014 Cadillac CTS-V Six-Speed Wagon: Fast Rarity Is up for Auction
Here's a Cadillac wagon with the heart of a Corvette. Even better, this is one of the rare examples with a manual transmission. The mileage is low, but not museum grade, so feel free to unleash that supercharged V-8 daily. Today's Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a monster, and a multiple C/D 10Best Cars winner, but one thing is doesn't offer is a long-roof body style. To get that, you have to travel back to the CTS-V last sold in 2014. That car blended the presence of a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk with the supercharged V-8 belligerence of a Corvette ZR-1, and combined it with an old-school manual transmission. And it was available as a station wagon. Glorious ideal example of this Batmobile of wagons is for sale right now on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos). It's a 2014 Cadillac CTS-V wagon with the six-speed manual, black on black. The mileage is low at just 48K miles, but not so low that you'll feel bad about actually driving it and being the coolest parent at the school pick-up the hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 good for 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque. These were bonkers numbers a decade ago, and still very credible today. And whereas modern war wagons like the Audi RS6 Avant or the Mercedes-AMG E63 (last sold in 2023) feature all-wheel drive to tame the power, the Cadillac lights up its tires with rear-wheel drive tempered only by a limited-slip example is unmodified and equipped with some niceties including a panoramic sunroof, Bose audio, and navigation. What really matters, from an enthusiast perspective, is the stick shift sitting between the front Recaros, linked to a Tremec six-speed manual Corvette power levels, the CTS-V also gets Brembo brakes to handle stopping duties, and GM's lightning-quick adaptive magnetorheological dampers. C/D put 40,000 miles on a CTS-V wagon back when the model came out, and the praise for the way this thing delivered power and polish was universal. It's the quintessential "They don't make 'em like that anymore" Cadillac, and ones with the manual transmission are few and far between. This one checks all the boxes and is sure to dole out thrills by the wagonful. The auction ends on May 6. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
View Photos of Lightning Lap 2025
read the full story Now in its 18th year, Car and Driver's Lightning Lap establishes benchmark lap times for the top performance cars across all price categories. VIR's grueling 4.1-mile Grand Course functions as America's Nürburging, and the lap times here provide the ultimate measure of a vehicle's overall performance. 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 2024 Hyundai Elantra N 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club 2025 McLaren Artura Spider 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT63 Coupe 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Manthey Racing 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT 2024 Subaru BRZ tS 2025 Subaru WRX tS You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
ArabGT
09-02-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
Audi Still Offers a Manual Transmission, But There's a Catch
While manual transmissions are becoming a rarity in the luxury car segment, Audi still offers a five-speed manual transmission—but only in an economical 94-horsepower model. Luxury Cars That Still Offer a Manual Transmission Three-pedal cars—featuring a gas pedal, brake pedal, and clutch for manual shifting—are becoming increasingly scarce, with only a few luxury automakers continuing to produce them. Some of the remaining manual transmission models in the high-performance segment include: Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing BMW M2 BMW M3 BMW M4 BMW Z4 M40i Porsche 911 GT3 Audi's Manual Transmission Option for 2025 Surprisingly, Audi still offers a manual transmission, but it's far from a high-performance sports car. Instead, the 2025 Audi A1 retains a five-speed manual gearbox in select markets. Buyers in Europe can still purchase a brand-new Audi A1 with a three-cylinder engine producing 94 horsepower and 175 Nm of torque. However, this small hatchback wouldn't stand a chance in North America, not just because of its compact size but also due to its basic specifications. The entry-level Audi A1 is equipped with halogen headlights, 15-inch steel wheels, cloth seats, and manual air conditioning, while also lacking a center armrest. Performance-wise, it takes a sluggish 11 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Despite its compromises, the base Audi A1 starts at €22,950 ($24,000) in Germany, making it Audi's most affordable model. Shared DNA with Volkswagen Group Models The Audi A1 shares its platform with Volkswagen Group vehicles, including the Volkswagen Polo, which starts at a lower €19,835 ($20,500) in Germany. The mechanically similar Seat Ibiza is even more affordable, with a starting price of €18,430 ($19,100). However, the A1's days are numbered. Once the current generation is phased out, Audi will discontinue the model, making the A3 the new entry-level Audi in its premium lineup. Another small Audi, the Q2 crossover, will also be retired, with no planned successor. Audi vs. Tesla: Sales Performance in 2024 From a broader perspective, Audi continues to trail behind Tesla in global sales. In 2024, Audi sold 1,671,218 new vehicles, marking an 11.8% decline compared to 2023. Meanwhile, Tesla outperformed Audi, delivering 1,704,093 new cars worldwide during the same period.
ArabGT
26-01-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V Officially Revealed with Power and Price Highlights
The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V stands as Cadillac's first fully electric vehicle in its prestigious V-Series lineup of sports cars. Cadillac has revealed that the Lyriq V boasts an impressive range of 459 kilometers on a single charge and achieves a 0 to 96 km/h acceleration time of just 3.3 seconds. The latest pricing for the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V has been set at $79,990, with market deliveries scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The Most Powerful Electric Lyriq Yet Cadillac has officially unveiled the most powerful iteration of the all-electric Lyriq series, the V-Series version, delivering exceptional performance and advanced features. Performance and Power The high-performance Lyriq V is powered by dual electric motors—one mounted on the front axle and the other on the rear—offering an all-wheel drive configuration. This setup produces an impressive 615 horsepower and 881 Nm of torque. When placed in Velocity Max mode, which includes launch control, the car accelerates from 0 to 96 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. These figures outperform its sibling, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, which achieves the same in 3.4 seconds with an automatic transmission. The Lyriq V utilizes the same 102.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack as the standard Lyriq model, providing a driving range of up to 285 miles (459 km) on a single charge. This advanced electric vehicle also features upgraded Brembo brakes, with six-piston calipers and 15.3-inch discs at the front and single-piston calipers with 13.6-inch discs at the rear. Pricing and Production The starting price of the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq V is set at $79,990 (SAR 299,962), which includes a shipping and delivery fee of $1,395 (SAR 5,231). Production is scheduled to commence in early 2025 at General Motors' Spring Hill Manufacturing facility in Tennessee, USA. Driving Modes The Lyriq V introduces new driving modes, such as Competitive Mode, designed for skilled drivers to push the vehicle's performance boundaries. V Mode, a signature feature of the V-Series, allows customization of settings like steering weight and throttle sensitivity. However, the car does not include a Performance Traction Management system, meaning stability control adjustments for track driving are unavailable. Upgraded Features and Chassis Enhancements For the V-Series, Cadillac has reinforced the Lyriq's chassis, recalibrated its adaptive dampers, lowered the ride height by 0.62 inches, and refined the steering ratio from 18.44:1 to 15.81:1 for enhanced performance. The vehicle offers the option to replace its standard Continental Performance Contact 6 summer tires with Michelin all-season tires for improved traction in varying conditions. The Lyriq V also includes a distinctive V-specific sound system, customizable in MyMode and V-Mode, with the option to disable it. Cadillac has described this as an exclusive, multi-layered experience for V-Series drivers. Exterior Updates The exterior design of the Lyriq V receives subtle refinements, including V-Series badging, unique front and rear lower fascias, and updated panels. Carbon fiber accents and 22-inch V-specific wheels are available, along with an exclusive V-Series color called Magnus Metal Frost. Interior Enhancements Inside, the Lyriq V maintains the standard Lyriq cabin but adds unique touches. Its 33-inch LED screen features V-specific software, and the head-up display incorporates augmented reality navigation. Cadillac's Super Cruise driver-assist system is standard, as is a premium 23-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos. The front bucket seats, upholstered in Nappa leather, feature power-adjustable side bolsters for added comfort and support.
