Cadillac Ends CT4 and CT5 Production to Launch Luxury EV Replacements

Cadillac will discontinue its CT4 and CT5 sedans, replacing them with electric models on a new premium EV platform. Learn what’s next for the brand.

Cadillac is phasing out its gasoline-powered CT4 and CT5 sedans, including the high-performance Blackwing variants. According to a report from GM Authority, the company has no plans to develop internal combustion successors. Instead, Cadillac is preparing fully electric replacements built on its new premium BEV Prime platform.

This move comes amid declining sales: in 2024, CT4 dropped by 27%, selling just 1,398 units, while CT5 fell 6% with 4,128 units sold. Even a refresh for the 2025 model year couldn’t reverse the trend. Cadillac appears ready to turn the page.

The upcoming electric models are reportedly expected to be similar in size to the outgoing CT5 and the discontinued CT6. However, they won’t serve as direct replacements. Instead, they’re said to adopt a sportback-style silhouette inspired by Cadillac’s ultra-luxury Celestiq and the Escala concept. This design direction aligns with the broader EV lineup, which includes the Lyriq, Escalade IQ, Vistiq, and Optiq.

In another shift, Cadillac is likely to move away from alphanumeric model names. The brand has previously indicated plans to return to traditional naming, suggesting the CT4 and CT5 badges could be retired entirely.

Enthusiasts of the Blackwing series are understandably disappointed. The CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing models stood out with their manual transmissions, powerful V6 and V8 engines, and classic rear-wheel-drive dynamics. While future EVs may outperform them in terms of speed, they’ll likely fall short on the visceral driving feel that made the Blackwings special.

Still, Cadillac remains committed to electrification. The brand projects EVs will account for 30–35% of its total sales by 2025. But the road ahead is uncertain. EV demand has slowed, U.S. government subsidies are under political review, and infrastructure challenges persist.

For now, one thing is clear: the era of Cadillac’s gas-powered sport sedans is drawing to a close. Those who still dream of a CT4 or CT5 — especially in their Blackwing forms — may want to act fast, before they become collector's items.

Source: autoblog.com