Hennessey Unveils ‘H1000’ Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Hennessey has unveiled its ‘H1000’ Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing – the hero of luxury sport sedans. Boasting a supercharged 1,000 horsepower V8, and fitted with luxurious appointments, the rear-wheel drive Cadillac is a herculean muscle car wearing an elegant tuxedo.
Straight from the factory, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is the automaker’s most powerful production car ever, the Texas-based tuner said. Under its hood is a supercharged 6.2-liter small-block LT4 V8 engine rated at 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. Offered with a 6-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic, both variants reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and have a top speed of over 205 mph, according to Cadillac.
Hennessey’s engineering team upgraded the stock Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing to supercar power levels. First, its LT4 receives ported cylinder heads, enhanced intake and exhaust valves, improved lifters and pushrods, oversized heat exchangers, and long-tube stainless steel headers. Then GM’s small block is fitted with a high-flow supercharger, replacing the factory unit. Lastly, Hennessey’s engineers upload Hennessey Engine Management Calibration (HEMC) for its new mission.
The result is an output of 1,000 hp and 966 lb-ft torque. According to Hennessey, the power increase shaves a full second off the 0-60 mph sprint, drops the quarter-mile run to 10.1 seconds, and pushes the top speed to well above 200 mph.
“Cadillac’s CT5-V Blackwing, fitted with GM’s supercharged LT4, was a natural candidate for our EXORCIST upgrade as it improves power considerably without affecting drivability,” said John Hennessey, company founder and CEO. “Resurrected as an ‘H1000’, the four-door Cadillac is the fastest combustion-only luxury sedan on the planet. It is a rare high-water mark in a segment that will vanish by the decade’s end.”
Hennessey’s power upgrade complements Cadillac’s performance enhancements, including adaptive Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes, and configurable driving modes for every situation. An integrated data recorder logs performance both on- and off-track.
