Future Cadillac V-Series models to offer manual transmission

The question is, which V-Series model will get the manual.

BMW's M division -- long known as the purveyor of the ultimate sports sedan -- has mostly given up on the manual transmission. But Cadillac -- a company that built its reputation on comfortable land barges -- says it's committed to keeping the manual alive and well within its high-performance V division.

That out-of-character proclamation was made on Cadillac's behalf by Mark Reuss, president of General Motors. Specifically, Reuss told Muscle Cars and Trucks that "Cadillac will make manuals in V-Series.” Unfortunately, Reuss didn't extrapolate on timing or which V-Series models are under consideration for a manual transmission.

At the moment, Cadillac's V division doesn't offer a single vehicle with a manual transmission, including its brand new CT4-V and CT5-V. In fact, Cadillac doesn't offer any vehicle with a manual transmission at the moment.

So if the manual is to make a comeback at Cadillac's V brand like Reuss says, it will have to be in one of the sub-brand's upcoming flagships -- the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing models.

Given that the CT5-V Blackwing will be the successor to the current CTS-V -- which has never been offered with a manual transmission -- it's doubtful that it'll receive a standard transmission. However, the CT4-V Blackbird is the heir apparent to the more athletic ATS-V, which was offered with a manual transmission, giving it much better odds on landing a row-it-yourself option.

Cadillac recent showed off prototypes of the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackbird models, but the company has yet to release much in the way of details. However, both cars are expected to get the Blackwing 4.2L twin-turbocharged V8 (hence the name) that was used in the limited edition CT6-V. In that application the turbo V8 made 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.