quikag
Seasoned Member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2021
- Messages
- 268
- Location
- Dallas
- V-Series Cadillac(s)?
- 2023 Escalade V, 2022 CT5-V Blackwing
So, I drove my '10 ZR1 around quite a bit this weekend and also drove my Escalade V. I don't mention it for any other reason than to say that when I slid behind the wheel of the 5BW and drove it quite a bit yesterday, it reminded me of how incredibly good this car is.
The integration of the whole car and the harmony of all the controls is masterful. The smoothness, refinement, incredible chassis development, and smoothness and power of the engine really shines through after driving other cars.
It's a Jekyll and Hyde car too as it can be so smooth and relaxing in tour mode, but pop it over into V mode and it just turns into a monster with incredible acceleration, braking, and handling.
It is very clear that this car was developed and engineered by people that really care about getting the small things right and the whole to be greater than the sum of it's parts. Outstanding job, Mirza and team!!
On a semi-related note, whoever developed the Escalade V did a good job too, but you can definitely see the limitations of the platform and relative lack of integration compared to the Blackwings. Love the VSlade, but it just isn't that fun to drive overall besides the insane exhaust note (much more aggressive than the 5BW) and pretty good acceleration from a 6,200lb SUV. Again, they did okay with what they had to work with, but it's just not a sporty SUV and the chassis/platform was never designed as such. They dialed in the suspension pretty good, brakes are strong (six-piston Brembo up front), and LT4 engine and 2650 blower are awesome. Shifting is programmed very nicely too especially in V mode.
But....it's about 40% as fun as the 5BW. Different vehicles and different demographics, I know...
The integration of the whole car and the harmony of all the controls is masterful. The smoothness, refinement, incredible chassis development, and smoothness and power of the engine really shines through after driving other cars.
It's a Jekyll and Hyde car too as it can be so smooth and relaxing in tour mode, but pop it over into V mode and it just turns into a monster with incredible acceleration, braking, and handling.
It is very clear that this car was developed and engineered by people that really care about getting the small things right and the whole to be greater than the sum of it's parts. Outstanding job, Mirza and team!!
On a semi-related note, whoever developed the Escalade V did a good job too, but you can definitely see the limitations of the platform and relative lack of integration compared to the Blackwings. Love the VSlade, but it just isn't that fun to drive overall besides the insane exhaust note (much more aggressive than the 5BW) and pretty good acceleration from a 6,200lb SUV. Again, they did okay with what they had to work with, but it's just not a sporty SUV and the chassis/platform was never designed as such. They dialed in the suspension pretty good, brakes are strong (six-piston Brembo up front), and LT4 engine and 2650 blower are awesome. Shifting is programmed very nicely too especially in V mode.
But....it's about 40% as fun as the 5BW. Different vehicles and different demographics, I know...