Motoring
TRACK-READY CADILLAC CT4-V BLACKWING PACKS A PUNCH!
Now here’s an American-made ride that can give tough competition to its European rivals. The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is not just a stunner but also loaded with classy and tech-laden cabin accoutrements. Step on the gas and the Caddy will catch you off guard, as it lunges forward with a fervor you wouldn’t find in most luxury sport cars. It’s quick on its feet, reaching 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.1 seconds with top speed at 189 mph! A Performance Data Recorder for use primarily on the racetrack monitors lap times, speed, braking force, steering wheel angle, throttle so you can play back on the 8-inch touch screen.
Under the hood of the compact rear-wheel-drive sedan resides a direct-inject 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine belting out 472 horsepower @ 5700 rpm and 445 pounds-feet of torque @ 5000 rpm. The luxury sports car is mated to a 6-speed manual (which is awesome!) though a 10-speed auto gear box is also offered.
LED headlights border high-performance dual-mesh grilles, which direct air to the main radiators, cooler and airflow ducts. You cannot miss the centered but familiar crest emblem. Climb into the car and you will find that the fit and finish, gloss levels and materials are first-rate. The exquisitely-executed interior is equipped with the hands-on CUE (Cadillac User Experience). And yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. Dripping of opulence, the driver and front passenger are coddled by 18-way power supple leather bucket seats. In fact, there is enough head and leg room for five adults to relax and sit in comfort. Standard perks include dual auto a/c, thick power- adjustable steering wheel with V and My Modes (to customize vehicle settings), AKG premium 14-speaker audio, split-fold rear seat, alloy pedals and a 12-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster.
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, front knee airbags, Brembo brakes with four-wheel antilock, forward collision and rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist/departure warning and lane change/side blind zone alerts, night vision, front pedestrian brakes, rear camera, remote start, active front head restraints, electronic limited-slip rear differential, front/rear park assists, stability and traction control, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. Magnetic Ride Control keeps body roll to the minimum while ensuring a safe, firm and smooth ride.
The CT4-V packs plenty of punch, displaying amazing nimbleness and grip as you pitch
it through corners and turns. It is one luxury sports car you should feel comfortable cruising down on your street or heading for the highway. And, of course, you can always celebrate 70 years of the legendary Cadillac racing heritage by taking the speed demon to the track for an even more entertaining and electrifying experience.
CT4-V Blackwing
Tires: P255/35ZR18 front, P275/35ZR18 rear
Wheelbase: 109.3 inches
Length: 187.6 inches
Width: 71.4 inches
Height: 56 inches
Weight: 3,860 pounds
Suspension: McPherson strut front, 5-link independent rear
Steering: electric power, variable-assist
Fuel capacity: 17.4 gallons
City: 15 mpg
Highway: 23 mpg
Base price: $58,995
Price as tested: $72,790
Web site: www.cadillac.com
KIA STINGER SPORTBACK IS A THRILL OF A RIDE!
“No way, is that a Kia?” was the first impression from most everyone who happened to gaze at our 2022 Stinger test car. Indeed, it is a product of the Korean carmaker’s hard and dedicated work over the years to produce a five-passenger sportback. And it has done an outstanding job.
The rear-wheel-drive (all-wheel drive is also offered) four-door coupe is equipped with a 2.5-liter GDI turbo 4-cylinder engine pumping out 300 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 311 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. Power reaches the wheels via an 8-speed auto gearbox with eco, smart, comfort, sport and custom drive modes. The independent MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension along with 13.6-inch vented front and 13-inch rear brakes ensure stability on the toughest road surfaces. Zero to 60 is a laudable 5.2 seconds.
Up front, a black/dark chrome surround radiator grille with the centered new Kia emblem in the hood is flanked by revamped LED headlights. On the side of the strikingly bold-appearing car are GT black chrome vents with air surrounds. The cabin provides all the luxe accoutrements you would expect in a similarly priced car in this class. The 8-inch touch display for phone, nav and audio to control via a knob is now 10.2 inches. Total interior capacity is 117.1 cubic feet, even more than a Camry. It is tasteful, functional and attractive with Nappa leather seats, dual auto a/c, 12-way power driver and 6-way manual front-passenger heated seats, power tilt/slide sun roof, flat-bottomed tilt/telescopic steering column, satin chrome door handles, electro-luminescent instrument cluster for speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level, odometer and trip computer gauges, ambient led lights, black gloss/chrome on the instrument panel, aluminum pedals, GT front headrest logos, 60/40 rear seat and more.
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, driver knee airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, front/rear parking sensors and crumple zones, rearview camera, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision avoid/warning, lane departure warning/assist, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard.
With this agile, handsome and thriller of a ride affording an upscale, spacious interior, European competitors such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, among others, should watch out. Base-priced at $36,090 (bargain compared to the offering from its rivals), the Stinger is a winner that will surely take Kia to the next level. And it is a tough act to beat if you consider the Korean automaker’s basic 5-year, 60,000-mile and 10-year, 100,000-mile limited power train warranties.
STINGER GT
Tires: P225/45R18
Wheelbase: 114.4 inches
Length: 190.2 inches
Width: 73.6 inches
Height: 55.1 inches
Weight: 3,829 pounds
Steering: electric power, variable
Fuel capacity: 15.9 gallons
City: 19 mpg
Highway: 25 mpg
Priced as tested: $39,715
Web site: www.kiaiusa.com
EXPLORE THE ‘TERRAIN’ IN THIS FINE, COMPACT SUV!
Introduced over a decade ago, the GMC Terrain has stood the test of time despite fierce competition in the compact SUV segment. Available as a front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the hands-on and robust Terrain is a superb blend of performance and style. For 2022, an AT4 (All-Terrain four-wheel drive) model with a front steel skid plate has been introduced.
Sharing power trains with the Chevrolet Equinox, the base engine is a 1.5-liter turbo inline 4-cylinder engine putting out 170 horsepower @ 5600 rpm and 203 pounds-feet @ 4000 rpm. And that is ample for this 3,659-pound vehicle to tackle peak-hour traffic or cruise the highway. An independent MacPherson strut front and independent four-link rear suspension isolates occupants from road noise. Guiding the small SUV toward its destination is a three-mode electric power, rack-and-pinion steering system. Power routed through the seamless 9-speed auto gear box delivers ample performance. Tow capacity is just around 1,500 pounds.
Redesigned C-shaped LED headlights border a massive and intimidating multi-dimensional grille hosting the centered GMC emblem. The rear also features C-shaped LEDs within vertical tail lamps and integrated dual exhausts. Of course, it’s in the passenger/cargo department that the Terrain shines. Ours came in jet black perforated leather seats with 8-way power for driver and 6-way for front passenger. The second-row seat folds flat to open up for stowing longer items. Cubicles and bins are well placed throughout but if you fancy a mobile office of sorts, the front center console can swallow a laptop. Other comforts include dual auto a/c, aluminum sill plates, 8-inch touch screen for nav, audio and phone controls, 4.2-inch driver information center, overhead sunglass holder, and 110-volt power outlet, four data/charging and two charge-only USB ports.
Standard safety features are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag with rollover protection, rearview camera, stability and traction control, remote keyless entry and start, hill descent control, three-point safety belts for all, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system. For peace of mind, opt for the GMC Pro Safety package ($645) so you get lane change with side blind zone, rear cross traffic and safety alerts, as well as adaptive cruise control.
You will be hard-pressed to find a small SUV with a sundry of tempting options and upgrades. With the AT4 addition, you can enjoy and explore the ‘Terrain’ off-road too in this practical and versatile vehicle with an attractive cabin.
TERRAIN (AT4)
Tires: P225/65R17
Wheelbase: 107.3 inches
Length: 182.3 inches
Fuel capacity: 15.6 gallons
City: 25 mpg
Highway: 28 mpg
Base price: $34,000
Price as tested: $39,315
Web site: www.gmc.com/terrain