Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing vs BMW M5 CS — America's Last Manual vs Germany's Best in FH6
668hp supercharged V8 with a six-speed manual vs 627hp twin-turbo V8 with AWD and an automatic. The CT5-V Blackwing is Cadillac's farewell to the manual transmission super sedan. The M5 CS is BMW's most extreme production sedan ever. In FH6's S1 class, this is the heavyweight super sedan fight.
The Blackwing is quite possibly the last manual-transmission super sedan that will ever exist — 668hp supercharged 6.2L V8 sent exclusively to the rear wheels. The M5 CS is BMW showing what happens when M division goes wild — carbon bucket seats, less sound deadening, 627hp through AWD with a rear-biased mode. Both deliver performance that makes you forget you're driving a four-door.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing — Manual Magnificence
668hp supercharged V8, six-speed manual, RWD — the last of its kind.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed | 8.5 |
| Handling | 8.0 |
| Acceleration | 8.2 |
| Launch | 7.5 |
| Braking | 8.0 |
| PI (Stock) | 830 |
Pros
- Last manual super sedan — engagement level unmatched
- Supercharged V8 has endless mid-range torque
- Magnetic ride control balances comfort and handling
Cons
- RWD only — struggles putting power down in wet
- Manual means slower shifts, loses time vs dual-clutch
- Heavy — over 1800kg, you feel it under braking
Best Events
| Event Type | Rating |
|---|---|
| Road Racing (S1) | A-Tier |
| Street Scene | A-Tier |
| Drift Zones | S-Tier |
BMW M5 CS — The Ultimate M5
627hp twin-turbo V8, AWD with RWD mode, carbon everything — M division unleashed.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed | 8.8 |
| Handling | 8.2 |
| Acceleration | 8.8 |
| Launch | 9.0 |
| Braking | 8.5 |
| PI (Stock) | 845 |
Pros
- AWD launch is devastating — gaps almost anything off the line
- Switchable RWD mode gives you the best of both worlds
- Lighter than standard M5 thanks to CS diet
Cons
- Automatic only — no manual option, less engaging
- AWD system masks some chassis feedback
- Expensive — premium price tag for CS badge
Best Events
| Event Type | Rating |
|---|---|
| Road Racing (S1) | S-Tier |
| Speed Traps | A-Tier |
| Drag Racing | S-Tier |
Head-to-Head
| Spec | CT5-V Blackwing | BMW M5 CS |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 8.5 | 8.8 |
| Handling | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Acceleration | 8.2 | 8.8 |
| PI (Stock) | 830 | 845 |
Verdict
The M5 CS is the objectively faster car — AWD traction, faster shifts, better lap times on every surface. It's the rational choice for winning races. But the CT5-V Blackwing is the car you'll remember driving — the manual gearbox, the supercharger whine, the way the rear end squirms under power. If you're grinding ranked races, get the M5 CS. If you want to experience the last manual super sedan ever made, get the Blackwing and cherish every shift.
How to Get Each
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing: 95,000 CR. American muscle at a discount.
BMW M5 CS: 150,000 CR. Premium price, premium performance.
Related Guides
Which Should You Buy in FH6?
The answer depends on what you're building your garage for. If you're building for Horizon Open competitiveness, check the current meta rankings before spending credits — the meta shifts with each seasonal update and a car that was S-tier last month might be B-tier now. If you're building for driving enjoyment, go with the car that has the more engaging driving character. Check the auction house before buying from the autoshow — many of these cars appear as seasonal rewards and can be 30-50% cheaper on the secondary market. For both cars, budget at least 80,000-120,000 CR for a full upgrade path to their competitive class. A half-built car is worse than a well-tuned car one class lower. The most important factor is how the car fits your driving style — some cars reward aggressive driving, others need smooth inputs. Test drive both in a Rivals event before committing to a build. Five laps in each car will tell you more than any spec sheet can.