Five reasons why Brembo brakes make Cadillac V-Series Blackwing the best ever

2/16/2021

In recent years, more and more people have been demanding high performance sedans, an area in which Cadillac has returned to a prominent position, thanks, in part, to the new CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing, where they show their ability to combine reliability, performance and comfort.

The anticipation for the new models in recent months confirms just how much enthusiasts want to have fun driving an American car. And when you talk about a luxury car made in the USA, the first name that comes to mind is Cadillac.

There are several distinctive traits of the Cadillac V-Series Blackwings , beginning with the extremely powerful engines which, for any driving enthusiast, is combined with the 6-speed manual transmission. Another big change is represented by the aluminum wheels that contribute to minimizing vehicle weight.

The Brembo braking system contributes to making a track day experience even more thrilling, without penalizing any refinement on the road. In our opinion, there are five braking elements that deserve to be highlighted.

1) Performance: 28.8 kg (63.5 lbs) less with carbon-ceramic discs

For the first time in its glorious history of more than a century, a Cadillac has carbon-ceramic discs: when ordering the CT5-V Blackwing, the customer can opt for Brembo carbon-ceramic discs, 400 mm (15¾ inches) in diameter and 38 mm (1½ inches) thick on the front and 370 mm (14½ inches) by 34 mm (1⅓ inches) on the rear.

One of the main attributes of Brembo carbon-ceramic discs is their light weight: each of these front discs weighs 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs), compared to the 16.6 kg (36.6 lbs) of a steel disc, while each rear disc weighs 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs), compared to the 11.1 kg (24.5 lbs) of a conventional model. This translates into an overall weight drop of 28.8 kg (63.5 lbs).

This is no small savings because, with the same power, the speed of a vehicle is inversely proportional to its mass. The effect is even clearer for the braking system, which constitutes unsprung mass: carbon-ceramic improves the dynamics of the vehicle, as well as ensuring high performance, a more athletic feel, and an almost infinite lifespan.

2) Design: colors and finishes 

When dealing with a refined brand like Cadillac, nothing can be left to chance. Every element of the car contributes to its appeal, including the braking system, starting with the brake calipers, derived from the units used on the track: the Cadillac DPi-V.R, winner of four editions of the Rolex 24 at Daytona race, used Brembo brakes.

The Brembo M6 (6-piston) aluminum monobloc calipers on the front and the M4 (4-piston) calipers on the rear ensure incomparable braking power and consistency, and they share an economy of dimension with the V-Series lines. To enhance the shapes, along with the Harbor Grey, Edge Red and Royal Blue colors, the magnificent Tech Bronze color makes its début.

This chromatic finish, exclusive to Cadillac, offers a reduced essence that accentuates the performance, sophistication and distinctive look of the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing. Reinforcing the Cadillac brand identity is the V-Series logo on the carbon-ceramic disc housing.

3) Comfort: electronic parking brake

The Cadillac Type 53 is unanimously considered to have been the first modern car, because it was the first with three pedals, an ignition key, and the parking brake located halfway between the driver and passenger. More than a century has passed since then, even if the parking brake was revolutionized only in recent years.

The CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing are the first Cadillacs to use the electronic parking brake (EPB). In the Brembo EPB, the mechanical lever, the cables and mechanical links are replaced by an electronic button placed among the driver's controls. Therefore, no movement of the driver's feet is required further offering reduced complexity and weight.

The control button is the terminal element of a system that includes software, an ECU and specific electro-mechanical actuators. Compared to traditional parking brakes, the advantages are clear because the constant diagnostics analyze the slope of the road and the temperature of the discs.

4) Safety: control sensors

In order for the braking system to always work adequately, it is essential for the discs and pads to be in the best possible condition. However, with use, once the braking material on the pads gets to a certain point, they should be replaced.

For many drivers, the problem is assessing when replacing them becomes necessary, without getting to a critical point where braking may present problems. After all, many worry that they will have to give up pads that could even guarantee a few thousand more miles in order to save on expenses.

To overcome all this, for the first time, a Cadillac uses pad wear sensors: mounted on all four calipers, the Brembo sensors check the thickness of the friction material and, when it drops below what is considered to be the minimum level, they activate a warning light on the dashboard.

5) Sustainability: no copper

In January of 2015, the EPA, the American government and the automobile industries signed an agreement to reduce the use of copper and other materials such as mercury and lead in brake pads: the percentage of these materials must not exceed 5 percent in 2021 and 0.5 percent in 2025.

The intention is to decrease the flow of these materials from the roads to the waterways, thereby generating beneficial effects for the planet. Brembo has always held environmental issues dear, as is demonstrated by the multiple processes and procedures used for the sole purpose of cutting down on pollution.

Brembo Friction has a similar goal, with research and development operations that led to producing copper-free materials since 2017. And it is precisely these copper-free pads that are used by the CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing, because sustainability is one of the corporate cornerstones for Cadillac: in the goal of achieving zero emissions, even the brake pad material must do its part.