General Motors pretty much gave it all it had in the warmup to Monday night’s unveiling of the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing and CT4-V Blackwing.
It kicked things off last week with an online media reveal of the four-door cars that was conducted by members of the engineering and design staffs. During the discussion, several mentions were made of Cadillac’s dominance in recent years of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the first of sports car racing’s three big events, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans being the others.
It was obvious that Cadillac anticipated big things from its teams at Daytona last weekend and even emailed reporters a link to a commercial teasing the cars that was shown during the NBC telecast.
Everything was going to plan – except that Cadillac didn’t win the race. It came close. The Chip Ganassi Racing entry being driven by Renger van der Zande was second late in the running but a flat tire ended the team’s hopes with only minutes remaining.
That didn’t spoil the party, though. Cadillac officially unveiled the cars Monday night and you’d have to be a slug if you said you weren’t impressed. We’re talking about two ultra-high performance sedans that, the company says, “combine on-track excitement with luxury and comfort.”
Sounds good. Let’s take a closer look, starting with the power.
The CT5-V Blackwing uses an upgraded 6.2-litre supercharged V8 that, because of a higher flow air-intake and revised exhaust system, is rated at 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. The company says that this makes the CT5 the most powerful production Cadillac ever built.
Now, get this: each CT5 V8 is hand-assembled at GM’s plant in Bowling Green, Ohio. Each engine is numbered and its plate is signed by the builder. Now, that’s luxury, in my books.
The CT4-V Blackwing is an evolution of the Cadillac 3.6L Twin-Turbo V6 and features an improved air intake system coupled with revised control system software to create 472 horsepower and 445 lb-ft torque.
Both cars come with Brembo brake calipers (they come in grey, blue, bronze and my favourite, red) for controlled braking on the track and, if necessary, sudden stops on the street.
We know that both cars have plenty of power (GM-estimated top track speed: more than 300 kilometres an hour; GM-estimated 0-100 kph: 3.7 seconds) but because of its racing heritage, speed plants like the ones at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are the best places to stretch the legs of these two beauties.
There are other elements that go into making these cars fly like eagles – electronic limited slip rear differential, advanced suspension refinements, magnetic ride control, improved steering response and handling on the track – but that’s enough about speed and smoothness.
Because just as it’s highly unlikely that people who purchase luxury automobiles that double as off-road vehicles actually drive them onto the tundra, the same goes with people who will purchase these two dillacs. The cars might be track worthy but chances are they will probably never see one.
For those folks, here’s what interesting about the insides of the cars.
There are three levels of premium interiors (Base, Mid-level and Up-level) boasting unique trim and technologies including standard wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto capability and wireless phone charging.
The high-performance front seats can be adjusted 18 ways and include lumbar massage. The carbon-fibre seats in the CT5-V Blackwing cost extra but will likely be worth it.
As is the case with most manufacturers, Cadillac has been working on seat design that will improve comfort. The seats in these cars are designed to improve lateral support during track-day driving and adjustability to make people of all shapes and sizes feel comfy in other environments.
The seats have heat and driver’s memory settings plus those previously mentioned 18 adjustments.
The high-performance steering wheel comes with magnesium shift paddles and traction control. The steering wheel on the CT5-V is standard and an option on the CT4, which has one that’s less fancy. Meantime, the manual transmission centre console has a gearshift featuring a 3D-printed medallion cap.
A 12-inch-diagonal HD display includes unique V-Series Blackwing graphics and Track screen performance settings with timers for 0-100 kph and quarter-mile acceleration. A Performance Data Recorder will provide new levels of driving analysis. There are three display personas: Tour, Sport and Track.
The audio system has 14 speakers in the CT4-V Blackwing and 15 speakers in the CT5-V.
Reservations for both vehicles are now open with deliveries expected this summer. Pricing begins at $67,198 for the CT4-V Blackwing and $89,898 for the CT5-V.
CHICAGO (AP) — United Airlines has struck a deal with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to offer satellite-based Starlink WiFi service on flights within the next several years.
The airline said Friday the service will be free to passengers.
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
The announcement comes as airlines rush to offer more amenities as a way to stand out when passengers pick a carrier for a trip. United’s goal is to make sitting on a plane pretty much like being on the ground when it comes to browsing the internet, streaming entertainment and playing games.
“Everything you can do on the ground, you’ll soon be able to do on board a United plane at 35,000 feet, just about anywhere in the world,” CEO Scott Kirby said in announcing the deal.
The airline says Starlink will allow passengers to get internet access even over oceans and polar regions where traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals may be weak or missing.
Sony has made it easy for Canadian consumers to preorder the PlayStation 5 Pro in Canada directly from PlayStation’s official website. Here’s how:
Visit the Official Website: Go to direct.playstation.com and navigate to the PS5 Pro section once preorders go live on September 26, 2024.
Create or Log in to Your PlayStation Account: If you don’t have a PlayStation account, you will need to create one. Existing users can simply log in to proceed.
Place Your Preorder: Once logged in, follow the instructions to preorder your PS5 Pro. Ensure you have a valid payment method ready and double-check your shipping information for accuracy.
Preorder Through Major Canadian Retailers
While preordering directly from PlayStation is a popular option, you can also secure your PS5 Pro through trusted Canadian retailers. These retailers are expected to offer preorders on or after September 26:
Best Buy Canada
Walmart Canada
EB Games (GameStop)
Amazon Canada
The Source
Steps to Preorder via Canadian Retailers:
Visit Retailer Websites: Search for “PlayStation 5 Pro” on the website of your preferred retailer starting on September 26.
Create or Log in to Your Account: If you’re shopping online, having an account with the retailer can speed up the preorder process.
Preorder in Store: For those who prefer in-person shopping, check with local stores regarding availability and preorder policies.
3. Sign Up for Notifications
Many retailers and websites offer the option to sign up for notifications when the preorder goes live. If you’re worried about missing out due to high demand, this can be a useful option.
Visit Retailer Sites: Look for a “Notify Me” or “Email Alerts” option and enter your email to stay informed.
Use PlayStation Alerts: Sign up for notifications directly through Sony to be one of the first to know when preorders are available.
4. Prepare for High Demand
Preordering the PS5 Pro is expected to be competitive, with high demand likely to result in quick sellouts, just as with the initial release of the original PS5. To maximize your chances of securing a preorder:
Act Quickly: Be prepared to place your order as soon as preorders open. Timing is key, as stock can run out within minutes.
Double-Check Payment Information: Ensure your credit card or payment method is ready to go. Any delays during the checkout process could result in losing your spot.
Stay Informed: Monitor PlayStation and retailer websites for updates on restocks or additional preorder windows.
Final Thoughts
The PlayStation 5 Pro is set to take gaming to the next level with its enhanced performance, graphics, and new features. Canadian gamers should be ready to act fast when preorders open on September 26, 2024, to secure their console ahead of the holiday season. Whether you choose to preorder through PlayStation’s official website or your preferred retailer, following the steps outlined above will help ensure a smooth and successful preorder experience.
For more details on the PS5 Pro and to preorder, visit direct.playstation.com or stay tuned to updates from major Canadian retailers.
Since the PlayStation 5 (PS5) launched four years ago, PlayStation has continuously evolved to meet the demands of its players. Today, we are excited to announce the next step in this journey: the PlayStation 5 Pro. Designed for the most dedicated players and game creators, the PS5 Pro brings groundbreaking advancements in gaming hardware, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Key Features of the PS5 Pro
The PS5 Pro comes equipped with several key performance enhancements, addressing the requests of gamers for smoother, higher-quality graphics at a consistent 60 frames per second (FPS). The console’s standout features include:
Upgraded GPU: The PS5 Pro’s GPU boasts 67% more Compute Units than the current PS5, combined with 28% faster memory. This allows for up to 45% faster rendering speeds, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
Advanced Ray Tracing: Ray tracing capabilities have been significantly enhanced, with reflections and refractions of light being processed at double or triple the speed of the current PS5, creating more dynamic visuals.
AI-Driven Upscaling: Introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-based upscaling technology that adds extraordinary detail to images, resulting in sharper image clarity.
Backward Compatibility & Game Boost: More than 8,500 PS4 games playable on PS5 Pro will benefit from PS5 Pro Game Boost, stabilizing or enhancing performance. PS4 games will also see improved resolution on select titles.
VRR & 8K Support: The PS5 Pro supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and 8K gaming for the ultimate visual experience, while also launching with the latest wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, in supported regions.
Optimized Games & Patches
Game creators have quickly embraced the new technology that comes with the PS5 Pro. Many games will receive free updates to take full advantage of the console’s new features, labeled as PS5 Pro Enhanced. Some of the highly anticipated titles include:
Alan Wake 2
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
Demon’s Souls
Dragon’s Dogma 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Gran Turismo 7
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Horizon Forbidden West
These updates will allow players to experience their favorite games at a higher fidelity, taking full advantage of the console’s improved graphics and performance.
Design & Compatibility
Maintaining consistency within the PS5 family, the PS5 Pro retains the same height and width as the original PS5 model. Players will also have the option to add an Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Drive or swap console covers when available.
Additionally, the PS5 Pro is fully compatible with all existing PS5 accessories, including the PlayStation VR2, DualSense Edge, Pulse Elite, and Access controller. This ensures seamless integration into your current gaming setup.
Pricing & Availability
The PS5 Pro will be available starting November 7, 2024, at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of:
$699.99 USD
$949.99 CAD
£699.99 GBP
€799.99 EUR
¥119,980 JPY
Each PS5 Pro comes with a 2TB SSD, a DualSense wireless controller, and a copy of Astro’s Playroom pre-installed. Pre-orders begin on September 26, 2024, and the console will be available at participating retailers and directly from PlayStation via direct.playstation.com.
The launch of the PS5 Pro marks a new chapter in PlayStation’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming experiences. Whether players choose the standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, PlayStation aims to provide the best possible gaming experience for everyone.
Preorder your PS5 Pro and step into the next generation of gaming this holiday season.
