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If the $340,000 price tag for a hand-built Cadillac Celestiq is beyond your budget, fear not! Cadillac is offering hand-built versions of these cars at just half the price!
The automotive industry is buzzing with excitement and disbelief over the bold pricing of over $340,000 for the hand-built, completely customized 2025 Cadillac Celestiq luxury hatchback. However, in a cautious approach, the company is first experimenting with hand-building a limited number of highly coveted CT5-V Blackwing models. These models have been specially commissioned to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Cadillac's V-Series. Despite their differing price points, both vehicles undergo a similar commissioning process and are assembled by hand in Warren, Michigan, situated on opposite sides of 12-Mile Road.
Iconic Milestone: 5th Collectors' Series Becomes First to be Hand-Built, Setting New Standard in Craftsmanship
Since 2011, there have been a total of 11 special edition V-series models. The most recent five editions have all been part of the Blackwing Collectors' Series, which began in 2022 with the Launch Year Collector Series editions. These editions included 250 units each of the CT4- and CT5-V Blackwing models. In 2023, a run of 121 CT5s commemorated Cadillac's 120th anniversary, while 99 CT4-V Blackwing Track Editions paid homage to iconic road courses at Sebring, Road Atlanta, and Watkins Glen (33 cars for each track). This year, 66 CT4-V Blackwing Mondrian Editions were released, followed by a limited run of 21 CT5-Vs celebrating two decades of V-series production. The first four series were all constructed on the main line at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, typically in batches, with additional gear installed and special quality checks. However, the fifth series marks the first time a model is being constructed off-line, entirely by hand.
The bodies of the cars are assembled in Lansing, painted black, and transported to GM's Milford Proving Grounds nearby. At the Milford Proving Grounds, they undergo meticulous checks, with panel gaps adjusted and the body surface meticulously sanded by hand. This includes detailed work on the engine compartment and trunk inner lid. Subsequently, they are resprayed in the desired custom color, following the strict guidelines provided by the paint supplier, PPG, for refinishing. Each car receives three coats of clear paint, with additional sanding performed between coats. Overall, an impressive 200 to 250 hours are invested in the painting process alone.
Following the painting process, the bodies are transported to GM's Artisan Innovation Center, located across the street from the Warren Tech Center, designed by Eero Saarinen. This facility, also known as the PPO (pre-production operations) center, was previously responsible for constructing all prototype vehicles used by GM for durability and crash testing. However, advancements in computer modeling and digital-twin testing have reduced the need for physical prototypes, leading the PPO center to seek alternative projects.
The assembly of these bespoke vehicles presents an ideal opportunity for the skilled staff at the PPO center. Final assembly typically requires around 80 to 100 hours for bolting parts together. However, when factoring in all quality checks and signoffs, this time frame expands to 200 hours or more. By comparison, factory assembly typically takes between 50 to 80 hours. Similar to factory assembly, all fastener torque specifications are meticulously verified, but instead of using a visible paint pen to mark checked fasteners, fluorescent ink is utilized, visible only under ultraviolet light. It's these intricate details that enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate on concours fields in the future.
What's Included in the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Hand-Built Cadillac
For this series, a custom palette of 20 exclusive colors, not available on production models, was curated, with two clients opting for black. Inside the vehicles, three distinct upholstery designs are offered, and the serial number is prominently displayed on the steering wheel and sill plates. A bespoke start-up animation greets drivers on the screens. Additional personalized touches include a plaque on the B-Pillar, the availability of three new wheel designs, and a choice of four caliper colors.
The 2025 Cadillac CT5 V Anniversary Edition 2 offers most of the regular-production options, including the choice between manual or automatic transmission. Interestingly, the preference between manual and automatic transmission mirrors that of regular production, with an even split. Each vehicle bears a VIN plate indicating its special assembly, with the last four digits of the VIN ranging from 2004 to 2024, symbolizing the years of Cadillac's V-series production. Owners who attach personal significance to a specific year were given the opportunity to select their VIN for a fee of $7,120. It's important to note that this fee doesn't include any tangible items but rather compensates for the logistical complexity of aligning a specific car with a particular VIN. Approximately half of the buyers opted to specify their preferred "year" for their vehicle.
In addition to the vehicle itself, buyers of the 2025 Cadillac CT5 V Anniversary Edition 2 receive several exclusive items. These include a certificate of authenticity, personally signed by Cadillac Executive Chief Engineer Brandon Vivian, along with a hand-signed photo of the assembly team. A leather binder containing 70 photos taken during the car's assembly process is also provided. Additionally, all Blackwing engines used in these vehicles are signed by their constructors in Bowling Green, adding a personalized touch to the ownership experience.
The final units of this exclusive series are currently in the assembly process. Each of the fortunate 21 collectors who secured a spot in this series invested $36,000 for the option (RPO ZLT), which brings the "base price" to $132,990 for the six-speed manual and $133,490 for the automatic. However, these figures can quickly escalate to $170,000 or more with additional options such as carbon-fiber aero kits and ceramic brakes. Nevertheless, considering the craftsmanship involved in hand-painting and hand-building a 668-horsepower super sedan, these prices are quite reasonable. Commissioning a 2024 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 20th Anniversary of V-Series Special Edition (or any future Cadillac offerings for 2025) serves as excellent preparation for customizing a Celestiq, or exploring options from Rolls-Royce Coachbuild or Bentley Mulliner.
Source: Motortrend
