Mustang vs Cadillac

Muscle Showdown

Imagine pitting two American beasts against each other on the track: the Ford Mustang Dark Horse with its mighty 5.0-liter V8 engine, putting out a hefty 500 horsepower, and the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing with a slightly less beefy twin-turbo V6, generating 472 horses. Both deliver quarter-mile times in the low 12-second range, proving that they’re not just about looks. These two road warriors bring similar excitement for a price quite easy to swallow, running neck and neck in terms of performance value.

On the Track

In a series of races set up by Edmunds on an airfield, both cars squared off in a U-drag competition. The course included a sprint down the quarter-mile, a swift U-turn, and a dash back to the starting line. The CT4-V Blackwing, sporting a 10-speed automatic transmission, was pitted against a similarly equipped Mustang Dark Horse.

The first race showed the Cadillac jumping ahead at the start, thanks to its fast-acting V6, but the raw power and speed of the Mustang’s V8 engine quickly closed the gap as they shot down the track. When reaching the U-turn, the Mustang turned on the style, cutting the corner more efficiently, and sprinting down the other side, leaving the Blackwing in its rearview mirror.

Heartbeat of America

In the second match-up, drivers swapped cars, but the result mirrored the first. The Cadillac again took an initial lead with its agile start. However, the Ford Mustang, equipped with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires for added grip, again steered through the U-turn with more finesse, leveraging its additional power to clinch the win as they dashed to the finish line.

Looking at the numbers, the Mustang hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, while the CT4-V took 4.5 seconds. The quarter-mile was wrapped up in 12.5 seconds by the Mustang compared to 12.8 seconds by the Cadillac. Final times for the U-drag saw the Mustang finishing in 34.9 seconds, with the CT4-V following at 35.7 seconds.

Driving Feel

Driving each of these machines brings a distinct flavor. The Mustang feels like controlling a wild stallion; the roar of the V8 under the hood is intoxicating. It begs to be pushed to the limits, offering grip and power that feel innately American – classic muscle car charm but with modern refinement.

The Cadillac, on the other hand, is precise. It’s a surgeon in a doctor’s coat, with stability that makes it feel like it’s spring-loaded off the line. The twin-turbo V6 offers a sophisticated growl that betrays its performance pedigree. While it doesn’t have the raw punch of the Mustang’s V8, it handles like a dream.

On winding roads or the track, either car delivers thrills aplenty. Both stand as examples of what’s great about American automotive engineering, though the Mustang edges out due to its raw power and enhanced traction.