2017 Cadillac CT6
The big Cadillac is back!
Date Posted: March 14, 2016
By Zack Spencer
Cadillac has developed a new full-size sedan with an eye not only to the North American market but also China. This new rear wheel drive or all wheel drive sedan sits between two segments and is lighter than the competition, offering good handling and power.
Cadillac is one of the oldest car companies in the world, with a storied history surrounding technology and major engineering advancements. Cadillac is also known for producing large, luxurious sedans, like the iconic Fleetwood and Sedan de Ville. Those cars had presence and an attitude that until now has been lacking in the Cadillac lineup. Now, with the introduction of the CT6 sedan, Cadillac is back in the game with a unique offering targeted at those that maybe had never considered a Cadillac but might be shopping for a BMW, Mercedes or any other large luxury sedan.
The Launch of the CT6 was held in Southern California and upon arriving at the airport; guests were swept away in the back seat of this large sedan. Cadillac wanted us to enjoy the spaciousness and amenities of the back seat before we had a chance to drive the CT6 on twisty country roads outside of San Diego. The back seat is important to the global aspirations of this car. In China, executives and high-net individuals get chauffer driven, so longer wheelbase cars are hugely popular. Cadillac wants to stand out out in this regard because the CT6 sits, on size, between the 5 Series BMW and the large 7 Series; the same thing for the E-Class Mercedes and S-class. This in-between sizing will appeal to those that want a roomy back seat but still keep the agility of a smaller car.
The styling reflects this size approach. Typically. Long wheelbase cars have stretched rear doors, where this CT6 has the correct proportions from the front to the back. The new look of Cadillac with its vertical headlamps and integrated fog lights is certainly differentiating the brand and making a statement during the day and especially at night. The styling could best be described as subdued. No garish emblems or too much chrome, this is a car for 2016, reflecting a more polished taste, almost German tastes.
The interior is a showcase in technology and sophisticated materials and design. All of the materials are what they appear. For example, what looks like carbon fiber is the real thing, not faux plastic. The same for the open-pore wood accents and the fine leather on the seats doors and dash. In fact, Cadillac has a hand cut and sewn interior on all its products.
The interior is filled with the latest technology including a track pad between the front seats where the driver can trace numbers and letters onto the pad and, in turn, find names, phone numbers even navigations requests inside the large 10-plus inch screen in the dash. There is also a 4G LTE hotspot inside the car that can be used to stream information to connected devices inside the car. Rear passengers can bring their own iPads, for example, or if the top platinum trim is chosen, the same, streamed media can be placed on two 10-inch rear seat screens built into the front seats. So on a long trip, passengers can catch up on a Netflix show or watch YouTube videos. There is also a fully projected instrument cluster behind the steering wheel that can also be customized by the driver.
Even with all this new technology, Cadillac has admitted that real switches and dials are better than touch-sensitive capacitive areas, and replaced those with the real thing. One item that is missing, but GM says will be included soon, is a good old fashion volume knob on the dash.
The available Bose Panaray audio system that has to be heard to be belived. It has 34 speakers throughout the cabin, including two speakers in each front headrest to deliver amazing clarity and base for all passengers.
The drive of the CT6 is also filled with new technology. There are three engines to choose from, starting with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that is only available with rear wheel drive, so I suspect not many of those will be ordered in Canada. The mainstream engine is an all-new 3.6L V6 with 335hp and will be matched to an all wheel drive system. The big horsepower version is the new 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 with 404hp. Having had a chance to drive both of the V6 engines, the 3.6L will be perfect for most applications but isn’t very inspiring in the acceleration department, where the new turbo is.
On top of new engine offerings, this CT6 can have a dynamic chassis that provides GM’s magnetic ride system that samples the road and adjusts the stiffness, plus there is a 4-wheel steering system that can turn the rear wheels opposite to the front wheels for better low speed maneuvers, or in the same direction as the front wheels for higher speed lane changes. The biggest asset is the lack of weight. The CT6 is lighter than its competitors, even those in the larger class, so hustling down the road and exercising this big car on twisty Californian roads was a delight.
This new Cadillac is showcasing the engineering might of General Motors to a new generation of potential buyers. It has the handling, technology and driving dynamics that place it right in the mix with many German cars, it is that good. The price starts at $63,570 for the 3.6L V6 with AWD. The turbo AWD model starts at $73,104 and the top Platinum model is a whopping $94,620. There is value her on the less expensive cars but the top version might be a tough sell.
It is good to see the iconic Cadillac brand getting back to being a technology showcase again, this CT6 is a rolling ambassador for what GM is doing right.
Power: 2.0L 4-cylinder or 3.6L V6 or 3,0L V6 TT
Economy: N/A
Sticker price: $$61,245-$94,620
this CT6 is a rolling ambassador for what GM is doing right
