We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. Cadillac has historically been measured by its large vehicles, as they are a cornerstone of its heritage. Without a world-class large car, Cadillac would be an awful lot like New York City without any of its famous pizza, for example. Hard to even imagine, yet the American luxury brand has somehow soldiered on for decades without a class-leading full-size sedan. In the process, Cadillac has seemed to have lost the “Standard of the World” equity it once had.
Today, that trend appears to have taken an about-face with the debut of the 2016 Cadillac CT6.
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 offers a fresh take on the full-size segment, promising driving characteristics of vehicles much smaller, while at the same time showcasing breakthrough technologies one might expect from vehicles in this segment. Word is that the Cadillac CT6 is actually a full half-ton lighter than the Mercedes-Benz S-Class thanks to the mixed material usage of aluminum and high-strength steel being pioneered by the Omega platform. In fact, the new CT6 is supposedly lighter than the smaller CTS, which is already one of the lightest vehicles in its class. Chassis innovations include:
- 13 high-pressure aluminum castings in the body structure, which creates a lighter, stiffer structure, while also achieving what’s described as “bank vault” levels of quietness.
- An optional Active Chassis System, which features rear-wheel-steering, allowing for greater low-speed agility and high-speed stability. For example, in parking lots, the turning circle is only 37 feet (11.4 m), comparable with the CTS, which has a 114.6-inch wheelbase, while the CT6 manages to have a 122.4-inch wheelbase.
- Active-on-demand all-wheel drive featuring a continuously variable clutch that infinitely varies power delivery to the front wheels – up to 959 lb-ft (1,300 Nm) – to make the most of handling and stability in all conditions.
- Standard all-wheel-drive on all CT6 six-cylinder models. Cadillac says that its two-gear transfer case AWD system enables greater fuel economy than conventional fixed-torque AWDÂ systems.
- Advanced performance chassis system designed to deliver an engaging driving experience – with segment-best ride, handling and isolation qualities – through the use of Active Rear Steer, Magnetic Ride Control and selectable drive modes.
- Auto Vehicle Hold – a driver-selectable feature that prevents forward/rearward vehicle creep when the driver’s foot is off the brake. It reduces fatigue during heavy stop-and-go traffic and improves vehicle control on steep grades.
As for some of the technologies, Cadillac hasn’t been shy in talking about them. Even from a few years ago, we knew that Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology would be coming to a Cadillac flagship. But more recently, Cadillac revealed the ThruView camera-based rearview mirror system, allowing for better visibility than just using the rearview mirror alone. There’s also the segment-exclusive Bose 34-speaker sound system, and more, including:
- True 360-degree camera view around the vehicle, displayed via the CUE screen.
- Industry-first surround-view video recording system that can record front and rear views while driving, and 360 degrees of recording if the vehicle’s security system is activated.
- Enhanced Night Vision that helps identify people, large animals and more via heat signatures on a display in the driver information center. Anybody that’s ever come across a deer on the highway can appreciate this.
- New Advanced Park Assist integrates automatic braking into automatic parking.
- New Pedestrian Collision Mitigation technology provides pedestrian detection indications, alerts and automatic braking to avoid collisions.
- Large, 10.2-inch-diagonal CUE interface screen with 1280 x 720 HD resolution and console mounted touchpad, while promising a more responsive user interface, while being more ergonomically friendly.
- Wireless phone charging and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot.
The interior also has no shortage of indulgences, including:
- 40.4 inches (1027 mm) Â of rear legroom and segment-best interior storage, including 2.2L center console storage volume.
- quad-zone climate control.
- hands-free power decklid operation.
- 10-inch-diagonal rear-seat entertainment screens that retract into the front seatbacks, along with connectivity for brought-in devices.
- Opus leather, five massage programs, reclining rear seats and Cadillac’s first application of woven-in-seat heating elements. We told you it would.
At launch, the rear-wheel-drive-based Cadillac CT6 will offer three engines: the ubiquitous 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder LTG, the all-new naturally aspirated 3.6L LGX with 335 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.0L LGW V6 with a segment-best (for a V6) 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque that will exclusively be available in all-wheel-drive CT6 models. All of which are mated to eight-speed transmissions, while the V6 engines There won’t be any hybrid variants or V8 engines out of the gate, but you can do more than just expect them in the future
For now, all we can say is: welcome back to the full-size game, Cadillac. It hasn’t been the same without you.
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Comments
You forgot the 4 wheel steer and new pad based Cue which should resolve the issues that most reviews have had. In many cases it was the one major complaint and only hold back from a full endorsement.
10.2 screen and 5.5 more inches of leg room.
Last but not least it is 43 pounds lighter than the CTS. Hmmm. Can’t wait to drive it.
Not sure how to feel about this. Ima let it sink in a lil bit.
nice car, I just hope they don’t take 2-3 years for different variants, hopefully a V and a hybrid within a year from now as 2017’s
It looks a lot like a CTS doesn’t it?
Seeing it has been in development for 5-6 years and the show cars you were expecting were only 2-3 years old it will look like the other cars more refined.
Now that they have $12 Billion to spend you will get more show car styling with the future product that started in August of 2012,
This is why Cadillac stated this is not the flagship and this is not the German killing sedan. This is the next step in the advancement and a path to the cars that were finally funded properly.
Ciel is 4 yrs old.
Also it was a car far from production possibilities.
Now that they have money the shapes will evolve more so in the future.
Read this and understand what was not right, what is now going on and where this is all going.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-31/how-a-former-audi-guy-plans-to-spend-12-billion-reviving-caddy
An amazing luxury car! Read the features!!! Unbelievable and especially for the price!
American luxury is great!
I say in my native language; Spanish
Maravilloso Cadillac¡¡ Bravo¡¡
Had a same Dashboard Design of Buick Avenir Concept, but with other materials, Cadillac begins to fly very very high
This seems to be a well done, and well thought out car, to rub shoulders with the big boys. This is a bonafide luxury car, i’m thus, struggling to see the need for the natural aspirated V6.
With cars like even the last generation Vette, it’s been clear for some time that GM is capable of hanging with anyone, anytime, anyplace–if and when they put their hearts into it. I think we have a car here that’s proof of that, and it’s undoubtedly deserving of being mentioned in the same sentence as its German counterparts.
But it’s got problems. First, they’re launching it with limp-wristed powerplants. And secondly, it’s not what one would call groundbreaking in the looks department. Those days of Led Zeppelin and “break through” seem like eons ago. Now it’s more like, forgive me, Yanni.
In short, I don’t think it’s going to change perceptions or make much of a splash with the many mgercurios of the world. It’s a start though.
Well first off Cadillac must of been listening to me over the years complain about not having night vision anymore as this car brings it back. I will say that i am happy with what we have here. For one thing its good to see the car is 204 inchs long with a 122 wheelbase. This will translate into a car that feels large and not like a mid size ssquashed car(clears throat XTS). People keep attempting to compare this to the concept Continental,, read again CONCEPT. This is a production car and not a car that will be watered down not to mention FWD.
Yes i feel so,much better about this car then I did with the XTS when it was introduced. Also it sounds like Cadillac brought back cooled seats opposed to ventilated.
I feel you on that. All criticism aside, I hope Cadillac keeps/improves the XTS. I’m fine with Cadillac having a niche, FWD car, as long as it isn’t intended to compete with anything other than the Lexus ES or the upcoming Lincoln flagship.
There’s nothing wrong with having a big floaty luxo-barge as long as it isn’t crappy and as long as Cadillac doesn’t charge more than CTS prices for it. I’d rather that be their niche offering than some 5-series gt or x4 competitor.
I am hoping that the next gen. Traverse/Acadia/Enclave also shed some weight with this technology. Everyone I know that has had one has been very happy with everything but fuel economy. Powertrain improvements such as an 8/9 speed tranny would help too but that and shedding a few hundred pounds would do wonders for their fuel economy and GM’s overall CAFE too.
Meanwhile we have our first Car of the Year contender…..
What’s continental? What’s Lincoln??
is it true that this car will take pictures if people get to close to it even when parked? saw it on the CNN video of this car on youtube
Really like the styling of this car. Understated , elegant and rich looking. Job well done.
I know I’m gonna get a lot heat for this but whatever, it’s a free world. This design is half assed, it looks like a CTS with more chrome on the grill and an even more out of place looking rear end. The interior isn’t that great either, the center stack looks like it was torn straight out of Audi (coincidence?) gone are some of the unique design elements introduced on the cts for something more generic, the steering wheel? I don’t know what to say. At least the gauge cluster looks nice the seats aren’t bad either and I like how they put the seat controls on the door like Mercedes does. The dash and steering wheel didn’t need to change this drastically, all designers had to do was get rid of all the shiny piano black veneer and use more wood or carbon fiber or something. In terms of exterior styling, the designers could have at least tried to make the rear ends more coherent and make the car look a little more unique and introduce a little more individuality.
me quite like it, and a pretty big step forward. GM is making a good go to the same. Do not fall asleep, and Grow only forward.
Looks like the XTS is now an ugly older sibling the parents are secretly considering giving for adoption
Dare greatly – not too sure about the looks? Seems good in the tech department!
I LIKE BUICK AVENIR HELL OF A LOT MORE THEN THIS OVER SIZE CTS BUICK NEEDS TO STOP BS AND KILL CADILLAC ALL READY I KNOW THAY CAN BUICK LOOKS WAY BETTER THEN CADILLAC AND THAY SELL MORE CARS
Why would you kill the brand with the better long term profit potential and most room to grow.
GM has worldwide aspirations for Cadillac while Buick has only regional appeal at best.
Nice looking car, but that interior is a killer. Is has better looks than the car.
This is the interior of a luxury sedan. Kudos Cadillac.
Boy! All this tech sounds mesmerizing! Indeed a bold step in the right direction. I’m most curious to see how this impressive weight management and four wheel steering translates in the performance and handling department. 3700lbs in 200+ inch sedan?! That’s awesome! And the interior design is almost just right: not overly done and laden with buttons, yet more simplistic, but not too much. Handsome and simple.
But if there’s one drawback, it’s the exterior design. I know the intended purpose is to incorporate corporate styling across the lineup, every automaker does it, but a somewhat more distinctive design would’ve been greatly appreciated. This heavily resembles the CTS; although I personally believe the CTS is the most striking car in its class, I’d prefer it maintain its own design. The Elmiraj concept styling almost looked production ready, yet Cadillac designers have either changed their minds about it or are preserving the styling for the upcoming true flagship model. I don’t know; when the CT6 was teased in the Dare Greatly ad it appeared more striking……
Either way, great job GM!
Nice car but I’m a bit concerned that from the side it looks just like the slab-sided Chrysler 300 ! I’m a bmw freak but I’m definitely going to test drive this car. I’d like to drive American if they show me they can make a great car. My last and only Caddy was the first ( I believe 1993), Seville STS Northstar v8 with front wheel drive which was a beast! It should have been rear wheel drive since acceleration practically took the steering wheel out of your hands! I hope this New Caddy drives like a bimmer with a bit softer ride for this 71 year old.
Why must kill gm gm. GM must kill other car manufacturers. GM has to be very friendly with each other within the company and co-operation must be carried out. Only in this way can be big and strong in the automotive industry. GM makes something true and proper it is good for the entire GM
chrysler 200. not bad but lags behind in Malibu.the new Malibu looks very korrlik work and are high among the combatants. FORD MONDEO is near. But Mondeo saloon is a lot of bad plastic. But Ford Mondeo viganle has been severe.
ford mondeo vignale
ford mondeo st line
fuck wrong topic. I read this and thought why would talk to chryselr 300. Malibu is still chrysler 200 class.
I’m sorry, guys. I am a fool.
The profile is nicely proportioned. It is big. The interior is gorgeous. The technology is awesome. I’m not crazy about the front end; the oversize crest looks cartoonish. Missing the cornering lamps (which I really like on my DTS and find very useful). I don’t like the rear end, probably for the same reasons I don’t like the CTS’s . I like the XTS’s rear tail lights, with vestiges of fins, which strikes me as a heritage feature to glory days. (some may say good riddance).
I’m resigned to not seeing a V8. (thanks CAFE). Hopefully, with the weight savings, the TT’s 400 lbs of torque will prove adequate. I wish it success, but I suspect that at it’s price point, we will not see many on the road.
34 speakers!! really!
Honestly if cadillac brought this to production, then Bucik should bring their Avenir
Impressed……still a 2 door 4 seater v8 with stick or paddle shift in ANY model would be nice…..
forgot the kicker…. CONVERTIBLE !!
GM needs to get through the inner well and work together. so can only grow bigger and become better. GM must kill other car manufacturers not their products. Buick has to do as good as possible and as well as Cadillac, Chevrolet, and so on.
See how much you top products are decent VAG Group. Vag Group makes all of its cutting-edge products that destroy other manufacturers. Who wants who wants buick cadillac chevrolet, or who wants to. This thing does not happen, the others are not allowed to build better cars than or buick cadillac. Everyone should make the best cars and the customers choose.
GM has to offer themselves as much as possible leading-edge products. in order to get customers from other car manufacturers.
all GM products is very important. Old GM thought that all products are not important. VAG Group also has all of its products are important
Legitimate Luxury . This is what Cadillac was known for was a luxurious big car , lots of legroom in the back seat and creature comforts for everyone aboard . Fine materials and seating that cradles you in supple leather . Nice job Cadillac . Placing this car next to the Lincoln Continental concept makes the Lincoln seem bland . And the poor XTS will soldier on until 2019 and its gone . According to http://www.AutoGuide.com today , Johan even said that there will not be a direct replacement for the CTS and ATS . Those cars will be completely replaced and with the new alphanumeric names . I believe he said the there will be 18 new models in the lineup by 2020 . Thats an aggressive plan to meet but it is doable as long as the beancounters stay out of the way . I see a test drive in the future for sure .
Now this is a CADILLAC . A big car with room for taller adults and an engine that will move it down the road . And technology that is unique to the division . Great job Cadillac . This car sadly makes the new Lincoln Continental concept look second class . There is definitally a test drive in my future . And the sound system must rock . And 400 ponies under the hood from an engine exclusive to the division is awesome . Are we looking at ” Best in Class ” ?
Welcome back, Cadillac! The CT6 is the first genuinely disruptive product you have introduced in decades. Please back it up with equally disruptive sales and service — no haggle pricing, lifetime free maintenance, lifetime warranty, and 2-year resale price guarantee.
I am appalled at the reaction on Autoblog.com — people are still whining about ridiculous things, such as the new model nomenclature and Cadillac’s move to NY, and even more surprising, favoring the new Continental over the CT6. I can’t even bring myself to refuting these baseless comments. No matter what GM does, there are some people who will never be able to climb out of their personal pits of ignorance.
Needs more wood on the steering wheel…like on the top and bottom of the rim where it looks painfully obvious there should be some. Needs leather/wood inserts in the door panels, above and below the armrest – ever see the inside of a C- Class Benz. This cost a lot more…WTF GM?!?
Overall it’s a well proportioned big sedan. Unfortunately it’s a carbon copy in proportions and aura of the mid-size Euro luxury sedans. That’s not a bad thing. But it’s definitely not a stand out American inspired or flavored thing either.
I do appreciate the long front axle to dash ratio. It exudes a pompous aura of grandeur that the Euro cars do not have. And it definitely telegraphs the fact that it’s RWD. Overall a very very nice sedan in the vein of the vanilla, me-too’ers, which populate this segment. Hopefully the CT6 will have enough panache to distinguish itself and lock in the required conquest sales.
Finally a big car that is worthy of the Cadillac name . I can see one in my driveway next summer .