While the United States waits until March, China will be graced with the 2016 Cadillac CT6 in a few short weeks, as production ramps up locally via the SAIC-GM partnership.
The locally produced 2016 CT6 is virtually indistinguishable from the North American car, save for the illogic trim levels we still can’t wrap our heads around.
Nonetheless, the 40T trim will arrive with new twin-turbo 3.0-liter LGW V6, while a 28T trim utilizes the familiar 2.0-liter LTG turbo-four.
The Chinese Cadillac CT6 will still feature a host of luxury amenities, too, including the exclusive Bose Panaray sound system, Night Vision, Magnetic Ride Control and OnStar.
Expect China to also receive first dibs on the upcoming Cadillac CT6 PHEV, as Cadillac states nearly every vehicle within its model lineup will eventually see a plug-in option.
Comments
The CT6 will be a big volume boost for Cadillac in China.
Introducing the CT6 in China first underscores how important it is to that market where there is a huge demand for vehicles for the chauffeured set.
Would it cost that much to build the CT6 here in the states and export them to China ? They are going to buy them in huge volumn anyways .
The cost differences to produce here would be significantly higher but the other issue is the really high import tax for vehicles not produced in China that would make it cost prohibitive to export there.
Maybe the better question is, why bother building the CT6 in the US for the US market?
It would be much cheaper to build every CT6 in China, and ship it to the US.
The Buick Envision already does this, and this will be the future of the CT6 as well.
The Chinese market is much more important than the smaller US market.
Buick and Cadillac are not for Europe, so build everything in China, sell most of them in China, and ship the rest cheaply to the US, and start making nice huge profits.
I have a theory to the odd trim level naming:
40T represents 400 HP supplied partially by a turbo
28T represents the 272 HP supplied partially by a turbo
In other words, the number/letter combo clues you in to the engine type (NA vs. turbo) and output.
Anyone else agree or have other ideas?