Community Question: Could The Upcoming Cadillac CT5 Be A Sportback?
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Recent spy shots published of the upcoming Cadillac CT5 published by our sister site, Cadillac Society, show two intriguing design traits:
- A sloping fastback-like profile, and
- A rear decklid that’s shorter than that of a traditional sedan
Both elements might indicate that the Cadillac CT5 will come in a sportback body style, which is defined by the two aforementioned exterior design characteristics.
It Wouldn’t Be The First Time
The all-new sixth-generation Buick Regal replaces the sedan body style of the previous generation model
If (and that’s a big “if”) the future Cadillac CT5 is brought to market with a sportback body style, it wouldn’t be a first time that a GM product eschewed a traditional sedan layout for a sportback design. The General just replaced the fifth-generation Buick Regal sedan with a new 2018 Buick Regal Sportback. Another GM model currently using a sportback setup is the Chevrolet Volt.
Though Cadillac has not produced a sportback model in recent history, the brand’s latest public-facing design study – the Escala Concept – is a sportback.
The Cadillac Escala Concept, pictured here at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, featured a sportback design that’s characterized by a sloping rear loofline and a short rear decklid.
What Do You Think?
It’s too early to tell whether or not the CT5 will arrive as a traditional sedan or as a sportback, which is why we’re asking you: what do you think of the idea of the CT5 rocking a sportback configuration?
Check out the spy shots of the 2020 CT5 at Cadillac Society here and sound off in the comments below.
About 2020 Cadillac CT5
The Cadillac CT5 is an upcoming family of luxury passengers cars. Expected to launch in 2019 as a 2020 model year vehicle, the CT5 will be based on the GM Alpha 2 platform – an upgraded version of the original Alpha architecture that underpins the first-gen Cadillac ATS and third-gen Cadillac CTS.
Previously, Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen stated that the current ATS and CTS will not receive direct successors, leading us to believe that the 2020 Cadillac CT5 will be uniquely positioned to occupy the price range of C-segment luxury cars such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3/4 Series, Lexus IS/RC, Audi A4/A5, and Alfa Romeo Giulia, while being slightly larger than those vehicles, though not quite as large as the next segment up – the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS or Audi A6.
The Cadillac CT5 is expected to be offered as a four-door sedan. A two-door coupe variant is highly likely. Convertible and wagon versions are possible, with latter being particularly important for the European market, with Cadillac planning to enter the market in full force around calendar year 2021.
The CT5 will be built at the GM Lansing Grand River plant, which is the current birthplace of the ATS, CTS and Chevrolet Camaro. A Shanghai-GM plant will produce the model for China to avoid the country’s extremely hefty import tariffs.
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The shape reminds me of a 3 Series Gran Turismo. Personally, I like funky cars with lots of practicality. I also think Cadillac is making a smart move with the sizing: Something in-between a 2 & 3 Series, and then the 3 & 5 Series. They could still offer the Escala or similar as a flagship. All that said, I’d keep a more traditional shape as an option on these upcoming cars. There is something to bland sells, like it or not.
By the pictures already it Looks Sexy Asf
Agreed. Those Escala “boomerang” lights make me all 🙂
The slope of the C-pillar would give more head room for taller rear passengers which could be a big plus as no one over 6-foot wants to sit in the back of a Cadillac ATS.
If it is sportback, Chevy could bring RWD sedan because of more different.
Like I have been calling for years, all Cadillac Sedan offerings need to be Sportbacks. Americans do not buy many Sedans anymore. Unfortunately for Cadillac, the biggest markets are USA/China and they prefer CUV’s from all reports. The C/A4/3 have a cult following so those will continue to sell. But BMW has the four door 4 series and Audi the A5 four door coupe as well. As far as midsize cars go, all three German manufacturers offer Sportback models. 6/CLS/A7.
No.
http://media.cadillac.com/media/us/en/cadillac/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2018/mar/0321-ct6vsport.html
Honda Accords are sport back this year, with Buick going that route now I would not be surprised to see the new CT5 with similar styling. The current market for SUVs/CUVs is not likely to slow down in the foreseeable future so this would be a plus for Cadillac, despite higher profit per vehicle they need to increase volume of sales. JMO
The honda accord still has the traditional trunk, the window stays down when the trunk is open. The accord along with many other sedans has the profile of a sportback, but they are still considered sedans. The regal and the stinger along with a few others are considered sportbacks because their back window goes up with the rear deck lid. Its a hatchback that looks more like a sedan than a hatchback.
As a CT6 owner, I think this a great idea. I love my CT6 for a number of reasons, but at 56, I feel I’m still a bit “too young” for the car and the interior and general refinement and “presence” of the CTS were not enough for me. My lease is up in a year, I hope it’s available. Of course, the updated CT6 is beautiful too…. I love choices!
It would be wonderful if the CT5 was also offered as a convertible
This would be a smart move by Cadillac.
A Sportback fills a white space in their lineup and creates compelling differentiation in the showroom beyond length of wheelbase.
As the market trends toward CUV/SUV a Sportback brings an air of practicality that a traditional sedan simply can not.
Escala design language, Sportback, 4.2TT, AWD and Book. Sign me up!
RWD/AWD better than your average Chevy HP and torque the same size as our old 2004 CTS not run flat tires Escala looks, WE WILL replace our ATS with one of these I have a feeling these will be great!
Wow What a beautiful car car. But You should also have an luxury home to maintain your image in the society.
A sportback from Cadillac? Yikes! But, if it would fill a void and drum up sales for Cadillac, then of course build the sportback. Cadillac, let me remind you of the surge in sales and excitement that the introduction of the ATS brought. The chassis design was brilliant and the 2-door coupe was beautiful and still is to this day. You are not replacing the ATS, but do not forget what made it great. The sportback is fine, if it will fill void, but although 2-door coupes are not the biggest in sales, you will create a void as a luxury car maker and drive more US car buyers to luxury imports looking for luxury 2-door coupes if you do not include a coupe. Finally, the coupe with a sportback is a practical choice, but you also need to offer the traditional coupe with/out the sportback that includes a rear-drive a four-drive version! Icing on the cake would be a traditional coupe convertible that we have been waiting for years from Cadillac.
Oops! Prior to the last sentence, I meant to say ‘…w/out the sportback that includes a rear-wheel and a four-wheel drive version!’