Just a couple of short weeks ago, we spotted the Cadillac CT5 interior, giving us our very first look at the cabin of the upcoming compact midsize tweener luxury sedan. Upon closer inspection, one of the elements that caught our eye was the prototype’s shifter (or gear selector).
Notably, the gear selector in the Cadillac CT5 prototype captured at the end of October seems to be a unit that we haven’t seen before. In fact, it appears to be GM’s first-generation Electronic Precision Shift (EPS) technology that debuted on the 2017 Cadillac XT5, but with a few modifications specific to the CT5.
The modifications in question include a different gear selection pattern for the Reverse and Neutral gears, along with an available manual shifting mode.
As such, the CT5 prototype appears to use an updated version of the first-generation Electronic Precision Shift, rather than the second-generation version introduced on the 2019 Cadillac XT4 and 2019 CT6. The distinction is notable (and somewhat strange) given that the CT5 – soon to be Cadillac’s newest product – will likely launch with an outdated gear selector when compared to the all-new XT4 and facelifted CT6.
We should, however, mention that it’s possible that the gear selector seen in these CT5 spy shots is being used as a placeholder for the second-generation unit, though that scenario brings more questions than it does answers.
Stay tuned to GM Authority for more Cadillac CT5 news coverage.
About Cadillac CT5
The CT5 is a new luxury sedan from GM's Cadillac brand. The model will replace both the ATS and CTS Sedans in the future Cadillac product portfolio. The vehicle will be larger than the ATS yet slightly smaller than the CTS, and positioned as a D-segment offering that's slightly larger than the BMW 3/4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class segment stalwarts.
The traditional four-door sedan body styles for the CT5 is a shoe-in. A two-door coupe is possible. A convertible is less of a possibility, and a wagon is out of the question thanks to consumers' ongoing love affair with crossovers.
The CT5 rides on an updated version of the GM Alpha platform dubbed internally as Alpha 2. It will be powered by the following engines:
- New turbo-charged 2.0L LSY I-4 TriPower as the base engine making around 250 horsepower
- Twin-turbocharged 3.0L LGW V-6 making over 400 horsepower
An ultra-high-performance CT5-V model is expected, but it's currently unknown which engine it will use. Two possibilities include the twin-turbo 4.2L LTA V8 or the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8.
All engines will be mated to the new GM 10-speed automatic transmission.
The Cadillac CT5 will launch in North America in the third or fourth quarter of the 2019 calendar year as a 2020 model year. A China launch is expected to take place in the second or third quarter of 2019.
The CT5 will be built at the following plants:
- GM Lansing Grand River plant in Michigan to supply America, Korea, Europe and the Middle East
- Jinqiao Cadillac plant in China to supply China and Russia
Comments
It’s not a tweener u d.umb &ucks
Actually, it is. It’s going to be smaller than the current CTS, which is already kinda small (I have one). I can’t imagine anything smaller than the ATS, which is basically a two-seater.
No it is not. It will be a D class car, thats why it will be smaller than the CTS, which is now positioned as an E segment car.
CT5 is a D class car. And the size fits to this segment.
No Kay. Let me break it down for you so that you get it.
The CT5 is exactly a tweener because it’s going to be larger than the defining D class cars. Yes it will compete in the D segment. No it won’t be a direct D segment model. Who’s the dumb fu#% now?
U)) because it’s not larger than the current d segment cars. The new 3 is quite big. Probably the CT5 will be a Lil bit bigger, but not that big to call it a tweener. The current ct6 is a tweener.
Have you any clue? Have you not being paying any attention?
They are making all new models big enough to suffice being extended length “L” models that are in demand in China.
The CT5 will be a D+ car from the onset to be able to satisfy that requirement, which automatically makes it a tweener.
+10 @Rob.
CT5 will straddle D and E segments – or D+ as you indicate – not unlike first two generations of CTS. Current generation plays squarely in E segment.
No it wont.
CT5 is a D class car. Period
You saying something that is untrue does not suddenly make it true.
Praise god.. I have a CTS and the shifter is fine, but had an Enclave and an XT5 as loaners and they were horrible. The shifter makes absolutely NO sense. Just an indication of how crazy stupid GM is these days. Also, my CTS is the junkiest, unreliable piece of … I’ve ever owned. Dealing with the dealerships is a nightmare. Stay far, far away!
Cadillac vehicles to begin w/ are overpriced rebadged Chevrolet vehicles to begin with. Same goes for GMC and Buick.
@Zach you mean like rolls royce and bmw? or nissan and infiniti? or vw, bently, porche, and audi? or what about toyota lexus, ford and lincoln? oh oh maybe FCA and all their cars. You act like this isnt a common practice in the car industry.
Join the club. Our dealership is and has been great since 2004 when we found it. After having a 2004 SRX and a 2011 CTS (not to mention another problem free SRX, and a 2006 CTS owned by our relatives) we almost left Caddy after all the problems with the 2014 CTS.
At only 6800 miles, they found a leaking rear main seal during the first oil change. Then the heated steering wheel didn’t work the first time we tried it. in addition, the car was missing an ionizer when it came from the factory, we had to replace all 4 RF tires after hitting potholes (all on separate occasions), the key hole cover on the drivers door fell off, we needed new piston rings at 47K miles, the car burned coolant by time we traded it at 53k miles, the plastic piece fell off the bottom of the front seat.
All work was done under warranty (thank god) but the tires were still $700 each.
We ended up replacing it with the 2017 XT5 which is by far the best car we’ve ever owned. Its amazing in the snow, it gets great mileage (31 MPG on a 91 mile drive to the beach), its big, its comfortable, and when in sport mode; it drives pretty damn close to the CTS in “Tour”.
I have had just the opposite Experience with my 2016 CTS which I absolutely love in every respect. I think it is beautiful inside and out and I have had absolutely not one bit of trouble with it after 3 years. The service which is free has been fabulous and the dealer has been only too accommodating in every way. Sorry that Joe Smith had this problem and feels otherwise but I look forward to getting another Cadillac
EPS, Electronic Precision Shift. Now that’s an ironic term for Cadillac to use seeing that my last $80,000 Escalade wouldn’t even shift properly driving downhill with a tail wind. What a joke for that word to be used to describe anything associated with GM. Buy an $20,000 Hyundai, at least the transmission will work.
The shifter is the same one that is in my 2017 Chevy Bolt. Maybe it’s a E.V.??? Works just fine in my Bolt!!!
Live to dream.. as a more important question is whether a modern sedan be considered as a sports sedan without paddle shifters even as an option.