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This Cadillac CT5 Prototype May Be Testing GM’s New Ultra Cruise System

In a conference call last year, General Motors CEO Mary Barra alluded to the automaker’s upcoming new Ultra Cruise technology, saying the company was working on “rolling it out as quickly as we can with a strong focus on safety.”

While details about Ultra Cruise are slim, it’s expected to be an evolution of the automaker’s SAE Level 2 Super Cruise semi-autonomous system. In the same November conference call, Barra said Ultra Cruise would evolve over time just as Super Cruise has, changing to offer additional capability thanks to hardware upgrades and/or over-the-air software updates.

GM Authority’s sister site, Cadillac Society, recently caught a 2020 Cadillac CT5 prototype out testing on Michigan roads that had been outfitted with an array of self-driving sensors and cameras – potential evidence that Ultra Cruise may arrive sooner rather than later. While it seems unlikely the production version of Ultra Cruise would feature such a bulky camera and sensor arrangement, it’s possible this prototype is being used to help develop and refine the hardware and software that will eventually serve as the foundation of Ultra Cruise or another autonomous system from GM.

Our own spy photographers caught a previous-generation Cadillac Escalade testing a similar-looking camera and sensor array last summer as it drove near GM’s Milford Proving Ground in Michigan. This CT5 prototype is likely testing a more advanced version of the semi-autonomous system the SUV was, though this car has a much bulkier roof-mounted camera and sensor combination.

While GM engineers are currently busy developing Ultra Cruise, they haven’t turned their back on Super Cruise. The automaker added 70,0000 miles of divided highway in the United States and Canada to the system last year, enabling Super Cruise functionality on more than 200,000 miles worth of roads in North America. It recently added an automatic lane change function to it, as well, which allows the driver to initiate a lane change while in semi-autonomous mode by engaging the turn signal.

It’s not clear when Ultra Cruise may arrive, though it is likely still some time away. GM only recently got around to expanding Super Cruise’s availability beyond the CT6 sedan, offering it on the 2020 CT4, CT5 and 2021 Escalade. The technology is still a glaring omission on the list of optional extras for some of its other models, such as the XT6.

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This post was written in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. I was actually distracted from the story by the white CT5 in the pictures. It’s a looker that’s for sure. Saw my first one on the street and it was eye candy. Shame sedans are being shunned almost as bad as station wagons now.

    Reply
    1. Couldn’t agree more, Ford Guy. I saw a black Premium Lux about 2 weeks ago, and I was stunned by how good it looked in real life. WAY better than the already good-looking CTS in my humble opinion. I’m going to see one up close this weekend at the Cleveland Auto Show, I have a feeling it will only continue to impress then. Amazing how so much of the criticism has silenced now that its available in the flesh.

      Reply
      1. “Amazing how so much of the criticism has silenced now that its available in the flesh.”

        It could be that or it could be because once folks have said what they think, they see no point in continuing to beat the proverbial dead horse.

        I’ve seen the CT5 in person now and my opinion has not changed. Every time I look at it, I try to redesign the C-pillar in my head.

        Yesterday’s review over at AutoBlog said this: “Crisp lines, clean edges and sharp features [of the CTS] have given way to the CT5’s more flowing sense of style, and with the exception of its gracefully curved pseudo-fastback greenhouse that results in an unfortunately awkward C-pillar transition, it’s right on the border of blending in instead of standing out.” So I would say criticism hasn’t gone away but for those who’ve already weighed in, there is no point in continuing to repeat themselves. The market will ultimately decide if the design team at GM succeeded or not.

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        1. I’d say that’s partially true. But there is a major segment of Cadillac/GM fans who refused to drop the C-pillar thing for months. Not speaking strictly of GMA, but in many other places as well, the pile-on was beyond excessive. The “classic” zinger was the absolute comedic genius “Cadillac Accord” quip which got old basically right after the first time it was ever said, let alone the 3,648th time 4 months down the road.

          Contrasting that with today, when its now out on the road, the same people who wouldn’t shut up for months have now done so. Some of the honest ones have even admitted to liking it. Others sincerely don’t. I’m not saying everyone will or should like it, but yes, the criticism has died down considerably since they started hitting the showrooms. That’s why I never give my final aesthetic judgement until I see any car in the flesh.

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    2. And then there’s me. I’d kill for a wagon CT5.

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  2. Also recently saw my first one on the street. Could not believe how beautiful this car looks on the road. Pictures do not do it justice.

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  3. So it will do an autonomous lane change, all by it’s self, with just a (manual) flick of the turn signal. 😂😂😂

    You just can’t make this stuff up!

    I guess if your thinking ahead, not many drivers do! You could use it to eventually prepare for leaving the highway. Having the car move into the proper lane when clear while we to listen to our podcast uninterrupted.

    Reply
    1. Fastyle debbie downer for the win. All of this high tech autonomous stuff comes in stages. First it’s with the turn signal indicator, and then it’s without.

      Reply
    2. “Alexa” write a response for me!

      “Alexa”!!

      “ALEXA”!!! 😩😩😩

      I have to do it for my self! 😞

      Quit being so sensitive folks.

      Reply
  4. CT5 does look better in person. Dealers now have them in stock.

    Reply
  5. It looks good, except from the front, in profile, and from the rear.
    There’s a reason why they don’t put Cadillac emblems on their models. They’re embarrassed.

    Reply

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