Next-Gen Cadillac CT6 Prototype Spied For First Time: Photos
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Just last week, GM Authority published exclusive details on the next-generation Cadillac CT6 luxury sedan, and now, we’re back at it with the very first photos of the vehicle testing on public roads in prototype form.
From the off, it’s clear the second-gen Cadillac CT6 will introduce new styling for the four-door, as first reported by GM Authority and confirmed by these spy photos. The front and rear fascias will incorporate vertical and horizontal lighting treatments that will be similar to the refreshed first-generation Cadillac CT6, although the new model will incorporate revisions that take the look to a new level.
The profile view of this second-gen prototype also confirms that the shape of the greenhouse will differ from the more “blocky” greenhouse of the current Cadillac CT6, incorporating pillar treatments that echo the current Cadillac CT5. The roof treatment also looks to be a bit more angled and coupe-like as compared to the first-gen, without deviating too much from the traditional three-box sedan layout. The C-pillar treatment is also much thinner, resulting in a larger rear vanity window. In back, the new CT6 will run exhaust finishers in line with CT4 and CT5.
Also of note are the wheels, with this prototype model running 20-inch Platinum Twin 5-Spoke alloy wheels with a Manoogian finish and chrome inserts (RPO code RQ9), the same rollers offered with the current Cadillac CT6.
Overall vehicle sizing will be roughly equivalent to the first-generation model. Under the skin, the second-gen Cadillac CT6 will ride on the VSS-R vehicle set, a modular architecture that will also incorporate elements of the Omega platform and underpin rear-wheel-drive based vehicles.
For now, the second-generation Cadillac CT6 will definitely be sold in the Chinese market, and it’s unclear at this time if GM will import the model to the U.S. as well. As a reminder, GM discontinued the CT6 for the North American market following the 2020 model year.
With that in mind, the new CT6 is expected to cradle the turbocharged 2.0L LSY gasoline engine, and may offer a mild-hybrid variant closely related to the 48V system introduced with the 2021 Cadillac XT5 and XT6 crossovers in China. The CT6 will also leverage GM’s Global B / VIP electrical architecture, which will include the possibility for offering the GM Super Cruise system and over-the-air updates.
Keep it locked on GM Authority for all the latest on this upcoming model, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for further Cadillac CT6 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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They aren’t going to sell it here.
Well, it’s on VSS-R, they had to drop the 1st gen for the Detroit factory. Since LGR is assume to build VSS-R soon I’m hoping for another chance.
Me to I just don’t see it happening but who knows, hopefully it will be sold here as well.
Are all Cadillacs built in China?
They make Cadillacs in China for the Chinese market and probably for what other little sales there are in the region outside of China, but they don’t export them to the US.
The exception to that was the previous CT6 Hybrid which was imported to the US from China and sold like coldcakes…..
The only Chinese made car GM currently sells here is the Buick Encore from what I recall.
The only GM car exported to the US is the Buick Envision, not the Encore. The Encore and Encore GX are imported from South Korea. Too Bad, because I think the Envision is a nice design, but I’m not buying anything built in China.
Thats the one, I knew it was an En…something, didn’t really care enough to find out.
Thanks!
No, the CT5 is built in Lansing, MI and the Escalade in Arlington, TX.
I believe none are built outside America for sale in NA. XT5/6/ Lyriq in Spring Hill, CT4 LGR and XT4 Kansas City.
@ Guestt
A boy can dream right.
Sorry for the song of ice and fire reference lol.
Glad to be able to connect with this GM site. Love GM products.
To not sell here would be insane given 1) Cheap labor costs 2) Americans like large giving vehicle advantage over CT5 in Middle America 3) superior driving dynamics of Omega-derived architecture.
Looks, unfortunately, like an Impala with zero creative design elements. This I’m a big Fusion & Audi wannabe me too styling does not bode well for Cadillac in an era when lesser brands such as Mazda, Kia and Peugeot exhibit more creative street cred.
I’m buying can’t wait
What other vehicles are planned for VSS-R?
I believe I itially it eas supposed to underpin the replacements for the Alpha and Omega based vehicles including the CT Series, the XT Seties, and the Camaro. That was of course u til gm decided to go “all electric”
That’s what I understood as well. ICE Camaro won’t be replaced and it’s hard to imagine CT4 and 5 getting full ground-up redesigns. Maybe they’ll give us a RWD crossover like they were planning to do with Omega.
Camaro replaced with EV 😆😆😆. Won’t happen. I’ll believe it when I see it, just like Cadillac is leading the charge of lowercase gm’s electric vehicles….. yet last week we saw a new compact ICE car and this week an new CT6. Lip service. Just like the planet was supposed to melt by 1995, again in 2000, 2003, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2020 and now by 2030. Just lip service for the hippies…. Cause if my state trooper brother in law is correct, green peace has cause more recorded financial toll on our country than the taliban 😡 got to shut up and appease those manbuns…..
…was really just asking about cars, but thanks for MORE politics. 🫤
Geesh it seemed like a lifetime ago this was the main topic. You can add the second gen XT6 and XT7 to the list.
None! They should have just reskinned current CT6 and saved on R&D and retooling. A companion vehicle should be made for Buick but will never happen.
I hope for a Buick version to CT6, it would be a great Park Ave. We get bumbling SUVs instead…
I can’t rule out the Escalade even though it hasn’t been comfirmed yet.
The next Escalade will get VSS-T global truck platform if still in the works, the platform that is.
Wow that’s very promising. Please put the V8 for the top model. First gen Ct6 was too boring with a rubbish interior. I’m pretty sure this will be beautiful inside and out.
Can’t wait for the Celestiq.
You’ll be waiting a long time then because they aren’t moving forward with the celestiq.
Do you know that for sure are you just speculating? Agreed it’s not looking good for the Celestiq but do you have insider info?
Looks like the styling is a production version of the Escala concept. Makes sense. We’ll never see it in NA.
It will be nice to see the real car without the camo. I sure did like the first CT6.
“and it’s unclear at this time if GM will import the model to the U.S. as well”
No more imported Chinese crap. If you cannot build in the USA a vehicle that you charge $60k+ for, keep it.
Tigger, I will need to agree with you on that one. Serious question however. Would you rather not have this car at all or have it but only if assembled in China? That’s a tough one for me, Sure would like to see this car here in some way. I know it’s just an excuse (for me), but I see GM as GM weather assembled here or in another country. But I certainly prefer it be assembled here.
I would have to say build it here or nothing. I am biased because thus would be a vehicle I would definitely consider. It love big sedans and this looks even longer than the last CT6
I agree….I would rather not have it, than have one built in China.
1-EVERY single car review will mention that its made in China and put stink on the car before it even launches.
2-Who will wants this? People that want a big traditional Cadillac but are ok with giving “Red China” money? Thats a very narrow ven diagram.
Who is going to cross shop this against a Lexus or Mercedes? Even the HyundaiLexus is made in Korea not China.
MrR: Not disagreeing. Just trying to get some thought provoking stuff flowing here.
The problem with what you said is that you are giving money to GM and technically not China. Of course you would be putting money toward parts/ labor within China. But it’s not the same as buying a Chinese brand car from a Chinese company. It’s really no different from those who defend all the Toyota’s and Honda’s (etc) that are assembled here but are paying their money to Japan. I’m not for or against China any more than I’m for or against Japan. Isn’t GM, GM no matter where they are as long as the headquarters is here? I don’t have the answer to this other than I wish every American brand was also assembled here with a full line of cars/trucks/SUV’s being offered. Personally, I’d rather see someone buy a GM product assembled in China rather than a Japanese product assembled in the USA. I purchased my 2021 Malibu because it’s an American brand assembled here, and that’s my first choice of all. But that’s just me.
Chinese Cadillac has the same level of prestige as Ethiopian Rolex…..
Let me know when I can buy a Bentley made in Venezuela…..
Dan,
If gm builds a car in China, they are required by the Chinese Communist Party to build it in conjunction with a native Chinese carmaker. In the case of gm, their partner is SAIC. Further, gm is required to operate this partnership as a 50:50 joint venture with half of all profits generated by the entity staying in China and in the hands of the native Chinese company. Therefore, if an American were to purchase a Chinese Cadillac, one-half of all profits go to SAIC, and the other half come back to gm and presumably some portion of that half would make its way back to the North American parent company in Detroit. That same Cadillac would employ perhaps thousands of Chinese workers who produce it both at the gm/SAIC plant and at the various supplier operations also located in China that produce the parts. In terms of benefits to Americans, there is likely very little. Mary Barra’s bonus might benefit and the US shareholders in gm might see a bit of a windfall but really nothing for the besieged American worker or for America itself.
If that same American were to instead purchase an American-made BMW SAV produced at that carmaker’s sprawling manufacturing plant in Greer, South Carolina, the story would be markedly different. The largest facility that BMW operates anywhere in the world is in America and they produce all of their RWD SAVs (X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7) for worldwide consumption. If a German or Frenchman buys an X5, it was built in America. Due to current vehicle preferences for utility vehicles, BMW is now a net exporter of vehicles from America meaning they ship out more American SAVs than they import-in German-made EVs, coupes, sedans, and convertibles. At the Greer facility, the Bavarian carmaker employs 11,000 Americans and at the contiguous supplier facilities even more of our countrymen are employed. Those wages not only support their families but through the various taxes paid (payroll, SSI, FICA, etc.), they support the local community, the State of South Carolina, and the US government. To be sure, profits do go back to Deutschland but an awful lot of Americans get paid first and an awful lot of money stays in the US economy,
The profits that do go back to Germany are going to a nation that is an ally of the United States and does not have designs on ruling the world and supplanting the US as the world’s preeminent superpower. Money sent to China feeds a communist regime working feverishly to achieve worldwide domination and willing to play dirty to get there. The very requirement that for a US company to access their market that company has to partner with a Chinese firm is rather dirty. The American company, like gm, brought all the know-how and ingenuity and over 100 years of experience building cars to the table and the Chinese entity brought comparatively nothing yet it’s decreed by the Chinese government to be a 50:50 partnership with equally shared profits.
While I understand the thought that it’s better to buy from an American company, I don’t think that’s always true, I think it far better to buy an American BMW than a Chinese Cadillac. With the former, there is much benefit to American workers and to America itself whereas with the latter, there is no benefit to Americans at all outside of gm’s leadership team and a de minimis benefit to shareholders. If you ask me, I’d much prefer to buy the BMW and help 11,000+ South Carolinians. Maybe that’s why BMW is the top-selling luxury car brand in America now.
Let’s not get too misty eyed for Germany. The only reason their an ally is they lost twice trying to take over the world. Let’s settle for nothing less than an American car built in The U.S.. God knows there will be plenty of Chinese parts on it wherever it’s built.
Jofa,
I don’t disagree about being too misty-eyed over Germany. I’m only saying that to reflexively assume buying an American brand product is always best is a mistake. There are plenty of American companies that’ve totally sold out and moved everything to China and there are foreign companies that’ve invested in America and provide employment to our citizens and pay taxes to our governments. Unfortunately, I think one has to assess each case individually and make a determination. In the case of buying a US-made BMW or a Chinese import wearing a Buick or Cadillac badge, I would argue it’s better for America to buy the German brand as they’ve built a large operation here employing many while gm continues to shrink their US presence and sell more imports.
Jofa: I couldn’t agree more with this and it’s the exact same way I personally feel about Japan. I don’t trust them and I choose to do whatever I can to avoid sending my income to them.
Buy American brands that are assembled in the USA and/or Canada (hey, what can I say. I love our brothers to the north).
Ci2Eye: Thank you for that very articulate way of explaining this. It’s quite possibly the best and most understandable that I’ve ever read. Appreciate it. Just goes to show that even at my age, you can still learn something every day.
What did I learn from your explanation? That my decision to purchase my Malibu was a good one and that I will continue to put the American brand assembled in America at the top of my priority list when buying anything. Difficult to do? Yes, but it is my effort and duty. I also feel that Jofa has an extremely good point about the Germans too.
China no longer requires joint venture agreements for foreign car manufacturers.
so the Chevy Trax/TrailBlazer and Buick Encore/Encore GX sold here in the US are made exclusively in South Korea – they sell a hefty number of these. You don’t hear a lot of backlash against these models. Is this a “China” thing or is it truly a “not made in the US thing”? And the discussion above about European manufacturers speaks to this.
I would be interested in knowing what MrR drives a- I’m guessing whatever it is it’s not 100% US made (probably some parts came from China).
Personally, I always make a “buy American” effort first. But I’m a realist and know it’s impossible to live in the modern world without trading internationally. So I, secondarily, evaluate which countries/governments I want to do business with…China ain’t one. The only way I buy Chinese is if a) I can’t live/work without it, and, b) no one else can supply it.
Yes, to answer your question, it is a “China Thing”……you can do your own research and figure out why…..
In your mind are China and South Korea are the same thing?
Because….they’re not.
I drive a Canadian made Camaro FYI, and we also have a US made Malibu and Pontiac.
I guess there were some old Impala roof stamping dies that were laying around……
Spy shots of this car, the $200,000 Celestiq removed from Cadillac website, dealers unhappy with the EV strategy… maybe will the new CT6 reach American shores after all? Did anyone hear something?
Wait a second, you’re right, the Celestiq entry on the website is now gone. and we’re already seeing spy shots of this car when news just came out about it like a week ago, meanwhile the Celestiq that was announced years ago, we still haven’t seen anything. What the hell, is Cadillac cancelling the Celestiq? Wouldn’t put it past them.
Celestiq is not going anywhere. They will produce it. Its already being tested and we will see the spy shots soon.
J,
I’m highly skeptical. Cadillac has a habit of promising grand sedans to serve as their flagship only to cancel them, I would cite the Zeta-based LTS and Omega-based CT8 as examples. A $200,000 electric Cadillac is perhaps a bridge too far and they know it. The beleaguered brand couldn’t even sell the $53,000 CT6 and had to withdraw it from the US market. Cellistiq was a nice vanity project for somebody but its not the kind of thing gm does. The company deals in big volume mass market products that have to meet high volume targets or they are axed, Gm doesn’t do niche’ products or anything hand-built. They don’t care about halos or image.
Several factors point to the Cellistiq being in trouble and perhaps already cancelled. First they promised to reveal it a several points last year only to cancel the reveal ostensibly due to COVID. There is no rescheduled showing that I am aware of and they no longer talk about it. Secondly, it’s been pulled from their website and instead we see the silly InnerSpace as a harbinger of the future. Lastly, instead of seeing Cellistiq concepts, we’re seeing and hearing about another CT6 with an ICE which supposedly is taboo at Cadillac now. I think that suggests the rock solid commitment to making Cadillac all-EV, all-the-time may be waning and the $200,000 dream Caddy is on thin Michigan ice right now.
Ci2Eye, my thoughts exactly, couldn’t have said it better myself. I think the Celestiq is joining the long line of Cien, Sixteen, Ciel, Elmiraj, Escala, LTS and CT8. Think the bean counters won again, and convinced the higher ups that there is no market for a $200,000 plus sedan. Why on earth would it’s entry now be gone from their website after sitting there for over a year. No OFFICIAL talk from GM about it since CES of January 2021 as far as I know, and it sounded like then they would be showing it very soon, but crickets ever since. Consider me very worried, I think this is becoming more and more likely yet another broken promise from Cadillac. This last part will be very controversial I’m sure and I’m going to get downvoted, but if the Celestiq is cancelled, that’s the final straw for me and I hope they completely fail as a brand within the near future.
I get your points Ci2Eye, but thankfully, there is nothing to worry about.
The Celestiq project has been slightly delayed by supply chain issues and prioritizing development of more mainstream, higher-volume vehicles like the Lyriq and Silverado EV.
Just 2 weeks ago, Mary Barra confirmed the Celestiq being built as a 2023 model, as she also did when discussing UltraCruise a month or two ago. The Celestiq will be the first vehicle to utilize it.
Thanks G8Burnout, I get the supply chain issues, but why can’t they at least show a show car or CGI rendered teasers, or a CONCRETE date of when it’s being unveiled. This was also reported from several different news outlets this past week: “During the media briefing, Cadillac execs briefly mentioned the Celestiq electric flagship sedan, confirming that it’s finally going into production next year. That would suggest a reveal date before that, although no one was willing to provide a timeframe.”
Why are they being so shy about it? The fact that they just briefly mention it and then change subjects doesn’t sound good to me. It sounds to me like there is an internal struggle going on behind the scenes on whether to bring it to market or cancel it at the last minute. And given Cadillac’s history, I’m betting on the cancellation last minute. Hope to be proven wrong, but not holding my breath.
Also, why would they remove the Celestiq listing from the future cars tab on their website??
“The beleaguered brand couldn’t even sell the $53,000 CT6 and had to withdraw it from the US market.”
I would disagree with this, the CT6 actually sold pretty well, it outsold the XJ, Lexus LS, A8, and a few others, it didn’t make Mercedes-Benz pack up and go home in 6 months, and probably didn’t make the profit per unit that a Silverado makes, so you know, the shareholder lizard people aren’t going to like that, so GM quit on the car, after investing who knows how much money, and they pretty much abandoned those buyers.
Now is anyone going to trust them again with whenever and with whatever they offer as a high end sedan in the future?
I think you can answer that question.
Mr R,
You hit the nail on the head. As soon as I saw the greenhouse I thought there’s the rear wheel drive Impala I want.
No one can figure out what GM is going to do because they can’t figure out what they are going to do.
I guess we can assume the top of the line will run well north of 100k
Whoa what the heck? Do they usually test Chinese market only cars on US roads???
Yes they do-and in other countries as well.
I don’t want anything made in a communist country. I refuse to spend my earned income to support communism.
Phd PE:
Where was the thing you used to post your comment made?
Megeebee:
Great question! South Korea. I refuse to buy Apple products for that very reason!
Lol I bet you have absolutely tons of things made in China without even realizing it. People like this make me laugh. Are you in your late 60s? Usually only older folks tend to think of “communist” as a super scary word.
Tom:
There’s only one word scarier than “communist.” That fact that you attempt make fun of someone for acknowledging what I have strongly suggests you’ve been indoctrinated to accept communism as just another form of governance.
I strongly encourage you to read a book… specifically, The Naked Communist. It will teach you important, relevant things that your woke professors didn’t.
Communism isn’t totalitarian, nor a dictatorship. You’re just buying into 1980s American/USSR propaganda
Communism is a disaster. I was born in the ussr and have lived lived in that b um a ss country for a long time. Putin’s russia is also a bs.
Thanks.
Then move to China. I guarantee you’ll be begging to come back here within a year!
Only word scarier than communist is satan. Stalin killed more people than hitler, mao more than stallin. Those 2 combined have killed more people in the last decade than heart disease worldwide. Anyone who talks nicely over communism is an agent of the devil himself.
Our constitution guarantees your freedom and would limit the powers of even hitler himself if he was in America to prevent what happened in 1930’s Germany. A communist constitution denies you you liberty and free will and even if your leader was benevolent wise and gracious, would require your naked servitude. Thus the Russians and Ukrainians right now both are fighting against putins war. Neither people want to loose their freedom
You nailed it, Jake. On every front.
Its only killed people and lead to death, starvation, oppression, misery, stagnation and abject failure wherever its been in the last 120 years…..so you can see why it might be “scary” to some people.
What are you in your 20’s? Usually only younger folks are this naïve
Literally killed hundreds of millions of people. And continues to enslave tens of millions of people still today. In fact, their are more slaves in communist countries today than there were in the US pre-Emancipation Proclamation.
Communism has killed hundreds of millions? Let’s not exaggerate here. You’re also implying that capitalism is a perfect system. Which it is not. We don’t have starving people? Homeless? People living in squalor? You’re high and mighty about a system of governance, there is no such thing as a perfect one. Do I agree capitalism is better? Obviously I do I live in North America and I’m fortunate enough to be successful. But to pretend there are millions who aren’t fortune enough to live the same way, is the naive position here.
Uuuuhhhmmm, so where were these photos taken? Is this in the US? If so, it begs the question of whether it will be offered here. Why would it be testing stateside?
Bring it back to the North American market GM!
Not holding my breath on this one for NA. They would also need something better than the 237 HP LSY as that engine gave only average performance in the previous CT6. The 3.0 twin turbo would be a good place to start.
lmao people think this look like Impala? So then I guess the Escala concept looks like Impala then??
Does the C pillar on the new CT6 look suspiciously like the new Lincoln Zepher?
The CT6 had a swept back roof just like the photos. Cars are not built here anymore, they are assembled here and a lot more than half are not. I was always a buy union, USA guy, but I’m not Joe Louis, I can’t fight the world. My XTS Plat is 9 y/o. If this new CT6 has fold down rear seats or a bigger trunk, and I like it, who knows?
Build it in the U. S.