GM was recently caught benchmarking the Mercedes-Benz S580 sedan around the GM Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan.
The Mercedes-Benz S580 is the German automaker’s large premium four-door model, slotting in below the even-more-high-end Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. As one would expect, the S-Class is rather large in terms of exterior dimensions, with an overall length of 208.2 inches, a wheelbase of 126.6 inches, an overall width of 83 inches, and an overall height of 59.2 inches. Passenger capacity is capped at five.
Providing the motivation is Mercedes-Benz’s twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8, which is supplemented by a 48-volt “mild hybrid” system. Peak output is rated at 496 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 516 pound-feet of torque, all of which is routed to the full-time all-wheel drive system via a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite weighing a healthy 4,775 pounds, the Mercedes-Benz S580 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz S580 starts at $117,700. Alternatively, Merc also offers the six-cylinder S500 model, which starts at $111,100.
Critically, GM currently has no direct rival for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with the Cadillac CT6 being the closest match with regard to size. That said, the CT6 does not match up to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in terms of positioning, as although the CT6 was roughly equivalent in terms of sizing, it more closely rivaled the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in terms of pricing.
The Cadillac CT6 was offered in the North American market between the 2016 and 2020 model years. The CT6 is still currently sold in the Chinese market.
Looking ahead, it’s likely the next-generation Cadillac CT6 will continue the formula established with the first-gen model, including S-Class sizing and E-Class pricing. In fact, GM Authority recently provided early spy photos of the next-gen CT6 testing in prototype form. However, we should reiterate that the next-gen CT6 will continue to be sold exclusively in the Chinese market.
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Comments
I’ll get excited about benchmarking the S580 when the CT6 is sold in the U.S.
Probably bench marking how not to make the trunk so small like the current S-series. Even the EQS has a bigger trunk cargo space.
I’ll be awaiting the Celestiq EV.
When will GMC return to America with a CT6 model again. One with a worthy transmission. I have a 2019 CT6 and as the warranty comes to an end, time for a new vehicle. Foreign?
The CT6 transmission fluid is hydroscopic and needs to be change regularly.
We love our 2020 CT6 and probably will buy it when the lease comes to an end, at the end of this year. I feel I have no choice because the CT6 is no longer available and the CT5 is simply not a suitable replacement. Plus my local Cadillac Dealer is adding a $7,000 premium to the MSRPs of all new CT5s. I refuse to pay a premium on any car and I think its bad business for dealers to charge it.
We love our 2018 CT6 2.0E plug-in too! The +2,000 miles on a tank of gas and almost 200 mpg is icing on the cake. The handling is not matched in this segment!
Since ours is a PHEV with almost 45-55 miles on battery is nice but could be longer for some daily drives. So we will be watching for the Celestiq concept coming to life in the states.
I think the CT6 can be made here again in LGR. IMO a 2.7t plug-in would satisfy many buyers with regular ICE options available..
Shame shame Cadillac for not selling the ct6 in the US. Shame shame shame I am a long time GM owner and I am very disappointed. You’re developing the car why not produce it here or even import it from China? You already do that with a Buick envision. Sometimes you got to think not just about the bottom line..
Cadillac does not recognize a huge potential advantage they could have over Mercedes-Benz and the other high end German cars. The maintenance costs of these cars are astronomical, particularly when equipped with the active suspension. Even the wealthy clients begin to wonder why so many components are regarded as wear parts.
In Europe GM used to offer a lifetime warranty and Cadillac is now introducing this in China. This strategy shows confidence in the quality and durability of your product. Because so much needs replacing in a Mercedes-Benz, they dare not adopt a lifetime warranty.
How about it Cadillac, your chance to the the Standard of the World again?
GM, build the CT6 here in the US again. Not everybody is an NFL lineman who needs an Escalade.
GM is bench marking everything because they know so little
Sounds to me, GM is benchmarking the S Class for a future flagship below the CELESTIQ in EV form that we don’t know anything about. The CT6 for the next generation model is not coming here in North America.
But like it or not, there is a reason to benchmark against this car.
Cadillac gets rid of the only car that can beat every big bodied car on the market (no matter the price tag) with a first round knock out, the ESCALA. Then they chop it to put it into the Celestiq. Huh?? The Interior of the ESCALA is better than most by far & on par with the rest (which is a first for Cadillac). The exterior has an aggressive but sleek look that pulsates class. Mercedes Benz or any other luxury brand doesn’t have anything that can out shine its appearance yet they dont put it in the line up. If it’s going to cost $80 to $160 grand for it be feasibly smart, then SO BE IT. Why is this “no brainer” even an issue. They’ve snatched a bunch of Range Rovers money with the ESCALADE. Why not snatch everyone else’s with the ESCALA. Cadillac whatever you have to put in the ESCALA for performance to equate or enhance its presence then DO IT. The money will be double what you could hope it to be.
For as long as I can remember, GM has been a staple in my family. My Great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and I have owned many GM cars of many different vintages. Those Benz guys saying that Cadillac shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence are insane …or is it proof that money can’t buy good sense? You could tell a Cadillac years ago from other cars. You were someone….the cars were truly the standard of the world in innovation, style, and performance. I can’t tell a new Benz from a Kia to be honest. And general motors has absolutely ruined every car other than the Corvette they have tried to market in the last 25 years or more. So what’s their answer? Let’s push to EV everything….even with a power grid to support it. Let’s make everything cost a minimum of 80k. And oh yes it’s more hip to end most names in a q. Even though the spelling is incorrect. Mistiq, ioniq, etc. Y’all can keep all of that.
I’m pleased because competitor analysis is very important and places orders for new Cadillac sedans for marketing and sales. Finally, like its competitors Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and BMW, Cadillac must offer similar products. As you have to see, limousines are also important again.
About the Cadillac CT6 and the hot Blackwing V8:
It is illogical why the Cadillac CT6 is not built and sold in the USA and why the Blackwing 4.2L V8 Biturbo was discontinued after a few months. The costs of the development must have been extreme and the complete production facilities were then no longer usable.
One should always look around before deciding to do or not to do something.
I like the Sedan and Wagon ever!
That Mercedes doesn’t look like a new car, it looks like a design from the late 1990’s/early 2000’s.
Bench mark against the Escalade, the only big vehicle Cadillac has left?
My ’22 S500 AC broke with 1700 on the odo. Not a great sign of things to come. Meanwhile, I’ve had 4 new Escalades delivered(I own a car Service), and I haven’t had one issue that needed a dealer visit.
Usually American cars are cheaper than European cars because they typically are built in UAW plants. Only Mercedes-Benz and Volvo build cars in UAW plants, and to a certain extent Volkswagen, but that’s mostly for SUVs and entry-level “luxury” cars.
If the Cadillac CT6 was built in Europe, it would cost about $80k+. Also, MOST American and US-made cars sold (imported/exported) there cost TWICEEEEE as much as their base MSRPs in America.
The Lexus RX450h is close to US$100k in Germany and France, but only $55k in the US.