While the Cadillac CT4-V made its big debut in Detroit last month, we have yet to see the standard Cadillac CT4 au naturel – until now. As luck would have it, our spy photographers snapped not one, but two undisguised CT4 models running around Metro Detroit, giving us our very first sneak peek at the new compact four-door sedan in the buff.
What we have here are both branches of Cadillac’s new Y Trim Level strategy, starting with the Premium Luxury model draped in red. This particular Cadillac CT4 is the Premium Luxury trim thanks to the grille, door handles and window trim, all of which come with a bright, polished finish. We also spy red tail lamp lenses and bright-silver multi-spoke wheels, further evidence that this is the more luxury-oriented trim level of the two.
By contrast, the blue Cadillac CT4 is the Sport model as it offers more visual aggression thanks to a sharper, more pronounced lower bumper, as well as a blacked-out finish on the grille and window trim. We also notice that the door handles are matched to the body color, while the wheels offer a more open spoke design and a darker finish as well. At the rear, the Cadillac CT4 Sport also comes equipped with clear tail lamp lenses.
Unfortunately, the base-model Luxury trim didn’t show its face during this particular outing.
We believe each of the three CT4 trims – CT4 Luxury, CT4 Luxury Premium, CT4 Sport – will be equipped with the same turbocharged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine. The LSY debuted in the 2019 Cadillac XT4, after which it was installed in the 2019 Cadillac CT6 to replace the last-generation 2.0L Turbo LTG. The LSY was subsequently phased out of the CT6 for the 2020 model year, but was then introduced in the all-new 2020 Cadillac CT5 and XT5 refresh. The LSY is rated at 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and in the CT4, will mate to new Cadillac 10-speed automatic transmission.
Under the skin, the CT4 utilizes the well-received Alpha architecture, the same bones used to underpin the Cadillac ATS and third-generation Cadillac CTS. Indeed, the new Cadillac CT4 is very closely related to the ATS, and boasts the same roofline, wheelbase and general proportions/dimensions. Inside, however, the CT4 takes more from the new CT5.
Slotting in above the standard CT4 will be the high-performance CT4-V model, which will swap the turbo-charged 2.0L I-4 LSY engine for the turbocharged 2.7L I-4 L3B engine, elevating output to a more speedy 320 horsepower. What’s more, a second go-faster variant of the CT4-V (often referred to as the “next level” CT4-V) is expected to become available later in the CT4’s lifecycle, as evidenced by a prototype model that Cadillac recently showed off at the Detroit Grand Prix.
The 2020 Cadillac CT4 will be built at the Lansing Grand River plant to satisfy North America (where the ATS and CTS were built), as well as the Jinqiao Cadillac plant to satisfy China. Sales are expected to kick off early next year. When it arrives, the Cadillac CT4 will compete in the premium C-Segment against rivals such as the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan and CLA-Class “four-door coupe”, and forthcoming BMW 2 Series Grand Sport lines.
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Raymond Ramirez
If this new CT4 is priced correctly below the import compact luxury models, it can easily take away most of those sales. If the POTUS applies new tariffs for all those luxury imports, the Cadillac will be the new leader.