Our eagle-eyed spies just captured what appears to be a prototype of an upcoming Cadillac XT5 limo or hearse undergoing testing in metro Detroit. Since the final purpose of the vehicle is unclear, we’ll refer to this model as a limo, for the sake of clarity.
The Cadillac XT5 limo prototype looks somewhat cobbled together, with an additional door placed between the front and rear doors, giving the vehicle a six-door configuration. That new middle door also gets a unique window that looks totally in place on a limousine, while the door’s sheetmetal is modified so as not to have the rear wheel well cutout. Suffice it to say, the final production-intent version will look a lot more refined, as this particular mule’s purpose appears to be dynamics testing.
Also worth noting is that this mule appears to be based on the Luxury or Premium Luxury trim levels, as indicated by the front grille and bright window surrounds (otherwise known as the DLO treatment). The 350T badge out back suggests that Cadillac’s ubiquitous 2.0L I-4 turbo engine (production code LSY) resides under the hood, though we fully expect this longer and heavier model to be powered by the naturally-aspirated 3.6L V-6 engine (production code LGX).
As we await an official announcement, we can say with full certainty that Cadillac is planning to return to the professional livery segment with the XT5, which could also derive several other variants. The luxury marque withdrew from the livery space when it discontinued the CT6, which was offered with a Livery Package. Prior to that, Cadillac offered the XTS Professional Vehicles line, which consisted of five models:
- W20 Livery Sedan
- W30 Coachbuilder Stretch Livery (XTS-L)
- V4U V4U Coachbuilder Limousine
- BQ9 Coachbuilder Funeral Coach (Hearse)
- B05 Armored Model
It’s also worth noting that Cadillac has offered a Livery Package on the “regular” XT5 starting with the 2020 model year. The package includes a 36-month / 150,000-mile Professional Vehicle Warranty in place of the 6 year / 70,000 mile Powertrain Limited Warranty typically included with XT5 models sold at retail. Additionally, the package includes the naturally-aspirated 3.6L V6 engine (production code LGX), Stellar Black Metallic exterior paint and a Jet Black interior. An 18-inch compact spare tire replaces the tire inflator kit, which is included as standard with the retail-market XT5.
We’ll have more on this and all other Cadillac models – past, present or future – soon, so be sure to subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac XT5 news as well as around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
Christopher Cummings
Reminiscent of the old airport limousines – stretched and multi-doored Pontiacs, Mercurys and such that used to be seen in the last century. Everything old is new.
Greg
I’m sure this is for the Livery market. And I wonder if 6 doors is necessary.
One thing that puzzles me is the fact that this is based on Cadillacs second-oldest product. It’s odd to see this kind of broad development so VERY late in a vehicles life cycle. It will be at least a year before the production version of this goes on sale. Then, the XT5 would be ready for replacement about a year after that assuming the standard 6 year run.
UNLESS…… The plan is to keep this Livery model in production after the replacement is on the market. Perhaps the Lyriq is intended as the XT5’s replacement?
Alex Luft
This particular one with six doors is likely for hearse applications, where such a configuration is somewhat common. But there could also be versions where the “middle” doors are fixed (part of the body).
The timing is spot-on with the XT5 being phased out/replaced with the next-gen model: a very small portion of production will be allocated to XT5 livery variant(s), while the all-new model is unaffected.
Greg
Thank you.
bob howard
They need to do something to the center door. It doesn’t follow the lines of the other two doors. That does nothing for the overall look!!
bob howard
They need to do something to the center door. It doesn’t follow the liners of the other doors. It does nothing for the overall look of the vehicle!!
Paul
Oh good Lord, a Baby hearse maybe?
John Engelman
Completely awful. They cancelled the CT6, and we get this mess. When is a limousine not a limousine? When it’s a truck? Cadillac has totally lost it’s way. It is no longer a competitor in the luxury segment.