A few months back, Cadillac Society reported exclusive details regarding the next-gen Cadillac CT6. We then spotted a few prototypes undergoing testing, and later, some photos were leaked from within the Jinquiao Cadillac China plant where the luxury sedan will be built. Now, we’ve spotted the second-gen CT6 completely uncovered, undergoing testing on U.S. roads.
Without camouflage, we can see that this Cadillac CT6 prototype closely resembles the leaked photos from China – although this one sports a cutout and necessary attachment for a license plate cutout on the front fascia.
The new fascia shows off the thin horizontal lighting elements that lead the eye into the chevron-shaped grille that matches the shape of the Cadillac crest, accented by the luxury marque’s signature vertical lights on either side of the front fascia. The lamps on the outer edges of the front end will serve as the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), while the primary forward lighting units (the headlights) seem to be positioned inside of the vertical DRLs. The thin horizontal lights will do turn signal and hazard light duty. It’s worth noting that the entire lighting setup borrows from that of the new Cadillac Lyriq.
As for the vehicle’s rear end, this Cadillac CT6 clearly sports a set of Chinese badging – appropriate, considering that the luxury sedan will be sold primarily in China, and is not likely to make its way to North America, at least as far as we know at this point in time. Also of note from this angle is the center high mount stop light (CHMSL), which is affixed just above the rear window, and spans a good width of the same.
Under the hood, the current-generation Cadillac CT6 harnesses the turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine (production code LSY), which produces 233 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated exclusively to the luxury marque’s 10-speed automatic transmission. While not yet confirmed, it’s likely that the next-gen CT6 will retain this powertrain, while potentially adding a mild hybrid setup.
The second-gen CT6 will utilize Cadillac’s Global B electrical architecture, which will allow the luxury sedan to harness the latest versions of Super Cruise and its eventual successor, Ultra Cruise. The Global B platform will also allow for over-the-air software updates. Under the skin is a second iteration of the Omega platform, not the VSS-R platform set that we initially expected would underpin this model.
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Jess
Nice evolution. The Chinese only CT6 continues to be a striking design … and I continue to be disgusted that it’s not also for the North American market.
JE
And for the rest of the World, when? Only for China and nothing, is exactly the same.
W.S.
Old Communists are the New Capitalists. The Chinese are enamoured with Cadillac now, the same way Americans were in the 1950s – 1980s (before the abhorrent Cimarron). Then America gave upon American luxury car brands: Cadillac, Lincoln, Chrysler. In an effort to appease shareholders, GM sought out new markets; Hence, China. Definitely too bad, just like Volvo being owned by the Chinese.
Mitch Kapanicas
I agree with Jess.
Frank A Ricciardi
The new CT6 is a beautiful car and I would buy one in heart beat. Too bad its a China only product. Also too bad that Cadillac is walking away from the loyal customers that helped build the brand. It may just bite them on the ass. I’ve bought or leased 19 new Cadillacs, but it appears Cadillac is no longer interested in my business…how do you say “Good Bye” in Chinese????
Quick Silver 1
Totally agree, Frank! I have a 2017 CT6 Premium and a 2020 Premium Luxury. Cadillac quickly forgot who made them the leader in the world. Wait until the Chinese leadership says that they have gotten everything they need from GM, takes over and boots them out of the “partnership”. What will Mary do then?
GM thinks all the drivers in the US want those compact sedans (CT4/CT5) or a box-on-box CUV/SUV or a mall-crawler pickup. Many of us still want a full-sized luxury sedan.