Earlier this week, Carscoops reader Brett Borgard captured a development tester for Cadillac’s new CT6, a high-tech flagship sedan to take on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-series, and Audi A8.
The newly announced CT6 is part of new Cadillac boss and former Infiniti and Audi executive Johan de Nysschen’s grand plan of expanding the brand’s current six-model (not counting different body styles) range to 10 offerings over the next five years.
Due for a world premiere at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show before launching early 2016, the CT6 won’t sit at the top of Cadillac’s lineup for very long, though, as de Nysschen recently told Reuters that they’ve signed off a range-topper, likely to be named CT8 or CT9, to go up against the long-wheelbase versions of the S-Class and 7-Series. This last statement leads us to believe that the CT8/CT9 could be a longer version of the CT6 pictured here.
Among the few official details Cadillac has shared on the CT6 is that it will be built on an entirely new vehicle architecture using “advanced, lightweight materials and new body construction techniques” to make it the “lightest and most agile car in the class of top-level large luxury sedans”.
Among other technologies, it will be the first model in Cadillac’s range to feature GM’s new automated driving system called Super Cruise that includes hands-off lane following, braking and speed control in certain highway driving conditions.
Under the hood, the CT6 will debut a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that will join the 3.0-liter and 3.6-liter turbocharged V6 units, together with one or more V8 options, possibly based on GM’s upcoming 4.5-liter Twin Turbo V8 previewed in the Elmiraj Concept.
Kudos to Brett for the scoop!