GM has just confirmed the name of its upcoming Mercedes-Benz S-Class challenger from Cadillac as the new CT6.
According to GM, the model name originates from “Cadillac’s “use of CTS for its centerpiece carline” and it signals the shift to a new nomenclature under which all future cars will use familiar lettering like “CT” followed by a number indicating the size and position in the range.
In other words, the ATS could be renamed to CT4 and the CTS to CT5, for example, but Cadillac says the change won’t happen overnight.
“As we expand the portfolio, we can assist consumers in placing the cars within a structure, as they compare cars both within our showroom and across the market generally,” explained Cadillac chief marketing officer, Uwe Ellinghaus. “However, this will be an evolutionary process – we will only change a product’s name when the product itself is redesigned or an all-new model is created, as in this instance.”
The new CT6, which Cadillac says will “join the elite group of top-class large luxury cars”, will be officially presented next year, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show in January or the New York Auto Show in April, with production to start towards the end of 2015 and sales in early 2016.
“The Cadillac CT6 continues our brand’s elevation and global growth,” said Ellinghaus. “CT6 will constitute an entirely new approach to the prestige sedan, emphasizing a dynamic driving experience and advanced technology.”
Cadillac also confirmed that the new RWD-oriented sedan will use a mix of materials and new body construction techniques to reduce weight.
“This Cadillac will be the lightest and most agile car in the class of top-level large luxury sedans,” said Travis Hester, executive chief engineer, Cadillac CT6. “Using the lessons learned from our dynamic ATS and CTS product lines, we have developed an entirely new vehicle architecture for the CT6. It will employ a mixed material philosophy that combines the best and most efficient components optimized for each area of this new top-of-the-range car.”
It is expected that the CT6 will borrow heavily on the styling of last year’s Elmiraj coupe study. Speaking of the Elmiraj, doesn’t that name sound so much better than the Germanic CT6?
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