Cadillac has revealed full details of its all-new CT6 flagship limousine ahead of its New York motor show world debut tomorrow, promising better chassis dynamics than rivals like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series.
Although it's around the same size as both German limousine stalwarts -- as well as the Audi A8, Jaguar XJ and Lexus LS -- Cadillac says the new CT6 luxury sedan weighs roughly 200 pounds (about 90kg) less than the smaller BMW 5 Series.
Riding on a 3106mm wheelbase, it measures 5184mm long, 1879mm wide and 1472mm high, and Cadillac says the CT6's kerb weight will be less than 1700kg.
Due on sale in North America in early 2016 Cadillac's new top-shelf sedan could be a chance for Australia if General Motors' luxury brand comes good on its promise to go global with a range of right-hand drive models by the end of this decade.
Pitched as a "diver's car", the CT6 is based on a new GM platform dubbed Omega and features aluminium body panels and aluminum die castings in its lower body, which Cadillac says gives the large rear-drive four-door agile handling and a comfortable ride.
It incorporates 13 “high-pressure aluminum castings” that Cadillac says create a lighter, stiffer structure and a “bank-vault” quiet cabin, plus a five-link independent rear suspension system employing multiple outer ball-joints and cross braces.
Significantly, the CT6 also comes with an on-demand all-wheel-drive system – standard on V6 models – that employs a continuously variable clutch to distribute power to the front wheels.
It also features GM’s magnetic damping and active rear-steer systems to deliver what Cadillac claims will be “segment-best ride, handling and [cabin] isolation”. Wheel sizes range between 18- and 20-inch.
Powertrain choices include turbocharged 198kW 2.0-litre, four-cylinder and naturally aspirated 250kW 3.6-litre V6 petrol engines.
Also matched with a new GM eight-speed automatic transmission is a new, unique-to-Cadillac twin-turbo 298kW/543Nm 3.0-litre V6 featuring the first V6 application of displacement-on-demand technology, which shuts down two cylinders under light loads.
The CT6's tech-packed cabin includes a claimed industry-first surround-view video recording system that records front and rear views while driving, as well as night-vision, 10.2-inch colour touch-screen with Cadillac CUE infotainment system, a 34-speaker Bose sound system, wi-fi hotspot, quad-zone climate-control and lashings of leather, wood and carbon-fibre trim.
“The CT6 is nothing less than an entirely new approach to premium luxury – and an approach only Cadillac can offer,” said Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen.
“It is a bold endeavour with unmatched dynamism that reignites a passion for driving in large luxury vehicles. In short, it is prestige luxury reimagined.”
GM says the CT6 marks Cadillac’s long-awaited return to the global prestige luxury segment, and is one of eight all-new vehicles the brand will launch by the end of the decade as part of a $US12 billion investment.
However, according to Automotive news, North America's luxury limousine sales segment has halved since the GFC of six years ago, to 108,627 last year.
So far, GM has confirmed the CT6, which will be built in Detroit from late this year, will be sold in the US, China, Europe, Korea, Japan and the Middle East.