2016 CADILLAC CT6
Recapturing Old Glories
A little over a decade ago, Cadillac's tail-finned glory days were long past, and the once-great luxury carmaker was left peddling bloated land yachts primarily geared toward Florida retirees. Since then, Cadillac has managed to turn itself around, adding models like the CTS and ATS that are challenging the top German brands.
But the focus on sportiness has left some of the old Cadillac glitz out. The 2016 Cadillac CT6, however, hopes to bring some of it back. It’s a new range-topping sedan that combines the space and ambience of classic Cadillacs with the nimbleness, performance, and technology of more recent models. The CT6 is Cadillac’s most aggressive attempt yet to recapture its old “Standard of the World” title.
Performance
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 gives buyers plenty of choices and is offered with no less than four powertrain options. None of them are quite what you might expect in a big Cadillac, showing just how much the brand has evolved.
The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. That may seem kind of small, but this energetic engine produces a stout 265 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Like all CT6 engines, it’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard rear-wheel drive. The 2016 CT6 has a 31 highway mpg and has a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.2 seconds.*
The mid-range engine for the CT6 is a naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 like the one already used in some other Cadillac models. It produces 335 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque. Finally, an all-new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 404 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque sits at the top of the range at launch. Both V6 engines come standard with all-wheel drive and are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Features
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 is a four-door, five-seat sedan. It is offered in base, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum trim levels. Prices start at $53,495.**
As Cadillac’s range-topping sedan, even the base CT6 is well equipped. Standard features include LED headlights, Bluetooth®, a Bose® eight-speaker audio system, Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control, 8.0-inch gauge-cluster display screen, OnStar® 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and more.
In addition to those standard features, the CT6 Luxury adds a 10-speaker Bose® audio system, navigation, heated steering wheel, 16-way heated front bucket seats, rear sunshades, and other features. The CT6 Premium Luxury builds further on that, with features like a head-up display, rear camera mirror, and UltraView panoramic power sunroof.
The CT6 Platinum sits at the top of the model range, incorporating all of the applicable standard features from the other models, and adding more of its own. That includes an Active Chassis Package with Magnetic Ride Control active suspension and rear-wheel steering, Bose® Panaray 34-speaker sound system, quad-zone climate control, night vision, ionizing air cleaner, rear-seat infotainment setup, and more.
Design
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 takes full advantage of its rear-wheel drive platform as well as Cadillac’s heritage of bold design. It has a dramatic cab-rearward profile, sleek coupe-like roofline, and Cadillac-signature styling elements like a large grille, and LED daytime running light streaks.
But the way all of these pleasing aesthetic touches are shaped is equally important. The CT6 uses a new lightweight mixed-material architecture that includes aluminum exterior panels. Cadillac says the platform is lighter and stiffer than comparable vehicles like the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. The aluminum-intensive CT6 chassis is also 218 pounds lighter than a comparable chassis made from high-strength steel. It required some advanced manufacturing techniques, including proprietary aluminum spot welding technology.
The interior features an equally bold design and some impressive technology. The traditional Cadillac wood and leather is integrated with features like a standard digital gauge cluster display and the latest CUE (Cadillac User Experience) infotainment system. The CT6 is also offered with a rear-camera display integrated into the rearview mirror, a 34-speaker Bose® Panaray sound system, and 360-degree camera system.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, rearview camera, and front, front-seat thorax and pelvic, side-curtain, and knee airbags. Optional features include a first aid kit, forward collision warning, front and rear automatic braking, park assist, front pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, side blind zone alert, and a Surround Vision camera system.
Verdict
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 is a proper range topper for the Cadillac brand, and should give the Germans something to fear.
Be sure to contact us online or visit us at MotorWorld | MileOne Autogroup at 150 MotorWorld Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 to experience the all-new Cadillac CT6.
*EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary depending on driving habits and conditions.
**Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination ($995), tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
Image Credit: Cadillac