China is the exception.
The Cadillac CT6 has been discontinued in North America. Cadillac ended the luxury full-size sedan and the Blackwing V8 motor that powered the high-performance model. This was after just four years. It seems quite clear that Cadillac has made a sudden shift to an electric future with the benefit of hindsight. Why is a next-generation CT6 prototype camouflaged and equipped with exhaust tips being tested in Michigan?
Although this is our first encounter with the Caddy, we are familiar enough with GM’s Milford Proving Grounds and the streets it is driving on to be able to identify the street. It’s located northwest of Detroit and is a great place to capture prototypes in public. Our spy team was there at the right moment. Although the overall shape and size look very similar to the CT6, we suspect that there are key design changes to both the front and back fascias. We can clearly see a modified C-pillar with an upward-kink to glass. We also see placeholder lights when we zoom in on the rear fascia. This sedan is definitely not ready for prime-time yet.
Is this a sign that the CT6 will get another chance at prime-time billing in America, or? This is almost certain to be false. The Cadillac Celestiq will be the brand’s flagship sedan and feature an all-electric powertrain. It doesn’t make sense to revive a gas-powered CT6 when so many other brands don’t have one sedans. The CT6 is still available in China.
This theory is not perfect. Rumours suggest that the new CT6 will use a platform that may offer hybrid powertrain options. Cadillac isn’t shy about moving quickly into an all-electric future. However, should things not go according the plan (which has pretty much been the case for the past two years), a CT6 hybrid might offer a combination of both.
We are still in the early stages of this process, regardless of what happens. Cadillac will not announce anything on the CT6 until at least one year.