Cadillac is undergoing a renaissance of late, with a
slew of new products and a restructuring of its naming system. One of the new
products it’s planning is the CT5, a luxury mid-size offering that will
effectively replace both ATS and CTS sedans.
However, what will Cadillac’s 5 Series-fighter look
like and what should we expect? That’s what we’re here for. Ok, so it’s not a dead-ringer of
Cadillac’s beautiful Escala concept, though it does carry over some similar
styling themes. These include slim LED headlights, trapezoidal ‘shield’ grille
and vertical daylight running lamps. The long hood and fastback profile also
makes the cut, albeit with a higher roofline and more conventional window
frames.
Sheetmetal surfacing is an evolution of Cadillac’s
Art & Science ethos, with elegant lines and subtle creases. Rear styling is
highlighted by boomerang-finned LED taillights, short trunk lid and sizeable
exhaust tips.
Whilst we’ve yet to set eyes on the interior, expect
a good dose of Escala concept to flow into the interior too. Cue large,
sweeping digital displays within the dash, highly tailored fabrics, brushed
metal trim and ample room for passengers.
On the tech front, the CT5 will be loaded; expect
Cadillac’s ‘Super Cruise’ semi-autonomous driving assistant, OLED instrument
and CUE infotainment displays, retracting infotainment screens for backseat
occupants and remote start/locking/unlocking via smartphone app.
Power will come from a range of potent powertrains;
these include an base turbocharged, 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a
normally-aspirated 3.6-litre V6 and an twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, pumping out
over 404 hp and 400 pound-feet of torque. Power will be feed to the pavement
through GM’s 10-speed automatic and rear wheels as standard, with all-wheel
drive being optional.
Fuel economy and eco-conscious buyers will also be
catered for with a plug-in electric powertrain that combines a 2.0-litre,
four-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor. In the larger Cadillac CT6,
this is good for 335 hp and 432 pound-feet of torque.
If none of the above tickles your fancy, then
4.2-litres of twin-turbocharged V8 thunder will. Tipped to appear in CT5
V-Sport format, this all-wheel drive, range-topping powertrain will offer 500+
hp combined with a mechanical limited-slip rear differential, specially tuned
Magnetic Ride Control suspension and aggressive styling.
A potential rival to BMW’s M5, Audi RS6 and
Mercedes-AMG E63 perhaps? Watch this space.
