Cadillac Has Transformed

Cadillac has launched the CT6, a prestige sedan packed with advanced safety technology. It will soon be hitting Japanese roads, but we had a preview drive in the US. Comfortable, luxurious, and fun to drive – Cadillac has truly transformed.

The Cadillac CT6 is a four-door sedan with a generous body length of 5.2 meters. The "CT6 Premium" sold in Japan combines a 3.6-liter V6 engine with an AWD full-time four-wheel-drive system. In the North American market, it occupies a position between the Mercedes-BenzE ClassandS Class, and indeed, it holds its own in terms of driving performance, comfort, and advanced safety features.

Rear-wheel steering is standard

Wheelbase 3110mm

The Cadillac CT6 is positioned above the " CTS" which is already sold in Japan. While the CTS offers the ultra-powerful 477kW (649ps) "CTS-V" with a Corvette V8 engine, the CT6 is positioned with a greater emphasis on prestige. Its wheelbase is a long 3.3 meters, providing ample rear-seat space. The interior entertainment is also well-equipped, making it perfect for those seeking a spacious sedan.

The styling also sets it apart. Cadillac's current signature is its vertical LED position lamps, but the CT6's design wraps around to the air dam, making it instantly recognizable from afar. It not only differentiates itself from others but also conveys a youthful energy, adding a dynamic accent to its refined profile. Cadillac appears to be carrying this design language forward to future models.

Cadillac stands at a new starting point. Driving it, you feel its newness even more strongly.

Agile Handling on Winding Roads

The test drive of the Cadillac CT6 followed a route heading south from San Francisco towards Los Angeles. It's about a 120-mile drive, with some sections experiencing rush-hour traffic jams, but the route also features winding roads and ocean views, making it a drive that can be enjoyed for its scenery.

While minivans and large SUVs are common in the US, the CT6 stands out amongst them. It certainly garnered significant attention on the freeways. Americans tend to express admiration for cars they like with exaggerated gestures, and while driving the CT6, we frequently saw occupants of other cars smiling and acknowledging us.

Wheelbase is 3,110mm

In San Francisco

The CT6's V6 engine leans towards high revs. It produces a maximum output of 250kW (340ps) at 6,900rpm and a peak torque of 386Nm at 5,300rpm. Accelerating from low RPMs, the surge of acceleration is exhilarating. The 8-speed automatic shifts up quickly without noticeable shock, but manually holding each gear and revving higher, the 3.6-liter V6 engine powerfully accelerates the nearly 2-ton car. This sharp responsiveness rivals that of European and Japanese sporty sedans.

Equipped with an active rear steering system, its agility on winding roads is surprisingly lively for a car of its size and prestige. While the car's weight was noticeable on tight downhill corners, drivers who enjoy driving are unlikely to be disappointed. The Magnetic Ride Control, a damping system using magnetorheological fluid, is likely also effective. It's enjoyable to drive spiritedly, yet incredibly comfortable at high speeds, almost to the point of being 'fluffy'.

It's not scary, even on the darkest nights. That's the CT6.

Comprehensive Advanced Safety Features

Cadillac is renowned for its adoption of cutting-edge technology, and the CT6 is no exception, boasting a wealth of advanced safety features. It comes standard with an emergency braking system for forward and reverse, lane keep assist, lane change alert, side blind zone alert, adaptive cruise control, surround vision, and a rearview camera.

What's new with the CT6 is the thorough use of camera functions for safety. One is the rear camera mirror, effective at night, which displays the camera feed on the rearview mirror. While it tends to make following cars appear closer than a traditional mirror, it felt far more natural than those in domestic cars and was quick to get used to. Another welcome feature for nighttime driving is the Enhanced Night Vision, which uses infrared to detect heat sources ahead. Cadillac has had similar systems in practical use before, but this is an invaluable feature for the US, where one might drive through pitch-black darkness without streetlights. All these are standard equipment.

Touchscreen infotainment system monitor

Very spacious rear seats

The Cadillac User Experience infotainment system, compatible with Apple CarPlay, allows for music, hands-free calling, and email when a smartphone is connected. A wireless charging system for smartphones is also available. It truly offers a comfortable environment, befitting its American origins.

Among the exclusive features, the "Panaray" system newly developed by BOSE specifically for the CT6 is noteworthy. Comprising 32 speakers, it offers a further refined impression of BOSE's signature sound. At Pebble Beach, a BOSE engineer played high-resolution audio from a USB drive, suggesting that in-car audio may also move towards high-resolution formats soon. If that happens, the audio experience might become even clearer, like a fog lifting. Even now, it's certainly not bad.

Cadillac, a brand with a long and rich history, is among the most experienced in the world when it comes to building large sedans. The CT6 appears to have been developed with the ambition of shedding its image as a car for older gentlemen, and its resulting execution is impressive. A rich worldview has culminated in a high-quality product.