Cadillac launches the new fastback-style luxury sedan, the CT5

CADILLAC CT5 | Cadillac CT5

Cadillac Launches New Fastback-Style Luxury Sedan, the CT5

On January 15, General Motors Japan announced that the latest luxury sedan, the "Cadillac CT5," would go on sale starting January 16. This model, which premiered at the New York Auto Show in April 2019 as the successor to the CTS, is available in two variants: the luxury-oriented "Cadillac CT5 Platinum" and the sport-oriented "Cadillac CT5 Sport," each with distinct interior and exterior designs and equipment.

Text by HARA Akira

Entering the Segment of Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A6

The "Cadillac CT5" is touted as a unique model that further evolves Cadillac's brand legacy, meticulously engineered and developed with the latest technology to fuse exceptional design, performance, and comfort.

Cadillac Launches New Fastback-Style Luxury Sedan, the CT5 | Cadillac

The platform utilizes the "Alpha Architecture," which achieves both weight reduction and increased rigidity. The body dimensions are 4,925mm in length, 1,895mm in width, and 1,445mm in height, with curb weights of 1,680kg for the Platinum and 1,760kg for the Sport.

The powertrain features a newly designed 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged engine, producing a maximum output of 240ps (177kW) at 5,000rpm and peak torque of 350Nm from 1,500-4,000rpm, exceeding 100ps per liter. It incorporates direct injection, active thermal management, and auto start/stop functionality. Additionally, a twin-scroll turbocharger minimizes turbo lag at low RPMs for throttle response comparable to naturally aspirated engines, and a cylinder deactivation system shuts down two cylinders under light loads to maximize fuel efficiency and performance. Power is delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission, driving the rear wheels in the Platinum and all four wheels in the Sport.

The suspension includes ZF MVS passive dampers for a more comfortable ride, and the Sport model is equipped with intelligent AWD for stable driving even on slippery surfaces. Standard drive modes (Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, My Mode) allow customization of shift schedules, steering and brake feel, front-to-rear torque distribution, and exhaust sound to suit driving conditions.

The exterior, inspired by Cadillac's concept model "Escala," evolves Cadillac's signature edgy style into a more sculpted and fluid form. The new fastback style strongly emphasizes the power and performance of the "Cadillac CT5," while the long wheelbase and elongated side glass create an impression of a low-slung, flowing silhouette. LED vertical lights at the front and rear corners and a prominent mesh grille provide a stylish look that is instantly recognizable as a Cadillac.

The interior is equipped with intuitive and user-friendly technology. Front and rear legroom are among the best in the segment. The high-resolution 10-inch touchscreen, rotary controller, scroll wheel, and hard buttons offer a smooth, smartphone-like interface.

Comfort features include ventilation, seat heating, and massage functions. The sound system utilizes active noise cancellation technology for an immersive audio experience. An ion-generating air conditioner with a sterilizing function also helps maintain clean cabin air.

Safety features include over 20 advanced systems, such as an emergency braking system (front automatic braking/front pedestrian braking), adaptive cruise control that monitors the vehicle ahead and automatically adjusts speed, including full stops, side blind zone alert, and rear pedestrian detection.

The latest navigation system, "Cloud Streaming Navigation," is standard. Co-developed by GM Japan and Zenrin DataCom, this fully connected in-car navigation system enables autonomous driving even in environments where GPS signals are unavailable, such as tunnels. Continuous streaming of the latest map data eliminates the hassle of manual updates.

Pricing is set at ¥5.6 million for the "Cadillac CT5 Platinum" and ¥6.2 million for the "Cadillac CT5 Sport." Deliveries are scheduled to begin in March 2021.

Spec

CADILLAC CT5 | Cadillac CT5