Cadillac CT6 Lighter Than Similar Sedans Via Patent-Pending Construction

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

While the Cadillac CT6’s exterior may leave the B&B wanting, its lightweight structure may be more impressive.

Cadillac says its upcoming flagship — set to bow March 31 before rolling down the ramp at the 2015 New York Auto Show — uses 13 different materials throughout the chassis and body panels to bring the CT6’s weight down by 198 pounds when compared to a similar model using “predominantly steel construction.”

Per president Johan de Nysschen:

This is the rocket science of automobile construction and manufacturing today. With the CT6, we used high-strength aluminum and high-strength steels; lightweight chassis components; we integrate aluminum and steel where it makes sense; we eliminate every gram of mass possible, while achieving world-class performance.

Most of the vehicle’s structure — 64 percent — is aluminum, with high-strength steel “used strategically to reinforce” the structure, which has 21 patents pending tied to its existence. Aluminum and steel spot welds, flow drill screws, laser welding et al were used to put the structure together. The results eliminate the need for extensive sound-deadening, and allow the CT6 to be bigger and have more standard equipment “while achieving lower overall mass,” according to executive chief engineer Travis Hester.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Mar 16, 2015

    "uses 13 different materials throughout the chassis and body panels to bring the CT6’s weight down by 198 pounds when compared to a similar model using “predominantly steel construction.”" Cool, but that's maybe a 5% or so weight reduction on a 4,000lb or more car (or is the percentage much higher due to the 200lb figure being on an unassembled chassis I wonder?).

  • Oldowl Oldowl on Mar 16, 2015

    Not yet revealed: A drone at each of the four corners will lighten the weight even more.

  • Nickoo Nickoo on Mar 16, 2015

    Big mistake, those 200 lbs aren't going to get customers in the door and galvanic corrosion is going to be a nightmare. In manufacturing, we have a saying, exploit the knee in the curve. In other words, in the cost/features curve, you shoot for 80% features at 25% cost rather than 100% features at 100% cost. Especially when it comes to those features that the customer will not even care about. Hyundai Genesis is the type of car caddy should be building, no one who wants an s class is going to accept anything made by the crest and wreath.

  • Gsp Gsp on Mar 16, 2015

    That I am aware of, BMW, Audi and Porsche have been doing this for years in this segment. The Audi A8 was all aluminum in 1994!

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