Cadillac's Second Sedan Shoe Drops This Year, and It Has a Name

Not giving up on a segment many Americans have already crossed off their shopping list, Cadillac debuted its strategically placed CT5 sedan this week, sparking no shortage of debate as to its aesthetic attributes.

While one man’s opinion holds about as much weight as a feather, this author gives a thumbs-up to the CT5’s Escala-inspired front clip and a hearty thumbs-down for rear flanks that seem to mimic the Nissan Versa sedan — or perhaps a mid-2000s Maxima. It won’t be the only new sedan Caddy unveils this year. Following on the CT5’s heels is a sedan that brings its trunk game to the party.

We’ve known for some time (since the Johan de Nysschen days), that Cadillac’s aging ATS, CTS, and XTS would give way to a brace of new sedans, though a flurry of trademark filings lent doubt to the second model’s name. Wonder no more.

Speaking to Automotive News, Cadillac President Steve Carlisle said the CT4 will be that next vehicle, due for a debut later this year. Carlisle wouldn’t comment on the smaller of the two vehicles beyond that.

Nor would Andrew Smith, the brand’s executive director of global design, who told the publication, simply, “Boring sedans are dead. I think awesome sedans are going to be around for a while.”

One hopes. Still, the CT5 and CT4’s predecessors suffered from declining sales and damaged residuals brought on by excessive incentivization. Perhaps enough purists exist to make this venture worthwhile; time will tell.

Of course, new cars have to hit the streets before appearing on auto show floors, and the rear-drive CT4 has been spied tooling around in a camo cloak. See these spy pics at GM Authority for a taste of what the CT4 offers. Compared to its larger sibling, the CT4 adopts a less coupe-like roofline and a more pronounced trunklid. The two both share a face drawn from 2016’s Escala concept vehicle.

Powertrain configurations remain a mystery. The CT5 carries a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that will most definitely appear in the CT4, with a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine serving as an uplevel upgrade. Both mills put the power down through a 10-speed transmission.

Carlisle’s comments imply we’ll see this vehicle in the flesh at this fall’s L.A. Auto Show.

[Image: General Motors]