Physical Debut of 2020 Cadillac CT5 Offers Additional Insight
Last month, Cadillac digitally unveiled the all-new CT5 sedan — leaving little to the imagination. We learned Caddy’s upcoming model will come with either a turbocharged 2.0-liter four or a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, though General Motors decided to stop short of sharing output figures and pricing.
While the cost continues to remain a mystery, GM provided output specs and loads of additional details for the CT5’s physical debut at the New York International Auto Show.
With order books opening in this fall, the sedan will be offered in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The standard 2.0-liter will provide 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Premium and Sport variants provide access to a V6 with 335 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come with GM’s 10-speed automatic, channeling power to the rear wheels.
To ensure its place on Northern shopping lists, Cadillac says all-wheel drive will be available across the board.
Super Cruise, previously limited to the flagship CT6, will make its way to the smaller CT5 as part of Cadillac’s push to market the vehicle as a technological marvel. Most of that comes via driver assistance features, which this model has in spades. Still, GM stressed that both of the CT5’s motors incorporate direct injection, camshaft phasing, cylinder deactivation, and automatic stop/start “to balance performance, refinement and efficiency.”
There was also some talk about mechanical and electronic sound tuning aimed at augmenting the driving experience while minimizing unwanted noise in the cabin. We’ll wait until we’ve had a chance to drive the car before sharing any complaints about fake engine noises.
CT5 customers will have to wait until 2020 to gain access to the semi-autonomous Super Cruise system. However, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking (forward and reverse), automatic parking assist with braking, HD Surround Vision (with recording capabilities), rear pedestrian detection with alerts, and plenty more should be available at launch. Standard safety content is less impressive — Cadillac will offer forward collision alerts, an improved rear-facing camera, safety alert seat, and low-speed automatic emergency braking at no extra cost.
That’s about all you can get on the base CT5. Most of the best content is locked away behind the Premium Luxury and Sport trims, though notable exceptions include heated and cooled front seats (with optional lumbar massage), heated steering wheel, and an ionizing air-purification system. Standard adaptive remote start will also let you pre-set those features before entering the vehicle.
A 10-inch touchscreen is the default center stack infotainment portal, while buyers will have a choice of 4.2- or 8-inch gauge cluster display. While Cadillac’s CUE hasn’t been our favorite interface, the CT5’s infotainment system looks to have an acceptable number of buttons and knobs. The rest of the interior looks good, too, with leather and wood complementing each other on the Luxury trim.
Going with the Sport model changes the aesthetics quite a bit. Splurging means Cadillac will supply bolstered seats, a unique steering wheel with magnesium shift paddles, special 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes (front only), mesh grille, extended rocker panels, a spoiler, and real-assed carbon fiber trim pieces — in place of the standard woodgrain.
Adapted from the Alpha platform, the CT5 uses a MacPherson front suspension with a five-link independent rear, similar to the CTS. Cadillac claims the setup had evolved and now incorporates new ZF dampers. The sedan’s overall length of 193.8 inches makes it slightly shorter than the midsize CTS. However, its wheelbase is a bit longer than the car it replaces, resulting in relatively short overhangs. Expect a curb weight of at least 3,660 pounds, as the manufacturer only provided the lightest model’s heft.
As for pricing, it’s anybody’s guess. We assume Cadillac will attempt to slightly undercut the BMW 3 Series. That would give the model an entry point just shy of $40,000. If you want to catch a glimpse of the 2020 Cadillac CT5 and play Guess What It’s Worth, the sedan will be on display at the New York Auto Show throughout April.
[Images: General Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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The CT5 ooks like an Infiniti with an aftermarket grill--not distinctive at all. At least it doesn't look as grossly overpriced as an XT4. I saw my first one last week and it looks like it should compete with Acura instead of Audi.
Guangzhou-Guadalajara Motors (GGM) strikes again, with slapdash styling and 7% American-made parts content, 33% Hecho En Mexico parts, and the remainder made in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand. THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD, CADILLAC STYLE.