Voyeur Edition? The Cadillac CT6 is Ready to Record Your Private Moments

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

You just know this feature is going to be used by a frisky couple or a penniless college film student with a traditional, “buy domestic!” uncle.

Cadillac made a big deal about the video rear-view mirror in its 2016 CT6, but now it says drivers can film — and store— video shot by four external cameras. With the range-topping sedan now rolling into dealers, the automaker really wants people to know just what the industry-first system can do.

Don’t lose that memory card if you’re an adventurous driver.

In total, seven cameras are available on the CT6, but only the external ones have recording capability. Those cameras — behind the grille, in each side-view mirror, and in the trunk lid — can film in two different modes, sending the video to a standard SD card located in the trunk.

Yes, if you wanted to, you could film a movie and edit it on your laptop.

A driver can set the cameras to record a 360-degree view when the security system is activated, which would be great for a clandestine stakeout, though Cadillac says it only turns on when the vehicle is tampered with. Privacy concerns strike again.

When the vehicle is underway, a driver can record footage from the front and rear cameras — a feature the automaker says is useful for recording a “memorable drive,” though anyone with blood pumping through their veins probably isn’t thinking about colorful foliage right now. Still, we’re talking about a full-size Cadillac here, albeit one far removed from the broughams of yesteryear.

There’s a security function to that mode as well, given that most collisions are front or rear impact. Dashcams aren’t as popular here as they are in Russia, so it would be nice to be able to hand a police officer (or insurance broker) video proof of your innocence.

[Image: General Motors]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Maserchist Maserchist on Jun 14, 2016

    Driving was so much more fun in the later years of precomputer carbureators and early transistor ignitions; points & condensors always were PITA. Of course, there were 100 million less cars on the "open road" too...smh

    • See 4 previous
    • Default Default on Jun 15, 2016

      @cartunez So... you were the "idiot"... or do you really intend to purport you possess the ability to read minds? You seem to imply your reported event was the fault of a motorist who reduced velocity, not the rear-ending motorist who failed to maintain an assured clear distance and/or adequate situational awareness. "The first thing we must recognize is that crashes are not accidents." -Ricardo Martinez, M.D., NHTSA Administrator, 1997

  • Mcs Mcs on Jun 14, 2016

    I have four external cams on my car, but they're prone to picking up all kinds of dirt and crap on the lenses. In the rain, forget about the front and rear cameras. I think the rear one has a layer of pollen over it right now. The advantage of a GoPro behind-the-glass is that the windshield can be cleaned with washer fluid and wipers.

  • ToolGuy First picture: I realize that opinions vary on the height of modern trucks, but that entry door on the building is 80 inches tall and hits just below the headlights. Does anyone really believe this is reasonable?Second picture: I do not believe that is a good parking spot to be able to access the bed storage. More specifically, how do you plan to unload topsoil with the truck parked like that? Maybe you kids are taller than me.
  • ToolGuy The other day I attempted to check the engine oil in one of my old embarrassing vehicles and I guess the red shop towel I used wasn't genuine Snap-on (lots of counterfeits floating around) plus my driveway isn't completely level and long story short, the engine seized 3 minutes later.No more used cars for me, and nothing but dealer service from here on in (the journalists were right).
  • Doughboy Wow, Merc knocks it out of the park with their naming convention… again. /s
  • Doughboy I’ve seen car bras before, but never car beards. ZZ Top would be proud.
  • Bkojote Allright, actual person who knows trucks here, the article gets it a bit wrong.First off, the Maverick is not at all comparable to a Tacoma just because they're both Hybrids. Or lemme be blunt, the butch-est non-hybrid Maverick Tremor is suitable for 2/10 difficulty trails, a Trailhunter is for about 5/10 or maybe 6/10, just about the upper end of any stock vehicle you're buying from the factory. Aside from a Sasquatch Bronco or Rubicon Jeep Wrangler you're looking at something you're towing back if you want more capability (or perhaps something you /wish/ you were towing back.)Now, where the real world difference should play out is on the trail, where a lot of low speed crawling usually saps efficiency, especially when loaded to the gills. Real world MPG from a 4Runner is about 12-13mpg, So if this loaded-with-overlander-catalog Trailhunter is still pulling in the 20's - or even 18-19, that's a massive improvement.
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