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

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

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]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Outback_ute Outback_ute on Mar 25, 2019

    It might have worked if they could convincingly work in a reference to the fastback Sedanettes of the late 40s. I'm not sure how that would translate into a modern car, but perhaps they could taper the roof and reduce the back seat to two seats only to suit?

  • Nick0264 Nick0264 on Mar 28, 2019

    Nothing like a big chunk of plastic to fill the designers' willful C-pillar gesture. It's evident that GM operates in a complete vacuum.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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