Cadillac's CT4 Debuts at End of Month, Joined by a Brace of Vs

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems
cadillacs ct4 debuts at end of month joined by a brace of vs

It’s a period of flux for Cadillac’s sedan lineup, one that mirrors the changes occurring across the segment as a whole. Old models are out, and in their place, a range of updated and restyled offerings aim to rekindle America’s love for traditional four-doors.

Fewer restyled offerings, one should note. As nameplates bleed out of the marketplace, Cadillac’s passenger car range will shrink from four models to three next year. We’ve already seen Caddy’s plan for its CTS successor — the Escala-inspired CT5 seen above — but the brand’s second sedan shoe has yet to drop.

You won’t have to wait long for the ATS’ replacement. The CT4 drops the curtain on May 30th, and, as many expected, both it and the CT5 will appear with V-badged performance editions.

News of the unveil date comes by way of Motor1, which received an invite to the reveal party and immediately took to the web to tell everyone. Cadillac confirmed that the CT4-V mentioned in the email was indeed accurate — there will be a hotter variant of the smaller of the two new rear-drive sedans.

Both CT4 and CT5 ride on an updated version of General Motors’ Alpha platform, dubbed Alpha 2. Rear-drive remains standard on the CT5, with all-wheel drive available to buyers looking for more all-weather grip. The smaller sibling will surely see optional AWD, too. In V guise, it’s assumed that the CT5 will add a version of Cadillac’s 4.2-liter Blackwing V8, offering power in excess of the CT5’s range-topping twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. In the CT4, it’s possible the 3.0TT might serve as that uplevel V motor, though enthusiasts no doubt have their fingers crossed for eight-cylinder action.

Unlike the fastback-styled CT5 (which still boasts a trunk, and not a very spacious one at that), spy photos of the CT4 show a car with a more conventional sedan profile. Sharply-raked rear glass flows to a more pronounced trunk, though the car’s face strongly resembles the CT5 and the Escala design concept. Less glitz and more minimalism is baked into this design. Cadillac seems to be going for elegant athleticism with this look.

Once on sale, both the CT5 and CT4 will feature very strategic pricing aimed at drawing buyers away from the German brands. Former Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen said the CT5 should woo buyers in the $35,000-$45,000 range, with the CT4 going in search of entry-level luxury buyers.

[Image: General Motors]

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  • Akear Akear on May 16, 2019

    The verdict is out. Get rid of the gills!!

  • Ban-One Ban-One on May 18, 2019

    the very last paragraph of this article is the most important one - ATS / CTS / CT6 did not sell well mostly because of over-ambitious pricing. you don't beat the German and Japanese marques by offering less for more or same money

  • Ehaase 1980-1982 Cougar XR-7 shared its wheelbase and body with the Thunderbird. I think the Cougar name was used for the 1977 and 1981 sedans, regular coupe and wagons (1977 and 1982 only) in an effort to replicate Oldsmobile's success using the Cutlass name on all its intermediates, although I wonder why Ford bothered, as the Granada/Cougar were replaced by the Fox LTD/Marquis in 1983.
  • Ken Accomando The Mark VIII was actually designed before the aero Bird, but FMC was nervous about the huge change in design, so it followed the Thunderbird a year. Remember, at this time, the 1983 Thunderbird was the first new aero Ford, with the Tempo soon following. It seems so obvious now but Ford was concerned if their buyers would accept the new aero look! To get the Lincoln buyers warmed up, they also debuted for the 1982 auto show season the Lincoln Concept 90…which really previewed the new Mark VII. Also, the new 1983 Thunderbird and Cougar debuted a little late, in Nov 1982, so perhaps that’s why they were left out of the full line brochures.
  • Tassos This is yesterday;s news, or even the day before. I reported it here yesterday, and commented on it. Do wake up.
  • 2ACL As far as manufacturers with US operations go? Current Focus or Fiesta. Honda e.As for those with no US operations, I've been intrigued by the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered and Vauxhall Corsa Electric.
  • Tassos SNAAB shot itself in the foot when it BASTARDIZED its unique brand by BADGE ENGINEERING its vehicles with GOD DAMNED GM, OPEL, CHEVY, LANCIA and who knows what other automotive RIFF RAFF. I know of no Saab Enthusiast (they do exist) who felt sorry when the stupid maker went BANKRUPT.
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