#NYIAS: EXCLUSIVE! A Closer Look At The Cadillac CT6's Technology — Is THIS Enough To Keep Up With The BIG Guns?

The 2015 New York Auto Show (NYIAS) marked the debut of an all-new era for Cadillac. With the launch of the all-new CT6, the American luxury automaker is dipping its toes into the large luxury sedan market. Somewhere it hasn't been prevalent in quite some time.

So, what's going to make this even remotely competitive against the likes of the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the other guys?

New York Auto Show

**Read the Cadillac CT6's press release HERE!

Given what we heard at the CT6's launch party in Brooklyn, we're thinking that Cadillac is going to rely on the vehicle's driving dynamics and technology. There's just a couple of problems with this strategy:

1) Driving dynamics aren't incredibly important in this class. The car needs to be comfortable first and foremost while being built SOLID; and,

2) GM's technology is going to have to trump the class leader right now — the S-Class.

Several things Johan de Nysschen brought up during his talk were the Bose sound system dubbed Paneray — funny, sounds like the watchmaker, Panerai — the rear-view camera that's integrated into the rear-view mirror, the pop-up screens integrated into the front seat backs and the night vision that appears to show up in the TFT instrument panel.

As you'll see below, Agent 001 snapped some of the CT6's finer details in these shots. Some things appear to be carryover, for example, the CUE system. Other things, like the rear-view mirror, are all-new innovations.

Thing is, will THIS be enough to keep up with the likes of the latest and greatest large luxury sedans?

The 2015 New York Auto Show Photo Galleries are sponsored by Lexus.

New York Auto Show

TheSteve - 4/8/2015 10:30:15 AM

+3 Boost

*I* believe that those who are enamored with technology, and who would choose to buy a car because of it, are more likely to choose a BMW or Audi than a Caddy, and those who are seriously considering a BMW or Audi aren't even thinking about Cadillac.

The Cadillac company gives me a dominant feeling that they're the guys who made my dad's car, and they're desperately trying to sell to a younger generation.

Dear Cadillac,

If you want to kick the German brands in the pants:
(1) Keep the impressive track numbers you're getting
(2) Redesign your cars to look and feel truly luxurious, not like just another piece of Motown iron
(3) Attain world-class low defect numbers, at point of sale and down the road
(4) Rework your sales and support network to treat your customers like the upper crust

I would LOVE to read the cover of Time magazine: "American Invasion: Cadillac retakes crown as luxury auto maker!"

Benzes1 - 4/8/2015 12:45:18 PM

-3 Boost

Keep dreaming about that Time Magazine cover.

xjug1987a - 4/8/2015 1:59:13 PM

+3 Boost

I agree with TheSteve (Benzes1 has only one line "Mercedes rule! Everyone else are fools" so, discount that comment. These new Cadillac's are the best American cars ever, however there is a mystique the Germans have cultivated. They're not likely to rest on their laurels either so this is an uphill climb. As MattDarringer would say, "Johan De NutCase" has said its going to take a lot of time, as much as 20 years. This means for the next 0-20 yrs Cadillac's must be consistently as good or better than the Germans. The legacy of crappy Cadillac's can and will fade, with consistent, world class quality, performance & value. Generationally, buyers will come to see it as a true competitor whereas to us the current buyers, see them as not really rebuilding but redefining and recreating who they are. In 20 years that old reputation should die out along with many former buyers....Lexus & Infiniti who are what, 25 yrs old now, are still not seen as rivals, though their products are not fully aimed at the Germans. If Cadillac aims and fires properly, and the UAW doesn’t ruin the cars, they should be able to overcome the current situation. That said their dealers need to be massively upgraded in terms of personnel. I have an ATS 3.6 and we just got another new Mercedes for my wife in July. The difference in Customer Experience is like night & day. Cadillac might sell one, but may not replace if the dealers and CE are not improved. The fake surveys where the dealers say, "hey give me good marks ok?" are not likely to help either. However, they're in a much better position than they were even 5 yrs ago and the CT6 will sell if its priced properly. I think there are a lot of folks out there that are tired of the German "way" as well. In my town, the German 3 are everywhere, old and new... having something different that is world class, well that’s a good thing...I’m rooting for the home team.

TomM - 4/8/2015 2:35:15 PM

+2 Boost

THe problem is that they do NOT have to keep up with the big guns - Lexus has already proven that
What they have to do is define THEIR market - make cars for that market - and take care of the customers that buy those types of cars.
There is already a large pent up demand for LARGE FULL SIZE luxury cars - people will be replacing their old Lincoln Town Cars - and that will aid Ford - who introduced a car to address THAT market. That is the pure Luxury car market - not a sports car.
THe Cadillac is likely not a real competitor in that market - and will also likely cost more money.
All one needs do is see the sales of the Large 4x4 Lincoln and Cadillac to see that there is still a market for a large American Luxury car.

However - Cadillac has the XTS - which will likely be the real Cadddy competitor to the Lincoln Continetal - IF Cadillac at least supports the car while it is still there - maybe update cue and add a higher interior option.

runninglogan1 - 4/8/2015 9:15:50 PM

+1 Boost

Cadillac makes great cars. Period. Do they have the image and status of their competitors? No. Will promising new product like the CT6 advance their cause? I hope so.

TheSteve - 4/9/2015 3:07:49 AM

+1 Boost

runninglogan1 writes "...Cadillac makes great cars..."

It all depends on what you mean by "great." Some areas where Cadillac is struggling:

- Attaining noteworthy defect numbers, new and long-term

- Perception as a world-class luxury car-maker (and they are trying to be seen this way)

- Unit sales (except for their SUV)

- Profitability. When a new Caddy comes out, many people say the MSRP is too high for what it is. Sales languish. Eventually, GM or the dealer puts cash on the hood to move built-up inventory (due to insufficient demand). When enough cash is piled up, people start buying the heavily discounted Caddies. This, of course, erodes profits and makes retailers less enthusiastic about the next batch of hard-to-sell Caddies GM is trying to move.