Cadillac introduced its CT6 flagship in 2016 to much fanfare, despite the car coming along just as sedan sales were beginning fade in the face of the ever-increasing popularity of crossovers, particularly in the luxury space.
While the CT6 has sold just a few hundred cars annually here since its arrival, Cadillac continues to keep it up to date with regular updates. And speaking of updates, one of the changes for 2018 is the ability for the CT6 to receive over-the-air updates to its various software systems. This big sedan also gets the latest version of Cadillac's CUE infotainment system and automatic settings for the front seat ventilation and heated steering functions, while the automatic parking system now no longer requires pedal inputs from the driver.
From late last year, Cadillac began offering the CT6 with GM's Super Cruise semi-autonomous drive system, which allows the car to handle itself in highway driving -- provided you're happy staying in the same lane and moving at whatever speed the car in front is doing.
Competing with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8, the CT6 shows Cadillac's engineering prowess in a way unlike any Caddy that's preceded it. For example, it's made largely of aluminum so that it weighs little more than the smaller CTS.
Engine-wise, the base 2.0-litre turbo produces 265 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version uses the four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. Next up is a 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6 with 335 hp and 285 lb-ft of torque. The flagship powertrain for the moment is the 3.0L twin-turbo V6, good for impressive figures of 404 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
All cars use an eight-speed automatic save the PHEV, which gets a continuously variable transmission; the 2.0T is rear-wheel drive, while all others feature all-wheel drive as standard.
The CT6 is the poshest Cadillac built to date and proves GM can build a flagship vehicle up to the standard of European rivals. There's no shortage of equipment here either; the CT6 can be had with just about every conceivable feature presently found in a car.
Available driving technology includes magnetic damping, rear-wheel steering, and selectable drive modes that alter the torque split for the all-wheel drive system. All models have a standard full TFT instrument cluster, while the standard 10.2-inch central CUE display features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Twenty-way adjustable seats cosset the driver and passenger, while those in the back are treated to power-operated thrones with massage function, and where equipped, dual 10-inch entertainment displays. Audiophiles should also note that the CT6 boasts Bose's incredible Panaray sound system which features 34(!) speakers. Radar cruise control, automatic front and rear emergency braking, parking assistant, lane-keeping assist, and night vision are all available.
Fuel consumption estimates range from 11.0/7.8 for four-cylinder models, and 13.0/9.1 with the twin-turbo V6. The PHEV is rated 10.2/8.1 when running on a combination of gas and electricity, or 3.8Le/100 km on electricity alone, which the car can use exclusively for about 50 km when fully charged.
