Automotive
Every so often an executive says the quiet part out loud. In a recent podcast appearance, GM President Mark Reuss admitted he wishes Cadillac didn’t need to end the CT6, the brand’s full size flagship that left production in 2020. The context is sensible. GM needed to convert Detroit–Hamtramck into Factory Zero to construct electric trucks and SUVs, and the CT6 was a slow seller in a market tilting hard toward crossovers. Still, hearing the regret from the highest underscores how special that sedan really was.
We said as much back in 2016 once we reviewed the CT6 and praised Cadillac for constructing a legitimate rival to the total size luxury juggernauts. The things that stood out then still resonate now. Aluminum intensive construction that kept weight in check, a chassis that blended composure with real agility, and a cabin that felt modern without losing the brand’s character. It was the form of big sedan that made long miles feel short and reminded you why this format earned its fame.
From an enthusiast’s lens, the CT6’s legend is tied to 1 powertrain. For 2019 and 2020, Cadillac offered the CT6 V and CT6 Platinum with the 4.2 liter twin turbo Blackwing V8. It was a clean sheet design with a hot V layout that tucked the intercooled turbos between the cylinder banks for fast response and packaging efficiency. Output in CT6 V trim hit 550 horsepower and 640 pound feet of torque, and the automobile delivered effortless surge with a soundtrack to match. Cadillac later reused the Blackwing name for CT4 V and CT5 V models, but the unique Blackwing V8 remained unique to the CT6.
The business case was at all times tough. Buyers migrated away from sedans, especially large ones, and the price of engineering a bespoke platform and engine for a low volume flagship is difficult to justify. Rivals felt the identical pressure. Volvo stepped back from the S90, and even Lexus is sunsetting the LS. Add within the plant conversion and GM’s pivot to high profile EV programs, and the CT6’s runway simply ran out.
Reuss’s comment lands since it recognizes a pattern. GM has a history of constructing compelling vehicles that arrive barely ahead of their time, then moving on when the market doesn’t immediately reward the hassle. The CT6 suits that mold. It showed how good a contemporary Cadillac sedan may very well be and set the stage for the brand’s current concentrate on sharper dynamics and driver engagement across the lineup.
Would a CT6 sized sedan work today. The headwinds remain, but the thought of a light-weight, tech forward flagship with refined power and a serene ride still has appeal. If nothing else, the CT6’s short life made a protracted impression. It reminded shoppers that Cadillac could go toe to toe with the segment’s best on engineering and feel, not only on value.
We are going to see what comes next as Cadillac readies its next generation CT5 and continues its EV push. For those of us who frolicked behind the wheel of a CT6, the sentiment is simple to share. It ended too soon.
Source: InsideEVs podcast interview with GM President Mark Reuss
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Darryl Taylor Dowe is a seasoned automotive skilled with a proven track record of leading successful ventures and providing strategic consultation across the automotive industry. With years of hands-on experience in each business operations and market development, Darryl has played a key role in helping automotive brands grow and adapt in a rapidly evolving landscape. His insight and leadership have earned him recognition as a trusted expert, and his contributions to Automotive Addicts reflect his deep knowledge and fervour for the business side of the automobile world.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
