But quality in and of itself is not enough to woo luxury customers these days, and full arsenal of technology and convenience are available in the CT6, from expected driving aids and touchscreen nav, night vision, pedestrian collision mitigation, LED lighting, massaging seats, rear-seat infotainment and legroom for days, self-parking function with braking and steering, welcome lighting, hands-free trunk operation and all the trappings of prestige vehicles. However, Cadillac has also come up with a few innovations and increased the functionality of advanced tech, like a seamless image for the 360-degree parking aid camera and Rear Camera Mirror, which uses camera images to fill in the image on the rear-view mirror blocked by headrests and limited rear window. CUE gains a touchpad to complement the main 10.2-inch touchscreen, GM’s 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless phone charging.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few technologies of interest, so we will copy some feature lists from the press release for you to pore over.

Finally, the design. You can decide for yourselves whether you think this will be a success or failure, but I will at least weigh in with my brief thoughts. While it doesn’t have the same panache or presence as the Elmiraj concept that I hoped it would more closely resemble, it is an elegant and distinguished sedan, much like the current generation CTS, with beautiful proportions of a long hood, fairly upright grille and tail and short rear decklid with the cab sitting over its rear haunches to emphasize its rear-drive platform. The details fill in the design, with satin metallic grille, a tasteful ornament and subtle surface accents that have softened over the years. However, I take exception to the DRL LED strips, which continue below the bottom of the headlight cluster like somebody’s pen slipped in the original design sketch and nobody noticed.

Quick Specs: 2016 Cadillac CT6
Engines: 265 hp 2.0L turbo I4; 335-hp / 284 lb-ft of torque 3.6L V6; 400-hp / 400 lb-ft of torque 3.6L V6
Transmission: 8-speed Hydra-Matic 8L45 automatic (2.0T I4/3.6L V6); 8-speed Hydra-Matic 8L90 automatic (3.0L twin-turbo V6)
Configuration: front-engine, rear-wheel drive, optional all-wheel drive
Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 5,184 / 1,879 / 1,472 / 3,106 mm
Curb Weight (est.): less than 1,700 kg
Assembly: Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, Hamtramck, Mich.
Availability: Late 2015

From Press Release:

• True 360-degree camera view around the vehicle, displayed on the Cadillac CUE screen, helps reduce blind spots around the vehicle
• Enhanced Night Vision helps identify people, large animals and more via heat signatures on a display in the driver information center
• Rear Camera Mirror is the industry’s first application of full-display technology, combining camera technology with the conventional inside mirror to project an unobstructed view in the mirror
• New Advanced Park Assist integrates automatic braking into automatic parking
• New Pedestrian Collision Mitigation technology provides pedestrian detection indications, alerts and automatic braking to avoid collisions
• Large, 10.2-inch-diagonal CUE interface screen with 1280 x 720 HD resolution and console mounted touchpad. The capacitive-touch screen reacts faster when scrolling and recognizes handwriting for address/points of interest search. The touchpad allows control of CUE features while resting an arm on the center console rather than touching the screen
• Wireless phone charging and OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Standard Indirect Fire light-emitting diode front lighting system offers state-of-the-art, more efficient illumination for a distinctive appearance that is both technical and expressive in its character and personality
• Extended comfort seats offer a refined, luxurious appearance. Features include premium Opus leather, five massage programs, reclining rear seats and Cadillac’s first application of woven-in-seat heating elements
• All-new Articulating Rear Seat package offers new thresholds for comfort and luxury, with approximately 83 mm (3.3 inches) of adjustable seat travel, lumbar adjustment, tilting cushions, massage feature, heating/cooling features and armrest with media controls, including HDMI and USB ports
• Comprehensive rear seat infotainment system with articulating 10-inch-diagonal screens that retract into the front seatbacks, along with connectivity for brought-in devices
• Quadzone climate system, which employs a secondary full-HVAC system that allows passengers to personalize temperature and airflow for each seating position, along with ionizing air purification
• Cadillac-first Bose® Panaray® audio system features 34 strategically placed speakers for exceptional dynamic range and clarity, including the first automotive application of design and technology elements from Bose home entertainment and professional audio products
• Concierge welcome lighting that illuminates the outside of the car as the owner approaches, based on the signal from the passive entry fob
• Hands-free power deck lid operation
• Generous rear-seat legroom – 1027 mm (40.4 inches) – and segment-best interior storage, including 2.2L centre console storage volume.

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