2020 Cadillac CT5 spied
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2020 Cadillac CT5 spied
Last summer, Cadillac announced that it will be dropping the ATS, CTS and XTS for one sedan, presumably called CT5 to fit the naming scheme set by the CT6 and XT5. Now we get our very first look at the upcoming sedan thanks to these spy shots.
The first thing that jumps out is the big hood scoop. We sincerely doubt that scoop will make it to production, and when combined with the scalloped shapes on the car's flanks, we and the spy photographer feel they're probably there to dupe people into thinking it's a weird Dodge Charger. The disguise isn't working, but the scoop surprisingly looks pretty good. Maybe Cadillac should consider putting one on an inevitable V model.
Moving past the fake bodywork, we can see that this CT5 takes inspiration from the Cadillac Escala concept. It has the long, almost fastback cabin and extra rear quarter window of that concept. The headlights are slim horizontal units, too, though they still sweep back a bit to bridge the gap between current models and the Escala. We also see that there's a decent amount of distance between the front axle and the base of the A-pillar, so we suspect that the sedan will retain rear-drive and optional all-wheel-drive drivetrains.
We don't have any other cars in the image to compare it to, but considering the cars the CT5 will replace, we expect it's roughly the size of a CTS, maybe even a touch smaller to satisfy those who want a 3 Series/A4/C-Class size luxury sedan. It will also probably use one or more of the existing powertrains in the Cadillac sedan fleet, which include a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. We'll also probably see the production model sometime in 2019 since that's when the CTS and ATS will go to the big garage in the sky.
The first thing that jumps out is the big hood scoop. We sincerely doubt that scoop will make it to production, and when combined with the scalloped shapes on the car's flanks, we and the spy photographer feel they're probably there to dupe people into thinking it's a weird Dodge Charger. The disguise isn't working, but the scoop surprisingly looks pretty good. Maybe Cadillac should consider putting one on an inevitable V model.
Moving past the fake bodywork, we can see that this CT5 takes inspiration from the Cadillac Escala concept. It has the long, almost fastback cabin and extra rear quarter window of that concept. The headlights are slim horizontal units, too, though they still sweep back a bit to bridge the gap between current models and the Escala. We also see that there's a decent amount of distance between the front axle and the base of the A-pillar, so we suspect that the sedan will retain rear-drive and optional all-wheel-drive drivetrains.
We don't have any other cars in the image to compare it to, but considering the cars the CT5 will replace, we expect it's roughly the size of a CTS, maybe even a touch smaller to satisfy those who want a 3 Series/A4/C-Class size luxury sedan. It will also probably use one or more of the existing powertrains in the Cadillac sedan fleet, which include a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6, and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. We'll also probably see the production model sometime in 2019 since that's when the CTS and ATS will go to the big garage in the sky.
Cadillac Escala Concept
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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Looks promising. Ditching the old-fashioned vertical headlights needed to be done ten years ago. It's a fair looking body, minus the dumpy butt. Soft and feminine in the rear will not attract younger, edgy buyers cross-shopping the imports.
Lexus Fanatic
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Have to disagree on ditching the vertical taillights. That's a Cadillac trademark. The Cimarron and Catera, for example, both ditched them, and both ended up being flops.
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Lexus Fanatic
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I like the vertical lights but they need to show some restraint don't make them half the size of the car.
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Yep, the skin.....not what was under it. 
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Lexus Champion
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From: Southeastern PA
And what did the tail lights on the STS look like? I'm sure you would agree that was a good car from Caddy?
I mean, besides the fact that Fizzboy applauded ditching vertical headlights (since we can't see the tail lights in the spy shots, and the Escala concept clearly has vertical tail lights).
Last edited by tex2670; Jan 11, 2018 at 07:31 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
That's not what I said.
Its main problem was the joke of a power train. But the lack of traditional Caddy styling certainly didn't help.
Vertical....like most Cadillacs. See for yourself.
Yes.....Fizzboy did mention the headlights. That was a typo on my part.....we all make them once in a while.
Its main problem was the joke of a power train. But the lack of traditional Caddy styling certainly didn't help.
And what did the tail lights on the STS look like?
I mean, besides the fact that Fizzboy applauded ditching vertical headlights (since we can't see the tail lights in the spy shots, and the Escala concept clearly has vertical tail lights).
Originally Posted by Sulu
Fizzboy was talking about ditching the vertical HEADLIGHTS, not the vertical TAILLIGHTS.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2012
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From: mo
Uhh the vertical drls are one of the best things to come from caddilac. If anything, they need to be a bit longer to impose even a greater presence. I am dissapointed with the lighting on the escala all around. If you guys dont know, taillights/headlights are one of the most expensive parts to manufacture on a car, which is why a lot of car manufacturers tend to skimp out on them.
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
While we're on the subject of the Cadillac vertical headlights/taillights, a lot of people don't know that the idea for them (and Cadillac started the whole business of fins and vertical lights) came from the WWII Lockheed P-38 fighter plane and its twin-boom fuselage/twin-rudders in back. The Germans called it the "Fork-Tailed Devil" because of its effectiveness as a combat aircraft. Harley Earl, GM's Lead Stylist, was fascinated by that plane, and, after the war, when the factories converted over from military to civil production, and new cars were being built for private-owners again (none were built during most of the war itself), he decided to use the idea of the twin-rudders for Cadillac rear ends. The first smaller fins came out in the late 40s, and, of course, reached their peak in 1959.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: California
Vertical headlights and taillights are features from the past- a time that has moved on in this competitive segment. Being stuck in the past and/or paying homage will hurt the brand here. It's the stuck in the past thinking that is what hurts GM the most. Whatever new sedan Cadillac introduces, it needs to mimic it's direct competitors from Germany and Asia. There is no getting around it, as that is who's selling more cars right now and that is where the money is being collected. Even Cadillac must be seeing some light here, with the introduction of slim, horizontal headlights on this car. The success of this company depends on forward thinking that matches the moderness and edginess of what the competition is and has been providing.