When the Cadillac CT6 debuted just a few short years ago, I thought, finally. A new flagship Cadillac. A nice big sedan, like Cadillacs of old. It looked good. But then, I’m a sedan man. Give me a sedan, or an honest-to-God station wagon. I’ve never been drawn to hatchbacks, crossovers and SUVs, though I’ve always loved the original Grand Cherokee and classic Grand Wagoneer.
But of course combovers are taking over the world. After all, why buy a sedan when you can get something similar to a sedan, but with clumsier handling, uglier styling, a higher center of gravity and suckier fuel mileage? But never mind.
So, sedans are in a slump. And the vast coverage of GM’s factory closing and model pruning left the CT6 initially as one of the victims. But earlier this week, GM executives declared that the CT6 will remain available after the factory currently producing it, in Hamtramck, Michigan, closes in June.
I’ve admired the CT6 since it was introduced, and always had to hover over the examples that came in over at my local dealer, McLaughlin Cadillac. I still need to review one, especially since I drove its primary competitor, the Lincoln Continental, late last year. Hopefully, I’ll get that arranged soon-at least once the weather improves!
Just this afternoon though, I stopped by the dealership and they had two ’19 CT6s sitting right out front. A third in black was parked nearby.
My Town Car and a new CT6, November 2016.
The revised nose and tail make the 2019s easy to spot; earlier versions had a more traditional Cadillac face.
The question is, where will it be built? That has not been mentioned yet, but for now I’m glad one will still be able to get a big Cadillac sedan if one so desires. Cadillac built its reputation for decades, on long, luxurious sedans.
Plush comfort, power, room and prestige, that’s Cadillac. I’m curious to see if production picks up, and whether or not the car will be built at another U.S. GM factory or overseas. China is a distinct possibility of course, with that country’s love of giant, chauffeur driven sedans. And the CT6 is already built there for Chinese retail sales. Naturally, I’d prefer a Cadillac be built in the land of the free, but for now, it’s enough for me that the car will continue.
However, I do have a few suggestions for GM. First of all, this car comes in only seven colors, and only two-black and silver-are no-cost selections. My favorite current Cadillac color, Adriatic Blue, apparently was removed for 2019. So the only color I really love is Red Horizon Tintcoat, though the pearl white isn’t bad. Here’s my pitch: Remove gray and silver from the color palette, including black interior. Offer, say, navy blue leather instead of black. Offer navy or emerald green instead of silver. Add some really beautiful colors. Make black livery-only. Or better yet, offer black and silver, but for extra cost.
My wild idea, perhaps a certain failure in today’s market, is to offer an extra-high end CT6 Talisman. Talisman is such a great name for a luxury car.
And of course, the name has a history with the Standard of the World, applied to the most Broughamtastic Cadillac ever made, at least in your author’s opinion.
Offer it as a four seater, with dual consoles, and a nice selection of interior colors and fabrics (yes, fabrics, though I understand velour might not fly in 2019) not available on the regular CT6.
Add extra flashy wheels, maybe with center caps or painted spokes matching the car’s color. And add a stand-up hood ornament. Just little changes to trim, and a lusher interior. I know a padded top and opera lamps are not going to work on a modern car! But what the heck?
There are probably not many people who know of the 1974-76 Fleetwood Talisman, so for that market, it would seem to be fresh and new. And for those classic Cadillac aficionados, they’d understand the relevance. Win-win.
The CT6 might have another year or two in the line unless sales pick up. Why not give a nod to when Cadillacs were large, in charge, and seen in fine venues nationwide? At this point, what have they got to lose? Might as well have fun with it. And those XT5s, Escalades and the brand new Cadillac XT4 will sell strongly, for those who just have to have a tall wagon-oops, I mean crossover, heh. Why not have a little fun with the CT6 while it’s still here?
At any rate, it means I might get to do a road test of the CT6 for Riverside Green yet! Stay tuned…