The first time I’ve laid eyes upon the Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid was in April 2015, on the grounds of the Auto Shanghai show. To be manufactured in China, the CT6 PHEV will cross the pond to North America in the spring of 2017, priced from $75,095 plus $995 destination freight charge before any electric vehicle incentives.
I’m afraid yes, the most eco-friendly model in the CT6 lineup will be produced in The Middle Kingdom. And at $75,095, the plug-in hybrid is more expensive than the CT6 AWD 3.0L Twin-Turbo Premium Luxury. On the upside, the CT6 PHEV promises a driving range of more than 400 miles (644 kilometers).
In all-electric mode, the 18.4 kWh lithium-ion battery offers a driving range of approximately 30 miles (48 km). Each electric motor of the CT6 PHEV churns out 100 horsepower, enough for a top speed of 78 mph (125 km/h) on electric power only. When the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine fires up, total system output stands at an estimated 335 hp and 432 lb-ft (586 Nm).
Pedal to the metal, the 2017 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid hits 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.2 seconds, on to a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h). As standard, the PHEV builds upon the regular CT6 in Premium Luxury form. More specifically, the car comes equipped from the get-go with ultra-bright machined finish wheels, UltraView power sunroof, Surround Vision Recorder, IntelliBeam headlights, low-speed automatic braking, and Surround Vision.
If, however, plug-in hybrids are not your cup of tea, fret not. As soon as the 2018 model year, Cadillac is expected to shoehorn the all-new LT5 twin-turbo V8 in the CT6. Displacing 4.2 liters and named after the C4 Corvette ZR-1’s engine, the LT5 has a cylinder deactivation function for added efficiency.
As the rumor mill points out, the LT5 is also earmarked for the mid-engine Corvette due for the 2019 model year. In related news, Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen said that an all-new flagship model is in the making.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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