Holden continues to test a variety of Cadillac models in Australia as questions over the brand being introduced go unanswered.
Cadillac’s large CT6 sedan has been spotted in Melbourne, where it is undergoing emissions and transmission calibration testing according to an official statement from Holden.
If badging and trims on the model are correct, it appears to be the new Cadillac CT6 Platinum, equipped with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine and all-wheel drive. The left-hand drive car belongs to Holden’s engineering and development group.
In US showrooms, the 3.0-litre engine sits between the entry-level 3.6-litre V6 and performance-oriented 4.2-litre twin-turbo Blackwing V8. It produces 300kW of power and 542Nm of torque through a ten-speed automatic transmission.
The sighting of the US brand on Australian roads is becoming a more frequent occurrence of late, as both the new CT5 and CT6 have been prevalent on roads near Holden’s upgraded Lang Lang proving ground, east of Melbourne.
Recent funding from General Motors into Holden’s Victorian facility will see it play an important role in global development, alongside local tuning of cars destined for Holden showrooms.
The question, however, which has been lingering since GM pulled out of plans to launch Cadillac here in 2009 – aborted due to the global financial crises – is will we finally see Cadillac in Holden showrooms?
GM is making moves to bring more US products to Australia. It already imports and converts the Chevrolet Camaro and Silverado via HSV, and has confirmed the next-gen Corvette C8 will land here in RHD. Holden chairman, David Buttner, has previously said the evolving Holden brand is investigating opportunities from within GM’s large stable.
But as a business case, Cadillac’s premium sedans might not have enough market to justify conversion, with SUVs the popular choice over traditional segments in Australia. The cheapest CT6 is the 3.6-litre Premium Luxury, priced from USD$67,590. The top-spec 4.2-litre Blackwing V8, which produces 373kW and 778Nm, is priced at just under $100k before price conversion.
Cadillac does have an SUV range, from the small XT4 crossover to the hulking Escalade, though none of the high-riding models have been spotted testing in Australia.
Practical Motoring reached out to Holden and a spokesperson said that the CT6 was indeed undergoing calibration testing, and could not speculate on future product when asked if Cadillac was under consideration for Australian showrooms.
Far too pretentious and over-styled for Aussie tastes. The hardware is great but one look and most buyers will walk. If GM/Holden was smart (which on recent product choices it would appear they are NOT) they’d do a quick restyle to Australianize it perhaps with some VF2 ques. Ahh, what do I know? GM makes all the profitable decisions, don’t they – you know, like pretending the front-drive Insignia is a RWD Commodore?
Over styled? It’s almost as bland as a Camry!
Cadillac is ugly worst reliability and expensive (in my opinion they shouldn’t bring her back to the australian market) maybe 10 years later it s better then now no one will buy a cadillac (corona virus is going viral everywhere )
Its one of the best cars in the world I wish Australia importing cars like cadillac and Toyota super crown