cadillac

Well known as an American big car for the rich, for Europeans it was difficult to understand that GM intended to make the Cadillac marque popular here among premium D-class car buyers with the arrival in 2006 of the BLS, a Swedish built reshaped 4-year-old Saab 9-3 on the shorter Epsilon platform. The related Opel Vectra C sedan stood on the longer 270 cm wheelbase, as did the Chevrolet Malibu.

In 2007 a record 3,000 Cadillacs were sold in Europe (4,500 incl. Russia), of which the majority were American models (mainly SUVs), while over 7,000 were sold in China, then a market less than half as large as Europe, with the arrival of the impressive SLS (Seville Luxury Sedan), a (rwd) STS with extended rear compartment, of which 30,000 eventually would be made and sold, the latter half with a 4-cylinder 2-litre turbo engine. The SLS with Northstar V8 engine was limited for export to the Middle East by March 2008. The SLS introduced SGM’s OnStar in China late in 2009.

By 2017, GM sold more Cadillacs in China than in the USA and Canada together, and nowadays more Cadillacs are sold in China, than in the rest of the world, but that is no exception. The Chinese car market surpassed that of the USA in crisis year 2009. From 2008 to 2010, the Chinese car market doubled. The Cadillac brand was introduced in China in 2004. In 2005, nearly 2,800 Cadillac CTS were assembled. Forty-five years earlier, assembling of Cadillacs had stopped in Europe, after these cars had grown too big. Cadillacs (and Buicks) were of course already sold in Taiwan in the 1990s, incl. the Opel-built Catera.

Unexpectedly, by autumn 2020, China and not America were granted the latest amenities, such as the adaptive matrix headlight system in the XT6 (a lesser variant is available in the 2020 Buick GL8 Avenir), the facial recognition unlocking and starting system in the XT4, and the Super Cruise semi-autonomous highway driving in the CT6 (earlier available in North America, and by 2021 in the CT4, CT5 and Escalade).

In 2021, Cadillac outsold Chevrolet in China (231,800 vs 229,600). Things reversed to ‘normal’ in 2022 when Cadillac's sales were 194,100 vehicles vs 198,400 Chevrolets. The most popular model in China was the CT5, in America the XT5, which was second in China, followed in both markets by the XT4 and XT6.

In 2023 Cadillac deliveries surpassed 183,000, while Chevrolet had deliveries of about 169,000. Buick had sales of over 517,000 units. These figures shrunk to 114,000 Cadillacs, 53,000 Chevrolets and 387,000 Buicks in 2024. So, SGM sales in China sold 35% less in 2024. SAIC reported 435,000 wholesale SGM cars in 2024, vs over 1 million in 2023 (-56.5%). President Biden had announced in May 2024 to quadruple tariff rates on electric vehicles from China to 100%, which was implemented in September of that year.

Thus far, Polestar, the electric car brand from Volvo and its parent company Geely, sold almost 30,000 Polestar 2 models since 2022 in the United States, the only Chinese-made EV car available here. Polestar has removed the Polestar 2 from its US website header in the meantime.

Cadillac XTS USA June 2012 - 2020, China: April 2013 – October 2019

The name of this model preceded the time that ‘X’ would mean crossover. This front-wheel-drive car on the extended Epsilon II platform denied its all-wheel-drive option and air springs to China. US models without air suspension came only for the 2018 model year, after it was decided to continue the XTS with sales in China growing 25~50% in 2016 and 2017, exceeding US sales year by year. The 2-litre turbo engine in China delivered 45 hp less power, but 45 Nm more torque than the 3.6, abandoned here by 2015. With the production of the XTS ending in October 2019, some 18,000 were sold in North America in 2018, vs 65,000 in China (11,300 vs 42,200 in 2019).

p latform:	ext. Epsilon II	XTS
rear suspension:		see below			GM	GM	GM
		wheelbase (cm):	283.7		L850	HF6	HF6
		length from (cm):	513.1		4 cyl.	V6	V6
		width (cm):	185.2		DOHC	DOHC	DOHC
				cc:	1998	3564	3564	cc
					dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.
					turbo		twin turbo


market:
USA/CDN		curb weight from:	1877	kg		12-19	12-19
rear susp:	12-17	4-link independent, H-arm, air springs				fwd or awd	awd
	17-19	fwd: 4-link independent, H-arm, coil springs				6A	6A
	17-19	fwd opt., awd: 4-link indep., H-arm, air springs				227	306	kW
						305	410	hp
						355	500	Nm

China		4-link independent, H-arm, coil springs
					13-19	13-14
		curb weight from:	1840	kg	28T	36S
					fwd	fwd
					6A	6A
				kW	193	224
				hp	262	305
				13-18 Nm	400	360
				18-19 Nm	353

Cadillac ATS-L China: October 2014 – September 2019

The 8.5 cm longer Chinese ATS-L practically outsold the US ATS from the start. In the USA, the ATS had arrived in autumn 2012 and, after a year was imported to China until the ATS-L was produced there a year later. At that time, in America had arrived a 2-door coupe, which would outlive the sedan there from autumn 2018, while the manual transmission was deleted, which was never offered in China, nor was all-wheel-drive. The ATS-L stopped in 2019 with 26,000 units sold.

platform:

Alpha

ATS/ATS-L

rear suspension:

5-link independent, coil springs

L850

L880

HF6

HF6 II

HF6

4 cyl.

DOHC

cc:

1998

2457

3564

3649

3564

dir. inj.

turbo

twin turbo

market:

ATS-V

USA/CDN

ATS

sedan

coupe

sedan:

12-14

14-18

12-16

12-15

15-18

curb weight from:

1505

1547 kg

coupe:

14-19

14-15

15-19

wheelbase (cm):

277.5

rwd/awd

rwd

rwd/awd

rwd

length from (cm):

464.3

466.3

6M'/6A

6M'/6A8A

6A > 8A

6M'/8A

width (cm):

180.5

184.2

203

151

239

250

346

272

202

321

335

464

353

400

259

373

386

603

'rwd only

'rwd only, -18

'15: 8A

' 6M: -18

'15: 6A > 8A

China

import

ATS

sedan

13-14

28T

rwd

203

272

353

China

ATS-L

sedan

14-15

14-19

curb weight from:

1600

25T

28T

wheelbase (cm):

286

rwd

length from (cm):

473

'15: 6A > 8A

width (cm):

182.4

164

200

223

272

353

400

Cadillac CT6 China: January 2016, new body: May 2023 - ; USA: March 2016 - 2020

The first vehicle on the light-weight Omega platform, with a weight from 1655 kg, the impressive CT6 set new standards for an over 5-meter car on an over 3-meter wheelbase. This is just 55 kg over the much smaller ATS-L. The CT6 features a multi-material body-in-white that has 20% fewer parts and is 100 kg lighter than a comparable steel structure. Conceived as a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan (with available all-wheel-drive), there is no air springs option, but active rear steering is available on the V6/V8 models in the United States.

Although the wheelbase (nearly 311 cm) of the CT6 is 5 cm longer than that of the earlier Chinese SLS (a 10 cm stretched STS), the rear legroom is almost 5 cm less.

Two months earlier on the market in China than in the USA, the Chinese CT6 outsold the American CT6 from mid-2017. A plug-in hybrid model, actually an extended range electric vehicle, was made from autumn 2017 till autumn 2018 in China, and also imported to North America. This 2-tonne vehicle at a price of $75,000 was $16,000 more expensive than the regular model with the same 2-litre engine, actually a green vehicle in disguise with the 2.0E badge at the back, but with a second ‘filler’ cap at the left side of the car. With two US-built electric motors mated to the 2-litre turbo engine, three power sources were its characteristic, and as drawback a reduced trunk capacity due to the battery pack.

Some 1,450 CT6 Plug-in hybrid models were built, of which about 200 went to North America. During its sales period in China, a notable 8% were hybrids (in Chinese manner with a 30E badge on the back, as well as a ‘plug-in hybrid’ badge, whereas the regular 2-litre model has a 28T badge). In August 2019, VW and GM said they believe that hybrid cars have no future, though a PHEV Buick Velite 6 was built from 2020 to 2023, and PHEV Buick GL8 and Chevrolet Equinox models followed in 2024, but were not sold in the United States.

When the plug-in model was deleted, another ‘Tripower’ model arrived in autumn 2018 with a long-stroke 2-litre engine with cylinder deactivation and low or high intake-valve lift, depending on power of driving, but it was deleted the next spring in America, possibly as the engine was needed for the Chevrolet Blazer and Cadillac CT5 and XT5. This meant that all CT6 models there featured four-wheel-drive. In China, in the first three quarters of 2019, only a quarter of a percent were four-wheel-drive models (68 units), of which sales stopped that year. Here the new 2-litre engine became the only offering in 2019. Cylinder deactivation has been earlier practised by Cadillac for the 1981 model year with the ‘Displacement on Demand’ V8-6-4 L62 6-litre 140 hp engine, realizing a 15% better gas mileage, but rather powerless when riding on 4 cylinders.

Production of the CT6 in North America stopped in February 2020, after from 2016 till 2019 some 9,500, 11,000, 10,000 and 8,000 units were sold, compared with 6,000, 12,000, 17,000 and 22,500 in China, where nearly 11,000 were sold in 2023 and less than 4,400 in 2024.

In July 2020, Cadillac in China added two CT6 2-litre Super Cruise editions (Leading and Flagship), after its availability had stopped earlier this year when the V6 model was deleted. In 2017, the Cadillac CT6 with Super Cruise was launched in the U.S. and Canada, and the next year in China. It is China's first mass-produced intelligent driving technology to let go two-handed driving on the highway (semi-autonomous highway driving). In November 2021 the Super Cruise was limited to the Platinum version.

A newly styled model with a fastback rear shape, inspired by the Escala concept car, still without the 48V mild hybrid system, came in May 2023, for China only. The length of the car is unchanged, but it is over one cm wider to accommodate the wider track for the 19-inch wheel model. Design was by Frank Wu, lead designer at Cadillac (Warren) from 2011 until 2017. Prices start from 359,700 Yuan, vs 399,700 earlier. Super Cruise is optional. Retail sales of the new CT6 dwindled from 950 per month in 2023, to about 500 in the first half of 2024 and 150 in the second half. The previous CT6 sold 930 per month in 2022.

platform:

Omega

CT6

rear suspension:

5-link independent, coil springs

curb weight from:

1655

L850

CSS 50T

HF6

HF6 II

Blackwing

wheelbase (cm):

310.9

4 cyl.

length from (cm):

517.9

DOHC

width (cm):

187.9

cc:

1998

2990

3649

4192

dir. inj.

turbo

twin turbo

plug in

market:

CT6-V

USA/CDN

16-18

17-18

18-19

16-19

16-20

19-20

2.0T

2.0E

2.0T

3.0TT

3.6

4.2TT

-19

400

800T

V (ext)

19-20

rwd

awd

EVT

10A

'8A, 18> 10A

10A

198

198+52

177

301

250

373

410

265

265+70

237

404

335

500

550

400

400+186

350

542

385

778

867

EPA electric drive range

China

2023 model:

↓

16-18

17-18

18-

16-19

curb weight from:

1745

28T

30E

28T

40T

wheelbase (cm):

310.9

rwd

awd

length from (cm):

522.3

(since 18.11)

EVT

10A

8A, 19 > 10A

width (cm):

189

max kW

198

198+52

177 '20 > 174

298

max hp

269

269+71

237 '20 > 235

404

400

400+186

350

543

NEDC electric drive range

l/100 km

7.9

1.7

7.1~7.2

9.3 > 9.2

WLTC l/100 km

7.49~7.74

2023 model:

7.59~7.66

EVT: electric variable transmission

Cadillac XT5 China: April 2016 - September 2024, USA: April 2016 -

As the first model on the new C1 platform , which is the crossover version of the E2 architecture, the XT5 was introduced in April 2016, in the USA with the new V6 3.6 engine, and in China with the 2-litre turbo engine, both markets with the choice of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. In 2017 China added a mild hybrid 4wd version (6.6 kW/49 Nm motor) with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, reducing the fuel consumption from 8.7 to 7.9 l/100 km. By 2018 Chinese sales exceeded those of North America, with one out of every eight a hybrid. In summer 2019, the only engine for China became the new 2-litre turbo with cylinder deactivation, which engine was added to the line in the USA. In China, a 48V mild hybrid came by February 2021.

In China in 2019, 7% were hybrid models, and in 2020, about three, in America four out of every ten is four-wheel-drive. In April 2020 in China, the power was slightly reduced, improving the fuel consumption from 7.5 to 7.3 l/100 km (4wd: 7.9 > 7.8 l/100 km). In Russia, since February 2020, the 4wd XT5 is imported with the 2-litre engine derated to a tax-efficient 200 hp. Some 1,250 units were sold there of the earlier model with V6 engine. 46,000 units were sold in China in 2022, 35,000 in 2023 and around 16,000 in 2024 until the arrival of the new generation XT5. In the United States, approximately 27,000 were sold per year.

platform:	C1UL	XT5
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coil springs			GM	GM	GM	GM	GM	GM
		curb weight from:	1795	kg	L850	L850	L850	CSS 50T	CSS 50T	HF6 II
		wheelbase (cm):	285.7		4 cyl.	4 cyl.	4 cyl.	4 cyl.	4 cyl.	V6
		length from (cm):	481.2		DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC
		width (cm):	190.3	cc:	1998	1998	1998	1998	1998	3649
					dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.
					turbo	turbo	turbo	turbo	turbo
						mild hybrid			mild hybrid
market:
USA/CDN								19-		16-
								20: 350T		20: 400
								fwd/4wd		fwd/4wd
								9A		8A, 19 > 9A
								177 '20 > 175		231	kW
								237 '20 > 235		310	hp
								350		367	Nm
										fwd -19

Russia								20-22		16-20
								350T
								4wd		4wd
								9A		8A, 19 > 9A
								147		228	kW
								200		310	hp
								350		367	Nm

China					16-19	16-19	17-19	19-21	21-24
					25T	28T	28E	28T	(28T)
					fwd	4wd	4wd	fwd/4wd	fwd/4wd
					8A	8A	9A	9A	9A
				max kW	179	193	193 + 6.6	177 '20 > 174	174 + 10
				max hp	243	262	262 + 9	237 '20 > 233	233 + 13
				Nm	400	400	400	350	350 + 50
				l/100 km	8.2	8.7	7.9	-20: 7.5/7.9	7.0/7.4
				l/100 km				20-21: 7.3/7.8

Cadillac XT4 China: September 2018 - , USA: September 2018 - 2025

This light-weight crossover on the E2 platform also was launched simultaneously in USA and China, both with the new 2-litre CSS 50T (Cylinder Set Strategy) turbo engine with power dependent valve management and cylinder deactivation, and front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, with 32,000 US sales vs 47,000 in China in 2019. In the US, the fwd/4wd sales split was about fifty-fifty. In China, the two-wheel drive top configuration accounted for more than half of the XT4's sales.

In October 2020, the XT4 arrived in Europe with a new 4-cylinder 2-litre CSS 50V series diesel engine, developed at the former GM Powertrain Torino, also to be fitted in the Insignia. The 3-cylinder version came in the Astra in August 2019, and a 6-cylinder ‘Duramax’ in the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra. The XT4 disappeared from the European market in the course of 2024.

From September 2020 in China only, at a price of 10,000 yuan, the XT4 can be equipped with a facial recognition unlocking and starting system, at which the touchscreen on the B-pillar is activated automatically through the driver’s mobile phone's Bluetooth recognition wake-up function. In China, a 48V mild hybrid came by December 2021.

In 2021, 2% of the XT4 in China were four-wheel-drive. 34,500 units were sold in China in 2022, almost 20,000 in 2023 and over 9,000 in 2024. In the United States, approximately 22,000 were sold per year. In July 2023, the face-lifted XT4 became available in China with the 155 kW 1.5 dual fast cam phasers turbo engine, and four-wheel-drive is now optional on the mid-range ‘Luxury’ 2-litre model.

Production in the United States ceased in January 2025.

platform:	E2UL	XT4
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coil springs			SGM	GM	GM	GM
		curb weight from:	1642	kg	CSS 375T	CSS 50T	CSS 50T	CSS 50V
		wheelbase (cm):	277.9		4 cyl.	4 cyl.	4 cyl.	4 cyl.
		length from (cm):	460		DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC
		width (cm):	188.1		1498	1998	1998	1995	cc
					dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.
					turbo	turbo	turbo	turbo
					mild hybrid		mild hybrid	diesel
market:
USA/CDN						18-25
						20: 350T
						fwd/4wd
						9A
						177 '20 > 175			kW
						237 '20 > 235			hp
						350			Nm

China					23-	18-21	21-
					(25T)	28T	(28T)
					fwd	fwd/4wd	fwd/4wd
					9A	9A	9A
					155 + 10	177 '20 > 174	174 + 10		max kW
					211 + 13	237 '20 > 233	233 + 13		max hp
					270	350	350 + 50		Nm
				WLTC			7.38/7.75		l/100 km
				23-	7.25		7.44/7.81		l/100 km

Europe						20-24		20-24
						350T		350D
						fwd/4wd		fwd/4wd
						9A		9A
						177 '20 > 172		128	kW
						237 '20 > 230		174	PS
						350		380	Nm

Russia						21-22		21-22
						350T		350D
						fwd		fwd
						9A		9A
						147		128	kW
						199		174	PS
						350		380	Nm

Cadillac XT6 USA: June 2019, China: July 2019

This is a 3-seat row model, featuring the same engine availability as the XT5, except that the 2-litre initially was denied to America, but added by model year 2021. In America the standard seat layout is 2-3-2, and optional 2-2-2 with captain’s chairs in the middle. In China, this latter option initially was the standard layout, with a 7-seater available free of charge for the entry-level front-wheel-drive model, but by November 2019 more models got this seating choice. In China it is offered for about half of the price of other luxury SUVs sold in the form of imports. In June 2020, the power was slightly reduced, improving the fuel consumption from 7.8 (4wd: 8.2) to 7.6 (4wd: 8.1) l/100 km, and by February 2021 to 7.2 (4wd: 7.6), adding a 10 kW electric motor (mild hybrid).

There is a choice of single or triple headlights, the latter with a new adaptive matrix system that continuously assesses the profile of the oncoming and preceding traffic and adjusts the headlamps’ 14 LED segments to provide 28 independent lighting zones for the driver while reducing glare for the other concerned road users. It was a standard feature across XT6 variants in China, until more basic models were added by June 2020. Unfortunately, in North America, this system is for the present forbidden by federal motor vehicle regulations (though it is legal in Canada).

11,559 units were sold in the United States in 2019, vs 11,053 in China, where sales started two months later. Over 60% were all-wheel-drive in the US. In Russia, the American 4wd XT6 is imported with the 2-litre engine with a tax-efficient 200 hp, similar to the one used in the regular 2020 Insignia models. In the second half of 2021, Super Cruise became available in the United States.

22,000 Cadillac XT6 units were sold in China in 2022, 16,000 in 2023 and 4,446 in 2024. In the United States, approximately 20,000 were sold per year. The seven-seater version was discontinued in China in November 2024, and the front-wheel-drive version was replaced by a single-clutch four-wheel drive model.

Production in the United States will cease at the end of 2025.

platform:	C1TL	XT6
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coil springs				GM	GM	GM
		curb weight from:	1980	kg		CSS 50T	CSS 50T	HF6 II
		wheelbase (cm):	286.3			4 cyl.	4 cyl.	V6
		length from (cm):	505.6			DOHC	DOHC	DOHC
		width (cm):	196.4		cc:	1998	1998	3649
						dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.
						turbo	turbo
							mild hybrid
market:
USA/CDN						20-		19-
						350T		400
						fwd/4wd		fwd/4wd
						9A		9A
					kW	177 '20 > 175		231	kW
					hp	237 '20 > 235		310	hp
					Nm	350		367	Nm

Russia						20-22
						350T
						4wd
						9A
					kW	147
					hp	200
					Nm	350

China						19-21	21-
						28T	(28T)
						fwd/4wd	fwd/awd
						9A	9A
					max kW	177 '20 > 174	174 + 10
					max hp	237 '20 > 233	233 + 13
					Nm	350	350 + 50
					l/100 km	-20: 7.8/8.2	7.2/7.6
					l/100 km	20-21: 7.6/8.1	7.76/8.24	WLTC

							*fwd -24*

Cadillac CT5 China: November 2019, USA: December 2019

This is the first Cadillac on the new Alpha 2 rear-wheel-drive platform with digital feature connectivity. With 43 sold in 2019 in the United States vs 6,191 in China, China again took the lead. The CT5-V with twin turbo 3-litre engine is not offered in China, nor is all-wheel-drive.

For America, a Cadillac CT5-V ‘Blackwing’ arrived in summer 2021, offering a six-speed manual gearbox in addition to the 10-speed automatic, equipped with an updated supercharged 6.2-litre V8, as was in the CTS-V. This vehicle, like its CT4-V stablemate, will be equipped with magnesium wheels. It is worth mentioning that this magnesium alloy wheel is an open innovation achieved by the General Motors Chinese Academy of Sciences in conjunction with Chinese suppliers and universities.

By early 2021, Super Cruise semi-autonomous highway driving became available in North America, and by May 2021 (until late 2023) in China. 67,000 Cadillac CT5 units were sold in China in 2022. By April 2023, among other upgrades, the car also tamporarily offered an optional Le Mans Orange paint color in China. 84,500 were sold in 2023 and 57,600 in 2024 in China. In the United States, 15~18,000 were sold per year. America offered "Cyber Yellow Metallic" as an extra-charge color option for the CT5-V for model year 2024, arriving in mid-2023. A completely revamped front end was installed at the end of December 2023 in China and the car is officially positioned in China as a "new American-style sedan". A new color (until 2025) was Big Barley Gold, though consumers gave priority to white, gray and black.

The production of this model in America started in spring 2024 as a 2025 model. America offered "Drift Metallic" as an extra-charge color option for the 2025 CT5-V. This is a light, metallic blue color with a hint of gray, described as a "cloudy-sky-blue", designed to resemble tire smoke and is also available for the CT4-V. Cyber Yellow Metallic will be added to the color palette of the 2026 model year CT5 in America.

By March 2025 the CT5 in China gets the same body colors as the American high-performance V-series: Typhoon Green and Wind Chasing Blue. The new model launched an exclusive Black Label performance kit, incl. a V-shaped spoiler.

platform:	Alpha 2	CT5
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coil springs			GM	GM	GM
		curb weight from:	1660	kg	CSS 50T	HF6	LT4
		wheelbase (cm):	294.7			V6	V8
		length from (cm):	492.4		DOHC	DOHC	OHV
		width (cm):	188.3		1998	2990	6162	cc
					dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.
					turbo	twin turbo	supercharger

market:						CT5, CT5-V	CT5-V
USA/CDN					19-	20-	21-
					350T	550T, V	V (Blackwing)
					rwd/awd	rwd/awd	rwd
					10A	10A	6M/10A
					177	250-265	498	kW
					237	335-360	668	hp
					350	542-550	893	Nm

China:		curb weight from:	1640	kg	19-
					28T
					rwd
					10A
				max kW	177 '20 > 174
				max hp	237 '20 > 233
				Nm	350
				l/100 km	6.9
				WLTC	7.64/7.88
				*2312:*	7.51/7.78
				*2501:*	7.51/7.53

Cadillac CT4 USA: March 2020, China: April 2020

Also on the Alpha 2 platform, similar in length to its predecessor ATS, and actually not that much different in appearance, the early batch at the dealers in the US are equally divided between rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models. It will compete with BMW 1-series, Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A Class. The 4-cylinder tripower 2.7-litre engine is not offered in China, nor are the all-wheel-drive models. The Chinese ATS-L’s successor is the CT5. In China, by April 2020, the portfolio for Cadillac extends from CT4, CT5, CT6 rwd sedans, to XT4, XT5, XT6 fwd/awd crossovers, all with the 2-litre engine with cylinder deactivation, next to the awd V8 6.2 Escalade ESV, imported since April 2017.

For America, a Cadillac CT4-V ‘Blackwing’ came in late summer 2021, offering a six-speed manual gearbox in addition to the 10-speed automatic, equipped with an updated twin-turbocharged 3.6 V6, as was in the ATS-V. By early 2021, Super Cruise semi-autonomous highway driving became available in North America. By model year 2024 America offered "Cyber Yellow Metallic" as an extra-charge color option for the CT4-V.

By November 2022, the Chinese CT4 became available with the 150 kW 1.5 dual fast cam phasers direct injection turbo engine, dubbed 25T. With a price of 219,700 yuan, it is among the cheapest and most sporty rear-wheel drive models in China. It is worth mentioning that the car also offers an optional new "Le Mans Orange" paint color, next to Interstellar Blue. Almost 11,000 units were sold in China in 2022, 7,350 in 2023 and 1,600 in 2024. In the United States, approximately 9,000 were sold in 2022 and 2023, and 6,000 in 2024.

platform:	Alpha 2	CT4
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coil springs			SGM	GM	GM	GM
		curb weight from:	1525	kg	CSS 375T	CSS 50T	CSS 675T	HF6
		wheelbase (cm):	277.5		4 cyl.		4 cyl.	V6
		length from (cm):	475.6		DOHC	DOHC	DOHC	DOHC
		width (cm):	181.5		1498	1998	2727	3564	cc
					dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.	dir. inj.
					turbo	turbo	turbo	twin turbo

market:							CT4, CT4-V	CT4-V
USA/CDN						20-	20-	21-
						350T	500T*, V	V (Blackwing)
						rwd/awd	rwd/awd	rwd
						8A	10A	6M/10A
						177	231-242	352	kW
						237	310-325	472	hp
						350	475-515	603	Nm

China		curb weight from:	1525	kg	22-	20-
		wheelbase (cm):	277.5		25T	28T
		length from (cm):	476		rwd	rwd
		width (cm):	181.5		8A	8A
				max kW	155	174
				max hp	211	233
				l/100 km		6.7
				WLTC	7.03	7.36

* 1,155 CT4 left the factory with incorrect 450T badge

Cadillac Lyriq (L233) USA: July 2022, China: September 2022

The launch of this electric crossover on GM's BEV3 Ultium electric vehicle platform has been postponed for two years. The (rear-mounted) single-motor Lyriq model went into production in March 2022 in the United States, and in May 2022 in Shanghai, China. The driving range in China under CLTC conditions is 653 km, and 608 km for the four-wheel-drive. The Chinese name of the Lyriq is Ruige (sharp song), IQ Ruige by November 2023. The Lyriq badge is on the back of the car. Delivery of the rear-wheel-drive model in China started at the end of September 2022 (in July for customer test drives) and of the permanent four-wheel-drive model in late December (May 2023 in America). In China 2,366 units were delivered in 2022, vs only 122 in the United States (where almost 8,200 were built).

The design is by Frenchwoman Magalie Debellis, who as manager of Cadillac Advanced Design also led the team responsible for the styling of the Celestiq.

The rear engine in the four-wheel drive Lyriq reduces its power/torque digitally to 220 kW/405 Nm, while the additional front engine produces 155 kW/305 Nm. Chinese four-wheel drive Lyriqs deliver 710 Nm vs a detuned 610 Nm in America, but a Velocity over-the-air software upgrade was made available in America in September 2023, boosting torque to 710 Nm and 0~100 km/h acceleration to 4.4 seconds (4.6 seconds in China), but may result in a ca. 25 km lower driving range. This coincided apparently with the transfer of the motor production from the United States to China for the 2024 model year. The 2025 models saw an increase of the output and range, while the Velocity pack was deleted, awaiting the Lyriq-V. From model year 2026, Super Cruise will become standard on all American Lyriqs.

The Chinese Lyriq is equipped with NCM 811 (Nickel 80% – Cobalt 10% – Manganese 10%) ternary lithium-ion 95.7 kWh batteries ( 352.3V/271.6 Ah) , jointly developed by SAIC-GM and local suppliers. The American Lyriq is equipped with NCMA (nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum) quaternary lithium-ion (ca) 102 kWh batteries made by Ultium Cells LLC (a joint venture between GM Group and Korean LG Chem, now LG Energy Solution), which effectively reduce the dependence on rare earth elements.

Only 1,086 Lyriqs were delivered in China in the first half of 2023 (2,316 in the USA), prompting SGM to reduce the price of the whole series in July 2023 by 60,000 yuan, resulting in 1,836 deliveries in the third quarter of 2023 (3,018 in the USA). The price range before adjustment was 439,700 yuan to 479,700 yuan, and the adjusted guide price range is 379,700 yuan to 419,700 yuan. Almost 2,700 were delivered in the second half of 2023. 3,784 units in 2023 compares to around 9,000 in the United States. In 2024, nearly 1,100 units were sold in China, vs 28,402 in the States.

In November 2023 SGM added another 100,000 yuan (14,000 USD) cheaper and 215 kg lighter entry-level model for 297,700 yuan, reducing the power of the motor from 255 kW to 250 kW and decreasing the (187 kg lighter) battery capacity from 95.7 to 68.4 kWh (352.3V/194 Ah), resulting in a cutting of the CLTC driving range from 653 to 502 km. This also reduces the gross vehicle weight to well below the 3 tonnes of the other models, causing the IQ Ruige Standard Range Edition to be almost half a second faster when accelerating from 0-100 km/h. The Super Cruise driving assistance system, now standard on the other models, was optional for 20,000 yuan. Cadillac also announced that IQ users will be connected to the Tesla charging network within the year.

Following SGM, in actual user testing, the IQ Ruige Long Range Edition has a maximum battery life of 761 km, far exceeding the official CLTC battery life of 653 km.

The Lyriq-V with a lowered suspension and a quicker steering ratio, combined with a continuous damping control system, arrived in North America in May 2025, and basically is a Lyriq awd, with 615 hp (459 kW) and 650 lb-ft (881 Nm) torque in Velocity Max mode, a driver-selectable feature (via the V button, mounted on the steering wheel). Velocity Max unlocks additional horsepower and torque from the vehicle’s battery and electric drive units, enabling "more aggressive" power and acceleration. In combination with the included launch control, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. The car comes standard with a black painted roof. The Lyriq-V does not have air suspension. It will be sold worldwide and is expected to be built in China later in 2025.

platform:	BEV 3	Lyriq		22-	22-
front suspension:		double wishbone, coils		USA	China
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coils
		wheelbase (cm):		309.4	309.4
			length (cm):	499.6	500.3
			width (cm):	197.6	197.7
			height (cm):	162.3	163.7
							all-electric
								full-time	full-time
							rwd	awd	awd

USA/CDN/MEX	22-						22 > 25	23 > 25	25-
							450E	600E4	V
				curb weight from:			2520	2625	2713	kg

				drive motor:			255 > 272	375 > 384	384/459*	kW
							340 > 365	500 > 515	515/615*	net hp
							440	610	610/881*	Nm
				Velocity upgrade (23-25):				710		Nm

				battery capacity:			101.7	101.7	101.7	kWh

			EPA electric drive range -23:				502			km
			23 > 25				505 > 524	494 > 513	459	km
				0-100 km/h:			6.35	4.7	3.3	sec
				Velocity upgrade:				4.4		sec


China	22-					23-	22-	22-	tbe 25
				*till 23.11:*			450E	700E4	V
				curb weight from:		2320	2535	2600	2674	kg

				drive motor:		250	255	375	375/443*	kW
						335	342	503	503/594*	net hp
						440	440	710		Nm

				battery capacity:		68.4	95.7	95.7	95.7	kWh

			CLTC electric drive range:			502	653	608		km
				0-100 km/h:		5.9	6.35	4.6		sec
		Power consumption per 100 kilometers:				14.4	15.6	16.7		kWh

* in Velocity Max mode

Cadillac GT4 China: May 2023

Sharing the E2 front-wheel-drive platform with the XT4, but with the wheelbase extended to 280 cm, and 10 cm lower, this coupe SUV is available with the 150/155 kW 1.5 dual fast cam phasers turbo engine, or as part-time four-wheel-drive with the 2-litre turbo, with 4 exhaust pipes. Both engines are equipped with the 48V mild hybrid system, which is always one step faster at the start. Almost 6,000 were sold in 2023 and over 2,500 in 2024.

platform:	E2QL	GT4
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coil springs			SGM	GM
		curb weight from:	1610	kg	CSS 375T	CSS 50T
		wheelbase (cm):	280		4 cyl.	4 cyl.
		length from (cm):	463.3		DOHC	DOHC
		width (cm):	187.8		1498	1998	cc
					dir. inj.	dir. inj.
					turbo	turbo
					mild hybrid	mild hybrid
market:
China					23-	23-
					25T	28T
					fwd	4wd
					9A	9A
					150 +10	169 + 10	net kW
					155 + 10	174 + 10	max kW
					204 + 13	230 + 13	net hp
					211 + 13	237 + 13	max hp
				WLTC	6.74, 6.82	7.47	l/100 km

Cadillac Optiq China: April 2024, USA: January 2025

Sharing the 295.4 cm BEV3 Ultium electric vehicle platform with the Buick Electra E5, a 180 kW front-motor version is offered in China, as well as a 143/68 kW (on-demand) all-wheel drive version with a rear induction motor. The eAWD system continuously (depending on drive mode) varies the drive power to the front and rear wheels to maximize driving efficiency and improve driving dynamics. The design is by Taiwanese Jason Cheng, creative designer at General Motors since 2015. Length/width/height are 482/191/164 cm.

The Optiq made its world premiere at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show on November 17, when the launch of a Chinese name collection campaign for this new car from netizens was announced. The Chinese name of the new car is "IQ Ao Ge", meaning proud song. The Optiq badge is on the back of the car. Super Cruise is standard on the four-wheel-drive model (as it is in Northern America). 2,386 units were sold in China in its first year.

The 300 hp Optiq came in North America in January 2025, only with four-wheel-drive, but it is essentially a front-wheel-drive vehicle. In May 2025 it arrived in the Middle-East, with Super Cruise to be implemented there in the second half of 2025. A 'rear wheel drive based' 440 hp full-time all-wheel-drive Optiq with permanent magnet motors front and rear will succeed on the 300 hp model in the fall of 2025, next to an entry level 315 hp rear-wheel-drive model. The 2026 Optiq will be offered in Europe and other markets as well, incl. Australia.

Also expected in Northern America in the fall of 2025, the Optiq-V is equipped with the 519 hp Velocity Max option 'for a burst of power and acceleration'. The battery power is 85 kWh vs 101.7 kWh for the Lyriq. Both models have the same torque of 881 Nm, indicating that the motors are identical. The Optiq-V will also be sold in Mexico and the Middle East and is expected to be built in China.

platform:	BEV 3	Optiq(-V)		25-	24-
front suspension:		Coilover strut		USA	China
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coils
		wheelbase (cm):		295.4	295.4
			length (cm):	482.1	482.2
			width (cm):	191.3	191.2
			height (cm):	164.3	164.4

							all-electric
								on-	full-	full-
								demand	time	time
						fwd	rwd	4wd	4wd	4wd
China	24-					24-		24-		tbe 25
										V
				curb weight from:		2130		2300			kg

				drive motor:		180		143/68			kW
						245		194/92			hp
						330		305/160			Nm

				battery capacity:		65		79.7			kWh
			CLTC electric drive range:			536		600			km


USA/CDN/MEX	25-						tbe 25	25-25	tbe 25	tbe 25
								500E4		V
				curb weight from:				2355		2470	kg

				drive motor:			235	224	328	328/387*	kW
							315	300	440	440/519*	hp
							450	480	675	675/881*	Nm

				battery capacity:			85	85	85	85	kWh
			electric drive range:					486		442	km

Middle East	25-							25-		tbe 25
								450E4

				drive motor:				224			kW
								300			hp
								451			Nm

				battery capacity:				85			kWh
			electric drive range:					492			km

* in Velocity Max mode

Cadillac XT5 China: September 2024

With a length of 489 cm, the new China-only XT5 is on the longer wheelbase of the XT6, but ca. 17 cm shorter. Engines are the same mild hybrids. The front-wheel-drive version is replaced by a single-clutch four-wheel drive model. Both passive and active safety are on a high level. Some 15,000 were sold in 2024.

platform:	XT5
rear suspension:	5-link independent, coil springs				GM
	curb weight from:	1970	kg		CSS 50T
	wheelbase (cm):	286.3			4 cyl.
	length from (cm):	488.8			DOHC
	width (cm):	195.7		cc:	1998
					dir. inj.
					turbo
					mild hybrid

China					24-
					(28T)
					4wd
					9A
				max kW	174 + 10
				max hp	233 + 13
				Nm	350 + 50
				l/100 km	8.23/8.33

Cadillac Vistiq USA: April 2025; China: tbe 2025

Sharing the 309.4 cm BEV3 Ultium electric vehicle platform with the Lyriq-V, it shares its 615 hp Velocity Max motor and will replace the XT6. With a length of over 520 cm, a width of over 2 meter, and a height of over 180 cm, this 3-row SUV doesn't share the agile looks of the Lyriq and Optiq. The drive range is 491 km and 23-inch wheels will be available. This six/seven-seat upper-large SUV was unveiled in November 2024 and became available in America in April 2025. The front motor is 155 kW, the rear motor 220 kW (180 and 250 kW in Velocity Max setting).

The Premium Luxury and Platinum models offer active rear steering, enabling 'Cadillac Arrival Mode' allowing the vehicle to move in a more diagonal direction. The system works by turning the rear wheels slightly, enhancing stability at higher speeds and making the Vistiq feel smaller in parking lots. Height-adjustable air springs replacing the coil springs are on the same models and can also drop the vehicle five centimeters for easier entry. GM's latest Super Cruise hands-free assistant is standard.

The Vistiq will be offered in Europe and other markets as well, incl. Australia. It will be launched in China for the first time at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2025, and probably will be an import from America.

platform:	BEV 3	Vistiq		25
front suspension:		double wishbone, coils*		USA
rear suspension:		5-link independent, coils*
		wheelbase (cm):		309.4
			length (cm):	522.2
			width (cm):	202.6
			height (cm):	180.4

		* optional air suspension			all-electric
					permanent
						awd
USA	25					25
						900E4
				curb weight from:		2869	kg

				drive motor:		384/459*	kW
						515/615*	hp
						610/881*	Nm

				battery capacity:		101.7	kWh
			electric drive range:			491	km

* in Velocity Max mode

Net output data are approximate.

with thanks to carsalesbase.com, http://db.auto.sohu.com, gmauthority.com

For recent specifications on Cadillac cars built in China, see:
On a Global Mission: The Automobiles of General Motors International

Far East Auto Literature

26 June, 2025