Detroit show: Cadillac outs XT6 seven-seater
BY SPENCER LEECH | 14th Jan 2019
CADILLAC has taken to the Detroit motor show to reveal its new three-row XT6 large SUV, which will join the XT4, XT5 and Escalade in the brand’s North American SUV stable in 2020.
GM Holden refused to write-off the XT6 for the Australian market, but, as it has shown little headway into relaunching the American brand Down Under, it is unlikely the XT6 will be locally made available.
Cadillac was set to be reintroduced to Australia in 2009, however was forced to postpone the idea indefinitely in the midst of the global financial crisis that saw parent-company General Motors (GM) file for chapter 11 bankruptcy.
In keeping with tradition, Cadillac’s latest is big on interior technology and premium materials, though power comes from GM’s familiar 3.6-litre V6 engine equipped to a nine-speed automatic transmission offering up to four selectable driving modes.
In this case, the V6 is tuned to produce 231kw at 6600 rpm and 373Nm at 5000 rpm, which is sent to the front wheels in the entry-level Premium Luxury variant, and to all-four corners in the higher spec Premium Luxury AWD and range-topping Sport.
On the inside, the XT6 is finished in a wood trim or carbon-fibre in the Sport, and features a 14-speaker Bose audio system, semi-aniline leather-appointed seats, an air ioniser, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
The interior also benefits from NFC phone pairing and wireless charging, six USB ports, a surround-view monitor, a hands-free liftgate and keyless open with remote start.
A strong suite of safety and driver assistance technologies are also onboard as standard including adaptive cruise control, seven airbags, forward collision alert, following distance indicator, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front pedestrian braking, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind spot alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning and a speed limiter.
North American customers will also be able to opt for a reversing camera mirror, enhanced AEB and adaptive cruise control systems, automatic parking assist, rear pedestrian alert, a surround-view recorder, head-up display, reverse automatic braking, and hitch guidance for towing.
Styling fits in line with the rest of the Cadillac’s XT SUV line-up, albeit with a few modernising touches, boasting the iconic Cadillac grille, tall presence and narrow LED headlights with vertically emphasized light signatures.
The Premium Luxury is distinguished by a Bright Galvana finish on the grille, side window mouldings, roof rails and specific 20-inch wheels, while the top-of-the-range XT6 Sport gains ‘performance-inspired’ 20- or 21-inch wheels, a black grille, and unique front and rear fascias and exhaust outlets.
The XT6 Sport should demonstrate ‘sportier’ characteristics than the Premium Luxury, with bespoke drive mode calibrations, torque vectoring, continuous damping control and a faster steering ratio for increased feedback and responsiveness.
Cadillac will begin manufacturing the XT6 at its Spring Hill plant in Tennessee before going on sale to the American public in the country’s spring months.
