The PHEV variant features an all-new electric variable transmission (EVT) designed for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, integrating dual electric motors and attached to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The setup is good for 335 horsepower and 432 lb-ft of torque, matching the horsepower output of Cadillac’s naturally-aspirated V6 and exceeding the torque rating of even the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 of the range-topping package.
“The CT6 PHEV will deliver exceptional smooth, responsive acceleration that Cadillac and luxury sedan owners demand,” said CT6 executive chief engineer Travis Hester. “We have managed to achieve superior drive quality when compared to our PHEV competitors due to our exclusively designed EVT.”
For buyers more concerned with electric range rather than power, the company has outfitted the PHEV with an 18.4-kWh battery pack between the rear seat and the trunk. The system is comprised of 192 prismatic pouch cells, with active thermal control to help maintain charge range over years of use.
Range estimates will not be announced until closer to the US launch date, but the setup is said to provide enough electricity for “most daily commutes.” For comparison, the new Audi A6 L e-tron integrates a slightly smaller 14.1-kWh battery that is claimed to last for 31 miles.
The company also claiming its PHEV system will “more than double” the fuel-economy numbers of conventional powertrain offerings, however the reference is based on miles per gallon equivalent. Official figures are being kept under wraps for now.
GM has not yet announced a launch date for the CT6 PHEV. The standard variants will be in showrooms late this year, suggesting the hybrid could be held until sometime in 2016.
Live images by Ronan Glon.
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