Cadillac’s forthcoming CT6 full-size sedan will carry a starting price of $61,245 when it arrives in the brand’s Canadian showrooms in March 2016, as the second model (after the XT5 crossover) to use Caddy’s new naming convention. It will also give GM’s most prestigious division a true flagship, in a top-end Platinum trim to be priced at $94,620.

That entry-level pricetag is for a rear-drive model powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine shared with the smaller ATS and CTS sedans; a new 3.6L V6 (benchmarked against Infiniti’s 3.7L V6, for what that’s worth) making 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque (up from 304 hp/264 lb-ft) is the mid-range choice and comes with standard AWD; and the range-topping powerplant will be a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 Cadillac says is good for 400 hp and 400 lb-ft, and will also come exclusively with AWD.

Our only question of consequence is whether buyers of big luxury cars will accept a four-cylinder model that costs about $12,000 more than the least-expensive XTS; otherwise, the CT6 looks like it will be a true luxury car, incorporating tech like an available “rear camera mirror” that eliminates all obstructions (passengers’ heads, headrests, roof, and pillars) from the view rearward, and enhanced night vision.

The relatively tiny base engine makes more sense when you consider Cadillac’s aim of creating one of the lightest (if not the lightest) full-size sedan, with a targeted curb weight of less than 1,700 kg. That lightweight 2.0L model will be the only RWD model; all V6 trims will use a new AWD system said to be capable of handling nearly 1,000 lb-ft of torque, which suggests Cadillac plans to add a high-performance V-Series model at some point. While that’s not a sure thing, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is.

CT6 production begins in January, with deliveries to begin in March; Cadillac is already taking orders for the car.

2016 Cadillac CT6

CT6 2.0L Turbo: $61,245
CT6 3.6L AWD: $63,570
CT6 3.0L Turbo AWD: $73,103
CT6 Platinum: $94,620

The 2016 Cadillac CT6 elevates to the top of the Cadillac range, and creates a new formula for the prestige sedan through the integration of new technologies developed to achieve dynamic performance, efficiency and agility previously unseen in large luxury cars. Pre-production model shown.

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