What It Is: Cadillac’s long-awaited full-size, rear-drive sedan—not its full-on flagship—seen here covered up for secrecy. This bagged-up four-door’s visual links to the CTS give away that it’s not the show-stopping luxury flagship we’ve been hoping Cadillac would build. But that’s okay, because this ride’s stretched wheelbase, longer rear doors, more upright front end, and markedly longer hood all point to Cadillac’s new competition for the S-class. Destined to replace the front-drive XTS, the big Caddy is expected to be named CT6, in keeping with Cadillac’s Europhilic alphanumeric naming scheme. We had hoped it would be called de Ville, but we’re perhaps being a bit too nostalgic.

Why It Matters: Even though Cadillac’s true flagship remains in limbo between drawing board and board room, this CT6 fills a more pressing hole in the brand’s lineup: a proper full-size luxury sedan. Currently, the XTS sits above the mid-size CTS in size, but not exactly in price and definitely not in prestige, given its sub-CTS base price and front-drive architecture. Replacing the XTS—which won’t be redesigned when its product cycle expires—with this rear-drive CT6 finally gives Cadillac an actual competitor for the Audi A8, BMW 7-series, and Mercedes-Benz S-class. It also fills out Cadillac’s relatively sparse car lineup, which continues to be anchored by the excellent CTS while the ATS and XTS play (a distant) second fiddle.

View Photos 2016 Cadillac CT6 (spy photo). Bottom: Cadillac Elmiraj concept. CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, MICHAEL SIMARI, JAMES LIPMAN, THE MANUFACTURER

Platform: The CT6 will use Cadillac’s upcoming Omega II platform, which we suspect also will underpin the brand’s true flagship—be it a coupe inspired by the stunning Elmiraj concept or a bigger, more opulent sedan. As these photos clearly show, the CT6 will get a longer and more regal hood, a bigger passenger cell with more of that all-important back-seat space, and a heaping of ground-hugging presence. Still, it appears as though most of the CTS’s basic look carries over to this CT6 prototype; that car’s wide-set headlights and LED fascia accents are visible through the camouflage, as is Cadillac’s signature grille design. The roofline also is similar to the CTS’s and the rear end doesn’t look like it breaks much new ground. These CTS associations are fine by us, given the mid-sizer’s chiseled good looks.

Powertrain: We doubt Cadillac will whip up a new powertrain just for this sedan, especially if the brand has confidence its flagship will get done sooner rather than later. Figure on the CTS Vsport’s twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 making the cut as the CT6’s base engine (or even the CTS’s mid-range, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V-6), while a version of the latest, fifth-generation GM small-block V-8 could be made the optional engine. All-wheel drive will be an option as well, ensuring sales in northern markets. Finally, look for eight-speed automatic transmissions all around.

View Photos CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, MICHAEL SIMARI, JAMES LIPMAN, THE MANUFACTURER

Competition: Audi A8, BMW 7-series, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS, and Mercedes-Benz S-class.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Taking into account how far along in the development phase this CT6 looks to be, we’d bet that Cadillac will reveal its new range-topper within the year. Expect on-sale date in early 2015 at a base price of roughly $75,000.

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