What It Is: A refocused Cadillac sports sedan that will once again set its sights on BMW’s 3-series. It’s best not to think of the CT5 as a direct replacement for either the ATS or the CTS, but rather the new anchor of Cadillac’s soon-to-be-realigned three-sports-sedan lineup. The existing CT6 will sit at the top and continue to split the difference between the 5-series and the 7-series, while the CT5 will be a rear-wheel-drive-based sports sedan fitting in between the 3-series and 5-series, size-wise. An impending CT4, said to be related to the current ATS, will battle Audi’s A3 and Mercedes-Benz’s CLA. (The front-wheel-drive XTS is not long for this world, despite continued strong sales.)

Why It Matters: Cadillac’s attempts at sports-sedan dominance have thus far been a mixed bag, with the current cars offering aggressive styling and class-leading driving dynamics but middling refinement and lackluster cabin environments. The CT5 is a chance for General Motors to make strides in those important areas while still maintaining the sharp handling and potent powertrains that have earned cars like the CTS multiple 10Best Cars awards from this magazine over the past decade. The CT5 will also help usher in a new design language for Cadillac; it’s hard to tell from this highly camouflaged prototype, but it will share cues with the attractive Escala concept car.

View Photos CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, STEVE SILER

Platform: GM’s excellent Alpha platform, which underpins the current Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac’s ATS and CTS models, will continue on, likely with some updates for this redesigned model.

Powertrain: A version of the corporate turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that currently powers the ATS and CTS likely will remain the base engine, with a more powerful, larger-displacement turbo four on tap to replace the aging, naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V-6. The top engine is expected to be a boosted V-6; whether it’s the ATS-V and CTS V-Sport’s twin-turbo 3.6-liter unit or the CT6’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter remains to be seen. V-8 power could be in store for an eventual V-series performance variant, but that’s further off. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive optional. As for transmissions, expect eight- or 10-speed automatics across the board. We’re holding out hope that a six-speed manual might be offered, as on the current ATS and ATS-V, but we won’t hold our breath. Cadillac also may offer a plug-in-hybrid version, as it does with the CT6.

View Photos CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, STEVE SILER

Competition: BMW 3-series, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS.

Estimated Arrival and Price: With the current ATS and CTS nearing the end of their life cycles, the CT5 should be revealed early next year before going on sale sometime in late 2019 as a 2020 model. Pricing probably will start just under $40,000, splitting the difference between the $36,490 and $47,490 Cadillac asks for the base ATS and CTS.

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