All new 2016 Cadillac CT6 make rear passenger entertainment cool again with 4G LTE streaming media
Inexpensive laptops, tablets, and portable DVD players nearly killed the market for factory-installed DVD players that cost $1,000 to $2,000. Now comes Cadillac with a reason to think again about integrated infotainment systems: high-speed internet, a Wi-Fi hub, big back seat displays, an HDMI jack, and reclining seats allow streaming media players and enjoyable entertainment. There’s also a Blu-ray player for shiny-disc rear entertainment.
The Rear Seat Package appears first on the 2016 Cadillac CT6, the full-size luxury/sport sedan Cadillac hopes will compete against Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Cadillac then will offer the rear seat package on its full-size Cadillac Escalade SUV.
Video streaming in a Cadillac: How it work
The center armrest of the CT6 with the Rear Seat Package integrates an HDMI jack, two USB jacks, an audio line-in jack, and a remote control. Just below in the front of the seat cushion (photo right) is a 400-watt AC outlet, a 12-volt jack, and two more USB jacks (charge only), giving the CT6 six USB jacks total. The backs of the front seats integrate two 10-inch LCD displays. The car also has an integrated 4G LTE cellular data-and-voice modem and a Wi-Fi hotspot supporting seven simultaneous devices.
To make it work: Take a streaming media device such as as the Roku Streaming Stick (above), the Amazon Fire TV stick, or Google Chromecast. Plug it in to the HDMI jack, and connect a short USB cable between the stick and USB jack, which delivers power to the stick. Or if you have a larger streaming device such as Apple TV, connect it to the AC outlet.
Pair the stick with Wi-Fi. Use the car’s back seat remote (the smaller remote in the photo above) to select HDMI as the entertainment source, then choose the left, right, or both rear LCDs. Then switch to the streaming device remote and choose your entertainment
Lots of streaming possibilities in cadillac
A decade ago, I tested a KVH TracVisionrear seat entertainment system that brought satellite TV to the car via a rooftop antenna costing $5,000. It’s still available, but the bulk of KVH satellite TV sales are now for motor homes and yachts. For individuals, the ongoing cost is no more than adding one additional receiver to your satellite TV package.
Streaming video has the potential to be an affordable, satellite successor that can be easily tested and adopted by more car owners. I was impressed by the range of video and audio entertainment available. Most of it is free or low-cost, other than the cost of the cellular data. It’s possible to get some live TV.
Data still isn’t cheap in cadillac
The other challenge is the cost of data. Cadillac notes AT&T customers can sign up for an unlimited data package: They can, as part of the AT&T Mobile Share plan, add their car to an unlimited data plan for $40 a month. The AT&T Unlimited Plan is complicated. It requires you have both AT&T Wireless and DirecTV, in which case unlimited data is $100 per month for the first phone, and $40 per month for extra phones, tablets, or connected cars. AT&T notes, “After 22GB of data usage on a line in a bill cycle, AT&T may slow data speeds on that line when the network is congested.”
For discrete AT&T data plans, adding the car is $10 a month. AT&T’s published rates for fixed amounts of data range from 1GB per month for $30 to 10GB per month for $80 to 100GB per month for $450. Unused data rolls over and there’s no charge for going over the data cap, but data is slowed to 2G speeds or a maximum of 128 Kbps, which is barely enough to stream music.
If you’re not an AT&T customer, you can buy a data plan directly through GM’s OnStar system. It runs: 1GB, $10 per month; 4GB, $20 per month; 10GB per month, $40; 20GB spread over 12 months, $150; 250MB per day for occasional users such as vacationers, $5.
Outstanding audio,video in front as well as back
The 34-speaker Bose Panaray audio upgrade was fabulous, as it should be at a price of $100 a speaker. You owe it to yourself to play something better than 128Kbps MP3s. Cadillac CUE, the touchscreen interface, has a big screen and faster processor. The gear shift lever makes a handy wrist balance as you tap on the screen. There’s a jumpy touchpad you can use, too. CUE is better now, but not yet optimal. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated, as is center stack control of Pandora (which must also be on your phone).
The disc player on our car was Blu-ray, less so that anyone needs 1920 x 1080 resolution on a 10-inch display than as a convenience if your collection is part DVD, part Blu-ray. A cubbyhole at the front of the console has a wireless charging pad. If your car doesn’t have the entertainment package and you really need to play CDs, a CD-only player is available for $250.
Cadillac CT6 start from : $55,000 to $91,000
This is a big car at 204 inches long and 4,000 pounds of weight. It’s powered by a 265-hp turbocharged four with drive; or a 335-hp V6, or 404-hp twin-turbo V6 with all-wheel-drive. Prices range from $55,000 to $90,000. There are four trim lines (model variants):
- CT6 Base with 2.0-liter turbo four ($55,000 base price with shipping) with rear drive, or V6, eight-speed automatic, OnStar and Wi-Fi hotspot, LED low and high beam headlamps, 10.2-inch center stack LCD, 3 USB jacks, and eight-speaker audio. The lone option is a Driver Awareness and Convenience Package ($2,950) with navigation, heated front seats, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot detection, front pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic braking, and a panoramic sunroof. This is a must-have option adding things that should have been standard (heated seats on a $55K car!), and all are key safety systems except adaptive cruise control.
- CT6 Luxury ($62,000) with a 335-hp V6 standard, all-wheel-drive, Bose 10-speaker audio, forward collision alert, blind spot detection, heated front seats, low speed braking, and automatic headlamps. This trim line offers the streaming entertainment package called Rear Seat Package ($2,450) with the special armrest, dual 10-inch displays, remote, and wireless headphones. The Enhanced Vision and Comfort Package ($2,025) includes the Gentex wide-angle rear camera that is installed in the rear view mirror, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats). The Active Chassis Package ($3,300) comprises magnetic ride control, active rear steering (the wheels angle slightly), and 20-inch wheels and tires. The Bose Panaray premium sound system is $3,700. With the Luxury and above, the twin-turbo V6 is available for a $4,000 upcharge.
- CT6 Premium Luxury ($65,000) includes the rear camera mirror, 12-inch LCD instrument cluster, and auto parking. The Comfort Package ($900) brings vented front seats and heated rears. The Driver Assist Package ($4,380) pairs really useful driver assists (adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic braking) with nice to have (night vision). The Rear Seat Package is offered, as is the Active Chassis Package and Bose Panaray system.
- CT6 Platinum ($85,000) makes all optional equipment on lower trim lines standard: massaging seats, every driver assist, a head-up display, Bose Panaray. The only major options are the twin-turbo engine ($4,000), premium paint ($500) a ground-effects aero kit ($2,190) and spoiler ($495): $91,645 all in.
source:extreme tech
