2016 Cadillac CT6 adds stealth mode video surveillance

GENERAL Motors has unveiled technology for its Cadillac CT6 that will keep a watchful eye on what's going on around your car, even if you’re not inside it.

When parked up, the CT6 – flagged as a potential replacement for the Holden Caprice once local carmaking ends next year – will use four of its seven cameras spread around the vehicle to start recording video and monitor its surrounds as soon as an alarm is triggered.

Likewise, on the road, the CT6 will use the sedan’s front and rear cameras to record what’s happening around the car while it is moving, allowing owners to “record events such as a memorable drive… or record an incident”.

GM says the video will be stored on a memory card that plugs into the system via a boot-mounted SD card slot.

“Owners can choose to save certain captures indefinitely on the SD card or they can view or save the video files onto their personal computers,” it said.

The Cadillac CT6 is not the first vehicle to record video. The track-friendly Chevrolet Corvette introduced a similar feature in 2014 that saves video and audio to a USB stick, allowing owners to keep a record of their track time or a blast down their favourite road.

BMW has introduced similar technology to its M3 sedan and M4 coupe range, allowing drivers to control a GoPro video camera via the car’s multimedia interface.

Cadillac says the four cameras will also be used for the CT6’s surround-view system that can highlight any obstacles around the car. Another down the rear is used as a reversing camera, while a pair of forward-looking ones are used for the CT6’s lane departure warning system and night vision.