Filed under: SUV, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, BMW, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Cadillac is gunning for BMW. The company's recently unveiled ATS is a clear shot across the bow of the German automaker's 3 Series, and Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports the small sedan may be the first of a larger product offensive. Kurt McNeil, vice president of sales with Cadillac, said the luxury brand is currently looking into the possibility of a small CUV designed to lure in BMW X3 buyers. The vehicle would be smaller than the current Cadillac SRX, which saw an 11 percent increase in sales last year.

The report makes it clear that General Motors hasn't given the go-ahead on the smaller crossover, though the fact that Cadillac is growing its presence globally will likely factor heavily in the final decision on whether or not to bring the vehicle to market. American buyers are always happy to welcome another tall-riding five-door into the fold, but CUVs don't enjoy the same level of prestige in European markets.

Cadillac considering smaller-than-SRX crossover? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Cadillac, Luxury

Owners of 2010 and 2011 model year Cadillac SRX utility vehicles, lend me your ears: Your luxury crossover may be facing a recall. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some 8,789 affected units could have an improperly fitted transmission shift cable.

According to the government agency's notice, the faulty installation could result in the cable popping out of the transmission bracket. If that happens, NHTSA says the transmission may not shift at all, rendering the vehicle immobile. The gearbox could also appear to be in Park when it isn't, resulting in a potential rollaway.

Cadillac will begin notifying owners of vehicles covered in the recall next month, and dealers will be tasked with inspecting the cable and making sure it's properly routed and secured. For more details, check out the official notice after the jump.

Continue reading Over 8,700 Cadillac SRX models recalled for faulty transmission cables

Over 8,700 Cadillac SRX models recalled for faulty transmission cables originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Safety, Videos, Crossover, Cadillac, Luxury

Cadillac has earned itself a gaggle of five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program for the 2012 CTS sedan and wagon and SRX crossover. The CTS earned four stars for the rollover test, but five stars in the frontal and side tests, giving it a score of five stars overall. The SRX returned the same results and the rakish CTS Coupe hasn't yet been rated.

Follow the jump for videos of both Cadillacs earning their stars and for a press release with more information.

Continue reading Cadillac CTS and SRX net top NHTSA safety scores [w/video]

Cadillac CTS and SRX net top NHTSA safety scores [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Cadillac, Infotainment

We just wrapped up our first hands-on with Cadillac CUE, the luxury automaker's attempt at a modern, fully-integrated infotainment system for the upcoming XTS, ATS and refreshed SRX.

First impressions are favorable, although in its current form the system is still very beta in both execution and response. However, the core tenants of the system - a capacitive screen with multitouch control and proximity sensors, capacitive center stack buttons and a configurable instrument panel - are all functional and incredibly slick, despite some slow responses and awkward transitions.

Cadillac's electronics and HMI team have been working on CUE for the better part of four years and their efforts show. And with daily builds of the system being developed and deployed, they're well on their way to having the system ready for prime time when the XTS arrives early next year. Get a taste of CUE in action in the video after the jump and look for an animated cameo of the XTS towards the end.

Continue reading Hands on with Cadillac CUE

Hands on with Cadillac CUE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Crossover, Cadillac, First Drives, Luxury

Cadillac's Best-Seller Goes RX Hunting With New Ammunition



While standing in front of the newly updated 2012 Cadillac SRX, a fellow journalist asked Cadillac Communications Manager David Caldwell why the crossover wasn't based on a rear-wheel-drive chassis. The answer? "We already tried that," said Caldwell.

Those who pray to the gods of rear-wheel drive can go ahead and throw your hands in the air. Smack your forehead, toss down your napkin in disgust and walk away from the dinner table. The truth is simple: The masses like their upscale 'utes to be behave like their midsize luxury sedans. They want comfort and predictability when traipsing from the mall to school, on road trips and everything in between, albeit with a higher seating position, room for cargo out back and an air of stylish sophistication. But is that really a bad thing?

Continue reading 2012 Cadillac SRX [w/video]

2012 Cadillac SRX [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Cadillac, GM

The 2012 Cadillac SRX hits dealerships next month, and although the majority of its new model year updates are small, there's big news under the hood. General Motors has decided to ditch both its 3.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 and 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 in favor of the automaker's more powerful 3.6-liter V6, an engine found in a variety of applications throughout GM's portfolio.

GM has officially priced the 2012 SRX from $36,060 (*including $875 for destination).

Other changes for the 2012 model year include standard Bluetooth connectivity on all models, a new Xenon Blue Metallic paint option, new interior color choices and a revised 20-inch wheel pattern, among other things. Follow the jump to read GM's official press release with the full details and check out the 2012 SRX in our gallery above.

Continue reading 2012 Cadillac SRX with 308-hp V6 to start at $36,060*

2012 Cadillac SRX with 308-hp V6 to start at $36,060* originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Cadillac, Luxury

General Motors has announced that it is recalling 47,401 2011 Cadillac SRX models. The vehicles are programmed to deactivate the right-side roof rail airbag if sensors detect that the right side seat is unoccupied. That means that in the event of a rollover, rear seat occupants may not be protected by the supplemental restraint system. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard 208, which deals specifically with occupant protection.

GM says that dealers will reprogram the airbag system free of charge. Cadillac SRX owners can expect to be notified of the recall on or around June 17 and may call Cadillac directly for more information on the program. Click past the jump for the full recall notice.

Continue reading GM recalling 47,000 Cadillac SRX models over faulty airbag software

GM recalling 47,000 Cadillac SRX models over faulty airbag software originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: China, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac

Like just about every other automaker on the planet, Cadillac is looking to stake out a larger claim of the Chinese automotive industry. Right now, the brand is viewed as somewhat downmarket from rivals that many in the U.S. see as being on equal ground.

Perhaps, then, Cadillac will look to try something new. In a new short film for the Chinese-market SRX, Cadillac attempts to bridge East with West via Route 66. The ad shows actress and singer-songwriter Karen Mok taking on Will Rogers Highway with a male friend. The Mother Road calls, romance blooms and the Cadillac SRX is the tool that unites the pair. Click past the jump to view the spot.

Continue reading Chinese Cadillac SRX ad with Karen Mok captures romance of Route 66

Chinese Cadillac SRX ad with Karen Mok captures romance of Route 66 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Crossover, Cadillac, Electric, Luxury

In December, 2010 there were reports that a Cadillac SRX plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was in some pipeline somewhere, and that it would eventually plop into some sort of consumer reality. The same outlet that reported that story, Reuters, now cites six GM Deep Throats as saying General Motors has killed the SRX PHEV program.

Overlapping timetables were apparently the problem - by the time the vehicle was ready, the Theta platform that supports it would be at the end of its life. And it didn't help that the SRX PHEV was expected to lose money. That made GM's decision to cancel it, in spite of having spent money to develop the powertrain for three different vehicles so far, a little easier. On top of that, the program was never officially made public, so it's not like GM has anything to apologize for.

The suggestion in the Reuters report, though, is that GM isn't walking away from it altogether. A spokesman said, "I'm not going to comment on specific products or timing for applications, but we still see promise in the technology," and it is known that GM CEO Dan Akerson wants to get Chevrolet Volt range-extending tech into other models, pronto. But after Saturn, Buick and Cadillac haven't made the cut, what's next?

Cadillac SRX PHEV not gonna happen after all originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Cadillac, GM

Cadillac has officially announced a host of changes for the 2012 SRX crossover, including a new standard engine - General Motors' 3.6-liter direct-injected V6. This powerplant will serve as the only available engine on the SRX here in the United States, replacing both the base 3.0-liter V6 and 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that was axed earlier this year.

Under the hood of the 2012 SRX, the 3.6-liter mill produces 300 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque - increases of 35 hp and 37 lb-ft over the anemic 3.0-liter engine that served as the base engine when the SRX was refreshed for the 2010 model year. The new V6 offers the same amount of horsepower as the discontinued 2.8-liter turbocharged unit, though it's down on torque by 35 lb-ft.

In addition to its new heart, the 2012 SRX will offer standard Bluetooth connectivity on all models, and a standard heated steering wheel on luxury, performance and premium trims. Additionally, performance and premium trim levels get a new 20-inch wheel option. Pricing will be announced in a few months when the 2012 SRX officially starts production. GM's official press blast is available after the jump.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features

2012 Cadillac SRX gains more powerful 3.6-liter engine, new features originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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