Cadillac
2010 Cadillac SRX
Written by admin on Thursday, May 12, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Cadillac Tags: 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Cadillac SRX News, 2010 Cadillac SRX Pictures, 2010 Cadillac SRX Specification, Cadillac SRX
The 2010 SRX is designed for efficient performance, including the choice of two high-tech six-cylinder engines that are new to Cadillac – the smallest-displacement engines it offers in North America. A new, 3.0L direct injected V-6 engine is standard and a new, 2.8L turbocharged V-6 is optional. Both engines employ technology that helps produce strong performance that is typical of larger-displacement engines.
Direct injection enables a 25-percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. Fuel economy in the mid-20s on the highway is expected, but testing isn’t complete. Performance and safety are enhanced by an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that is designed to optimize vehicle handling and stability in all driving conditions.
The AWD system includes an advanced electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that distributes torque as needed from side to side along the rear axle, as well as from the front to rear axle. The pre-emptive, active-on-demand system provides an extra measure of capability in wet or icy conditions. The 2010 SRX rides on a wide track that was designed to deliver a nimble, responsive driving experience. It seats five, with generous occupant and cargo room, and can tow up to 3,500 pounds (1,587 kg).
Price: $33,330 – 39,400.
Invoice: $31,330 – 37,040.
Design and Craftsmanship
‘Cadillac is known for bold design. The 2010 SRX Crossover builds on that reputation. As with the 2008 CTS, we advanced our Art and Science design to create a crossover for style-conscious customers. The exterior features a dramatic diving gesture on the body side to impart the feeling of movement, even at rest.’ A multi-piece shield grille and Cadillac’s iconic vertical headlamps – with light pipe technology and available adaptive forward lighting – are the face of the SRX. They blend into a tightly wrapped, sweeping body that tapers downward at the rear, giving the vehicle a sporty profile, Dean said.
The SRX features a wide stance, minimal overhang and wheels pushed to corners. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard and 20-inch wheels are offered. A bold accent line dives across the body side and culminates at a chrome front fender vent that incorporates a side marker lamp. An integrated spoiler on the rearward edge of the roof extends the sleek lines and improves aerodynamics.
Inside the new SRX, technical precision blends with old-world craftsmanship. Hand-cut-and-sewn coverings on the instrument panel and ambient lighting details convey a finely tailored cabin. An integrated center stack houses controls for climate and audio systems, while the navigation system rises from the center of the instrument panel. A signature example of the SRX’s attention to detail is the Cadillac script logos in the front door sill plates that illuminate when the doors are opened.
Technology and Entertainment System
The 2010 SRX features numerous advanced electronic systems. Highlights include a ‘pop-up’ navigation screen with three-dimensional imaging; adaptive forward lighting that swivels the headlamps in synch with vehicle steering; power liftgate with adjustable height setting; integrated hard disc drive for audio storage and a dual-screen system for rear entertainment. Bluetooth compatibility is standard, as is OnStar’s turn-by-turn navigation service for buyers who do not select the car’s navigation system option.
Performance
The SRX is powered by a new, fuel-efficient direct injected 3.0L V-6 that delivers an estimated 260 horsepower (193 kW) and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Direct injection results in more power, better fuel economy and lower emissions, all will a smaller-displacement package. As a result, the new V-6 engine is expected to raise the SRX’s standard power rating by 5 horsepower, while achieving an estimated 10-15-percent fuel economy improvement.
The 3.0L direct injection V-6 is a smaller-displacement version of the 3.6L, direct injection engine featured in the CTS sport sedan and named one of the world’s 10 Best Engines for 2009 by Ward’s Automotive. Along with direct injection technology, the 3.0L engine employs variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
The Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission helps save fuel by lowering the engine’s rpm at constant highway speeds, while manual shift control enables greater driver interaction when desired. The new SRX includes a driver-selectable ‘eco mode’ that alters transmission shift points to maximize fuel economy.
‘The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather. The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface.’
Traction control is taken a step further on AWD models with the rear eLSD. In icy or wet conditions, the system can transfer up to 100 percent of torque to the wheel that has more grip. The eLSD also gives the driver enhanced control when cornering hard or completing a high-speed maneuver, such as a lane change, by momentarily applying more or less torque to either of the wheels to help the rear of the vehicle more closely follow the direction of the front wheels. The suspension includes a real-time damping system in conjunction with AWD that adjusts shock damping rates in response to road conditions for a smooth ride quality.
Safety
SRX’s safety features are designed to protect occupants before, during and after a crash. A strong body structure and chassis that absorbs crash energy is complemented by the use of martensitic steel in the fully enclosed rocker sections. Martensitic steel is one of the strongest available and its use in the rockers helps protect against intrusion during a side-impact crash, while also maintaining the structure during front and rear crashes.
Additional safety features include standard head curtain side air bags, standard front seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags, front safety belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, rollover mitigation sensors, a pedal release system, trailer stability assist and OnStar. The SRX was also designed to meet European pedestrian protection standards; and the front bumper is positioned for greater compatibility with car bumpers.
2010 Cadillac Escalade
Written by admin on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Cadillac Tags: 2010 Cadillac Escalade, 2010 Cadillac Escalade News, 2010 Cadillac Escalade Pictures, 2010 Cadillac Escalade Specification, 2010 Escalade
The 2010 Cadillac Escalade’s 6.2-liter V8 now comes with GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. Otherwise, this premium-large SUV is largely unchanged. Escalade is basically an upscale version of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. It’s available as a wagon in standard trim or a long-wheelbase ESV. The Escalade EXT is a crew-cab pickup truck that’s similar in design to the Chevrolet Avalanche. EXTs have a folding “midgate” separating the cab from the cargo bed. Standard-length and ESV wagons seat 7 in a 2-2-3 layout, or they seat 8 with an optional 3-person 2nd-row bench seat.
The top-line Platinum Edition package reprises specific trim and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The uprated suspension is standard on the gas/electric Hybrid model and optional on other Escalades. Wagons are available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. EXTs are AWD only. All non-hybrid models have a 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine can run on gasoline or E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Maximum towing capacity is 8,300 pounds.
The 2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is a standard-length wagon with rear- or AWD. Like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon hybrids, Escalade uses a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 engine paired with an electric motor for 332 horsepower. Hybrids can tow up to 5,800 pounds. The hybrid system allows Escalade to run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging is necessary.
It has a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic. Available safety features for all Escalades include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. Leather upholstery, a power tilt steering column, navigation system, and power-adjustable pedals are standard. Blind-spot alert and a DVD-entertainment system are available.
Price: $61,425 – 75,975.
Invoice: $57,425 – 71,035.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
For 2010, the full-size Cadillac Escalade SUV is offered in four different trim levels. Even entry-level models are very well-equipped, with 18-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers, xenon headlamps, an auto-dimming driver-side mirror, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors and fixed running boards. Interior goodies include triple-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated 14-way power front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, power-adjustable pedals, remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone connectivity, OnStar, a Bose surround-sound audio system with a six-disc CD/DVD changer, and a navigation system with real-time traffic updates and a built-in rearview camera.
Step up to the Luxury model and you get hardware upgrades including 22-inch chrome alloy wheels, a more sophisticated adaptive suspension (Magnetic Ride Control), auto-dimming high-beam headlights and a sunroof. Inside you’ll find heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-release feature for second-row seats and a blind-spot warning system.
The Premium trim level adds power-retractable running boards and a rear-seat DVD video entertainment system with a ceiling-mounted screen. Top-of-the-line Platinum versions throw in all the bells and whistles including LED headlights, heated and cooled cupholders and a DVD entertainment system with dual screens mounted in the front seat headrests. The short list of available options includes different styles of 22-inch alloy wheels, a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat and the rear-seat DVD video system with the overhead screen (Luxury model only).
Interior Design and Special Features
Considering its working-class roots, the Escalade has come a long way over the past decade. The passenger cabin now features a noticeably more upscale look and luxurious feel set off by supple leather upholstery and attractive faux wood and alloy trim. Gauges and controls are well-placed and intuitive in their operation. In its standard seven-passenger configuration, the big Caddy features second-row captain’s chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat. Adding the available second-row bench raises total seating capacity to eight.
That 50/50-split third-row seat is actually the interior’s most significant weakness, given its distinct lack of legroom and the fact that it doesn’t fold neatly into the floor as in most other SUVs. Instead, owners looking to carry bulky items are forced to either make do with folding and tumbling the entire assembly forward, which eats up precious cargo space, or face the hassle of removing one or both very heavy sections of the seat entirely. If you choose to lose the third-row seat, however, you’ll end up with a cavernous 60.3 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second-row seats. Fold those second-row seats down and the cargo capacity grows to an impressive 108.9 cubic feet.
Powertrains and Performance
Power for the 2010 Cadillac Escalade comes from a 6.2-liter V8 that puts out an impressive 403 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift feature is standard. The only real choice when it comes to the big Caddy’s powertrain is between the standard rear-wheel and available all-wheel drive (though a hybrid model is addressed in a separate review).
Given the fact that the Escalade wasn’t really designed for off-roading, the all-wheel-drive system lacks a low-range transfer case and features a default 40/60 front-to-rear power split that’s mainly intended to provide added peace of mind when road conditions turn ugly. The all-wheel-drive version we tested took just 7.5 seconds to go from zero to 60 mph, a relatively impressive number for a vehicle this size.
New cylinder-deactivation technology that seamlessly shuts down and restarts half the engine’s cylinders to save fuel is now standard. EPA estimates stand at 14 mpg city/20 highway for the 2WD Escalade, slightly higher than the 2009 Escalade. Properly equipped, two-wheel-drive versions can tow a healthy 8,300 pounds.
Driving Impressions
On the road, the 2010 Cadillac Escalade delivers surprisingly good acceleration at all speeds thanks to that big 403-hp V8. Handling feels confident, especially with the Magnetic Ride Control suspension, though you’ll never mistake this for a sport-tuned SUV like the Porsche Cayenne. You will appreciate the ride quality, though, as it remains comfortable even with the larger 22-inch wheels. A relatively tight 39-foot turning circle helps with overall drivability, but maneuvering in tight quarters can be a hassle even with the aid of the standard rearview camera.
Safety
Standard safety features on the Escalade include electronic stability control, antilock disc brakes, traction control, front side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags that cover all three rows and the OnStar telematics system. In government crash tests, last year’s Escalade earned a top five-star rating for crash protection in frontal and side-impact protection. Braking distances are disappointing, though, with the Escalade we tested requiring 144 feet to come to a complete stop from 60 mph, a significant 17 feet more than the Mercedes-Benz GL450.
2009 Cadillac SRX
Written by admin on Monday, March 21, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Cadillac Tags: 2009 Cadillac SRX, 2009 Cadillac SRX News, 2009 Cadillac SRX Pictures, 2009 Cadillac SRX Specification, 2009 SRX
The acclaimed Cadillac SRX crossover continues to offer one of the §egmènt’s most satisfying combinations of sports sedan-like driving character and SÚV spaciousness. It delivers these attributes with the dramatic design, technology and craftsmanship that are driving Cadillac’s ongoing renaissance.
For 2009, the SRX crossover maintains its distinctively styled exterior and luxurious interior. Performance is derived from either a 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing or a powerful 4.6L Northstar V-8 that is renowned for its power and smoothness. The ’09 SRX also features the popular Adaptive Remote Start system, which starts the engine, can adjust cabin temperature to personal preferences, engage the defrosters and activate the available heated seats from up to 200 feet away.
Price: $40,060 – 47,060.
Invoice: $37,455 – 44,000.
Design
The SRX is instantly recognizable as a Cadillac and yet is unlike anything else on the road. The family resemblance to CTS and Escalade is immediately evident; its Cadillac bloodline shows through in its chiseled vertical taillamps and headlamps and V-shaped grille. At the same time, it clearly stands out from its European and Japanese competitors. A range of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels gives the SRX a decidedly sporty appearance that is augmented by a wide, confident stance. The performance-oriented aesthetic is reinforced by sleek bodywork that is wrapped over the wheels for a tailored, well-crafted look.
The SRX has the largest sunroof system available in the §egmènt. The optional ÚltraView sunroof provides the fun of an open-air driving experience. It extends to provide 5.6 square feet (0.52 square meters) of open air over the first- and second-row seats and integrates a retractable power shade.
Interior
SRX seats up to seven passengers when equipped with the optional third-row seat. The second-row seat provides a generous 41 inches (104 cm) of legroom and folds virtually flat. The available third-row seat power-folds into the floor at the push of a button and it also feature cupholders. A power liftgate is standard.
The instrument panel and door trim are built using Cadillac’s ‘cut-and-sew’ interior process that combines advanced technology with the hand-rendered expertise of expert craftsmen. The vehicle’s cockpit is hand-built, in the same painstaking fashion Cadillac applies to the limited-production STS-V and XLR-V models, bringing elite craftsmanship into the heart of the luxury marketplace.
In addition to numerous storage areas, an optional rear cargo management system, available as an alternative to the third-row seat, offers three cargo compartments and includes a removable storage bin. It’s perfect for stowing anything from a car care or emergency kit to sports equipment to DVDs or CDs for a long drive. For still more cargo packing, large side storage bins along the rear cargo area are standard.
Standard amenities include dual-zone climate control; auto-dimming inside mirror with compass and OnStar controls; eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat; §teering wheel controls for the audio, cruise control and climate systems; and leather seating surfaces. Heated seats and rear air conditioning are available. CD stereo and premium Bose eight-speaker sound system; a Bose 5.1 Digital Surround system is available. Also available is a ‘theater’ package consisting of Bose 5.1 Digital Surround, DVD navigation and rear-seat DVD entertainment.
Engines
The SRX features two engine combinations: the 4.6L Northstar V-8 VVT (variable valve timing) or the 3.6L V-6 VVT. Both are available in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. The sophisticated and technically advanced V-8 engine generates 320 horsepower (239 kW) at 6400 rpm and 315 lb.-ft. of torque (427 Nm) at 4400 rpm. It features electronic throttle control, multi-port injection, aluminum block and cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft and phasers on all four camshafts to control valve timing throughout the entire operating range.
The 3.6L V-6 VVT makes 255 horsepower (190 kW) at 6500 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque (344 Nm) at 2800 rpm. The all-aluminum, 60-degree four cam 24-valve powerplant features fully variable valve timing of the intake and exhaust valves, a dual-stage variable intake manifold, electronic throttle control, multi-port fuel injection, two-stage roller chain cam drive, aluminum block and cylinder heads and a forged steel crankshaft.
Transmissions
The 6L50 Hydra-Matic six-speed electronically controlled transmission is standard on RWD and AWD versions of the V-8, and provides increased performance and fuel efficiency. It features a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that delivers strong launch acceleration yet provides ‘tall’ overdrive ratios that decrease engine rpm to enhance fuel economy and reduce noise while cruising. Estimates by GM engineers have shown a nearly 7-percent improvement in 0-60 mph times and up to a 4-percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
The V-6 engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 5L40, a fully electronic five-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The 5L40 features an innovative dual-plate torque converter and a separate, highly refined transmission control module with expanded power and memory. The 5L40 transmission features Driver Shift Control (with clutchless manual shifting), electronically controlled engine braking and downgrade detection with brake assist. The V-6 AWD model features a 50/50 torque split, providing a distribution of torque consistent with the vehicle’s weight distribution for better handling and traction.
Ride and handling
The Cadillac-exclusive architecture features the longest wheelbase in its class and helps provide superior ride quality and dynamic stability. A near 50-50 weight distribution, low center of gravity, outstanding powertrain combinations and GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system help SRX deliver a fine balance between sports car performance and refined ride quality. StabiliTrak is a fully electronic system that coordinates subsystems such as braking, suspension, §teering, traction control and powertrain controls to optimize overall vehicle stability and control.
It acts instantaneously to reduce the likelihood of spins and excessive oversteer or understeer by improving handling performance and enhancing vehicle stability when the car approaches its limits. It helps correct a potential slide or loss of control before the driver is aware of it. Magnetic Ride Control, pioneered by Cadillac in 2003, provides state-of-the-art, continuously variable real-time damping at each wheel independently and is available on V-8 models.
Safety
Designed to offer excellent occupant safety and crash management, the SRX’s safety story starts with its robust body structure. It uses high-strength steel in key areas to help uphold the integrity of the passenger compartment in the event of a crash. Carefully designed crumble zones at the front and rear also absorb much of the energy of a crash.
OnStar-equipped SRX models feature OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, a fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers’ vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle’s stereo as needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. New for 2009 is Turn-by-Turn’s eNav feature that allows the MapQuest directions to be sent directly to the vehicle.
2009 Cadillac CTS
Written by admin on Thursday, March 03, 2011 | No Comments
Categories: Cadillac Tags: 2009 Cadillac CTS, 2009 Cadillac CTS News, 2009 Cadillac CTS Pictures, 2009 Cadillac CTS Specification, Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS enters 2009 riding a wave of acclaim from critics and consumers. The 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, Cadillac’s sports sedan may be entering the elite class of the auto world’s most desired cars, thanks to a remarkable blend of dramatic design, technology and craftsmanship. CTS sales are rising sharply, with monthly sales increases consistently exceeding 50 percent. In 2009, the top of the CTS range expands with the heavily anticipated introduction of CTS-V, the 550-horsepower (410 kW) model representing Cadillac’s ultimate expression of performance and luxury.
‘CTS is earning the acclaim of luxury buyers, the most discerning critics,’ said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. ‘It has earned a position as one of the premier luxury sports sedans, further strengthening Cadillac’s historic resurgence into the top tier of global luxury brands.’ The redesigned CTS has also been lauded for its safety. Features such as a robust body structure that helps absorb crash energy and six standard air bags – including a §egmènt-first dual depth passenger frontal air bag, active headrests and head curtain side air bags – helped it earn a Top Safety Pick recognition by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Price: $35,900 – 40,100.
Invoice: $33,570 – 37,500.
Design
At a glance, there is no mistaking the CTS for anything but a contemporary Cadillac. Signature exterior cues include vertically oriented ‘light pipes,’ horizontal spline lines and a dihedral-shaped hood. It also strikes a sporting stance, with a wide track, communicating a dramatic presence unlike most traditional luxury sedans and the car’s performance capabilities
CTS’ athletic form is characterized by sculpted fenders. They feature side air extractors that recall a styling element from Cadillac’s Sixteen concept car; and an ÚltraView ‘double’ sunroof is available, spanning both the front and rear seats. Seven-spoke, 17-inch wheels or available nine-spoke, 18-inch wheels surround the CTS’ high-performance brake calipers and rotors. Both painted and machined finishes are available for the standard 17-inch wheels. The larger, 18-inch wheels are available in a premium multicoat finish or a high-polish finish.
Powertrains
Direct injection technology helps the CTS offer more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. It delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion. This means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions created. With the CTS’ 3.6L V-6, this translates to 304 horsepower (227 kW),* no loss of fuel efficiency and a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.
The standard 3.6L VVT engine that produces 263 horsepower (196 kW) and 253 lb.-ft (343 Nm) of torque serves as the base engine in North America and is available in rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts. The 2.8L VVT engine is available only on rear-drive models of the CTS offered outside the Ú.S. It is an all-aluminum, 60-degree DOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder engine that develops 211 horsepower (157 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 182 lb.-ft. (247 Nm) of torque at 3,600 rpm.
All CTS engines are matched with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions, including an Aisin six-speed manual or an electronically controlled Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic. The Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic features driver shift control, which enables on-demand clutch-less manual shifts. On vehicles equipped with AWD, the 6L50 is partnered with an active transfer case that automatically transfers torque from the rear to the front of the vehicle for optimal traction, safety and performance. The AWD system’s default setting is a 40/60 torque split, but as the conditions merit, all of the torque can be applied to either axle. A limited-slip differential also is available.
Interior
The CTS’ interior emphasizes technical precision with elegant, hand-crafted details. Analog instrumentation is streamlined and defined by bright accents. An integrated center stack design, with either a satin metallic finish or genuine Sapele Pommele wood, blends into the lower instrument panel that sweeps forward and away of front-seat occupants. The hand-assembled center console leads seamlessly into the center stack, providing a sportier ‘cockpit’ feel for the driver and passenger without compromising space.
Available heated and ventilated seats incorporate ‘thin-seat’ technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. French stitching is used throughout the interior, including the upper instrument panel, door inserts, seats and the shifter boot. The leather-wrapped §teering wheel includes standard integrated controls for cruise and audio system. Clean, white ambient light emitting diode (LED) accent lighting is available, positioned in the door pulls, foot wells and recessed between the upper and lower instrument panels. The result is a dramatic effect similar to recessed lighting used in contemporary homes.
Driving Dynamics
The CTS chassis enables a great balance of performance and luxury. The hardware includes structural enhancements via a tower-to-tower brace; large, four-wheel disc brakes and premium §teering. Three suspension tuning levels are available: FE1 with 17-inch wheels; FE2 with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires and the performance-oriented FE3, with 18-inch summer performance tires. For 2009, the highly capable Summer Performance package receives a major new addition, as §teering wheel-mounted shifters for the six-speed automatic transmission are included.
The CTS uses ann independent short/long arm ( SLA) front suspension system. Its performance characteristics are optimized with the use of aluminum for the upper and lower control arms, as well as the knuckles, reducing overall mass. Hydraulic control arm front bushings are used for motion control and help minimize high-speed road vibration by damping energy transmitted through the vehicle structure. Also, hollow front stabilizer bars bring weight savings and are sized specifically to each of the three available suspension levels.
A multi-link rear suspension, with a fully isolated subframe, delivers excellent suspension kinematics that contributes to a superior ride with excellent handling. It provides maximum tuning flexibility so that the suspension can be tuned to react in a predetermined manner, such as during high-lateral cornering forces, where the rear wheels will respond with the correct camber and toe to avoid rapid destabilizing changes. The CTS features advanced chassis technology in the form of Cadillac’s StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system. It integrates the car’s standard four-channel ABS with the full-function traction control, hydraulic brake assist and engine drag control systems.
Craftsmanship and Quietness
Every CTS features Cadillac’s ‘cut-and-sew’ interior process that combines advanced technology with the hand-rendered precision of expert craftsmen. Coverings for components such as the instrument panel, center console and door trim are cut, sewn and wrapped by hand. This enables details such as decorative French stitching and the near elimination of gaps and seams, for a superbly tailored appearance.
Quietness is another measure of CTS’ craftsmanship. Detailed analysis of sound and vibration was lavished on the CTS during its development. This reduced overall cabin noise via improved body sealing and sound insulation. It also focused on tuning the quality of the remaining sound. A perforated pattern, for example, has been added to the inside of the tailpipes to increase resonance, adding more pleasing, low-frequency sounds to counteract high-frequency noise.
On the exterior, quieting elements and manufacturing techniques include an innovative laser brazing process that affixes the roof panel more crisply; installing the windshield glass without visible rubber seals and joints; and triple-sealed doors.
Safety
As with other Cadillac models, the 2009 CTS comes standard with OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers’ vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle’s stereo as needed, triggered by the OnStar system’s GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
