GM Reveals 2013 Cadillac SRX

[FenwickHockey65]

Cadillac Enhances Technology and Design on 2013 SRX
General Motors

April 2, 2012

NEW YORK – Cadillac introduces technology and design enhancements to the SRX luxury crossover SUV this week at the New York International Auto Show. Among the new features for 2013 is CUE, the in-vehicle user experience that incorporates touch-screen controls similar to the most popular mobile devices.

The 2013 SRX’s enhanced technology also contributes to safety, with Cadillac’s new Driver Awareness and Driver Assist technology packages. Their features include Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat technology, Automatic Front and Rear Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control and more, using radar and other technologies to help avoid collisions.

Interior and exterior design updates further distinguish the 2013 SRX, while active noise cancelation technology helps provide a quieter driving experience. It goes on sale this fall.

“The 2013 SRX illustrates the Cadillac philosophy of never leaving well enough alone,” said Don Butler, vice president of marketing for Cadillac. “The enhancements for the SRX – including CUE – are examples of how we’re developing advanced technologies and pushing them consistently through the Cadillac portfolio. They are also some of the key elements of the all-new XTS luxury sedan and ATS compact sedan, which will expand the Cadillac portfolio this summer.”

Since its redesign in 2009, the SRX has established a strong visual signature for Cadillac in the luxury crossover segment. The 2013 SRX refines that appearance with a new design for the front upper and lower grilles that conveys greater depth and the brand’s attention to detail. The front fender vents are new and incorporate LED light pipes.

Three new exterior colors are offered: Evolution Green Metallic, Glacier Blue Metallic and Silver Coast Metallic. Also new is the SRX’s range of 20-inch wheel designs, including new chrome and polished aluminum wheels for the Performance and Premium Collections – the top two option packages.

The SRX is offered in FWD and Advanced AWD models, each powered by a 3.6L Direct Injection V-6 that was added for 2012. It is rated an SAE-certified 308 horsepower (230 kW) and 265 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm).

Cadillac CUE

Cadillac CUE (Cadillac User Experience) is standard on the 2013 SRX. It is the brand’s new design and technical breakthrough for intuitive in-vehicle control and connectivity.

CUE pairs entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons. The comprehensive, in-vehicle experience is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”

The heart of CUE is the vibrant, eight-inch LCD multi-touch sensitive screen – with proximity sensing and haptic feedback – that is seamlessly integrated in the top of the central instrument panel. It displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen, with large, easy-to-target icons that execute commands. Capacitive technology on the screen and faceplate enables consumers to use the same “swipe,” “pinch” or “spread” gestures common to most popular smartphones and tablets.

A motorized faceplate for the system reveals a concealed storage area for smartphones or other mobile devices and includes an illuminated USB port.

Interior enhancements

CUE is the foundation for the 2013 SRX’s enhanced driving experience and is complemented with additional features and design refinements:

• Standard HD radio
• Bluetooth audio streaming is available for all collections
• A USB port in the storage bin behind the CUE faceplate
• The center console now features two additional USB ports, an SD card slot auxiliary input jack and 12-volt power outlet
• New headphone and remote design for the rear-seat entertainment system, which also includes a rear USB port and SD card slot
• New shift knob design
• New steering wheel design
• New instrument cluster with new driver information center for CUE integration.

Active noise cancelation is new for 2013 and helps create a quieter driving experience. The system uses microphones to detect ambient noise, the frequencies of which are processed by a computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system to tailor the sound quality and character inside the cabin.

A new Light Titanium interior color combination is added and matched with a new Raven Sapele wood color accent.

Popular interior features returning for 2013 include keyless access, ambient lighting, power-adjustable pedals, heated front and rear outboard seats, heated steering wheel and the UltraView power sunroof.

‘Control and alert’ safety features

SRX is the latest to incorporate Cadillac’s “control and alert” strategy that employs advanced technologies – including radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors – to help prevent crashes. The safety features are part of Cadillac’s new Driver Awareness and Driver Assist technology packages.

The advanced technologies bolster driver vision and awareness of road hazards, intervening to help the driver avert potential collisions. In some cases, Cadillac’s crash-avoidance systems will act without the driver, such as automatic braking, which activates based on information indicating potential hazards.

Radar-based adaptive cruise control and front and rear automatic braking are available. Front and rear automatic braking relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver prevent front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary. Additional advanced safety features offered on the 2013 SRX’s Driver Awareness and Driver Assist packages include:

• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Vision Camera With Dynamic Guidelines
• Safety Alert Seat.

Side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert are standard. Each uses radar to detect vehicles that may be out of the driver’s vision, providing visual alerts in the outside mirrors and, in the case of rear cross traffic alert, audible warnings. StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with traction control, and four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS are also standard, along with:

• Dual-stage frontal and side-impact driver and right-front passenger air bags.
• Head-curtain side-impact air bags.
• Rollover mitigation sensors.
• Front safety belt pretensioners and load limiters.

The SRX is also designed to meet European pedestrian protection standards, with the front bumper positioned for greater compatibility with car bumpers.

Photography

[The_Blur]

It's awesome as always. I love the technology.

[IBM]

Not loving that new grille.

[John@AutoAgenda]

Kind of looks pretty much the same as this generation really. Would love to see one lowered on a set of proper rims.

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by John@AutoAgenda

Kind of looks pretty much the same as this generation really.

Besides a couple of small trim changes it is. The SRX is a very nice ride though.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by John@AutoAgenda

Kind of looks pretty much the same as this generation really. Would love to see one lowered on a set of proper rims.

Probably because its just a refresh of the current generation, not a full-on next-gen redesign

[Captain Awesome]

I believe this is another one of those sideways engine toy AWD tall station wagons that GM thinks they have to sell (or were coerced into selling).

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

I believe this is another one of those sideways engine toy AWD tall station wagons that GM thinks they have to sell (or were coerced into selling).

Nope just the number 1 selling Cadillac.

[IBM]

Does anyone agree that grille looks awful?

[FenwickHockey65]

I actually like the new grille. I felt the old one seemed unfinished.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

I believe this is another one of those sideways engine toy AWD tall station wagons that GM thinks they have to sell (or were coerced into selling).

Yep, they were coerced ... by about 55k people that decide to pay something like $40,000 to $50,000 for a brand new SRX each year. How silly of them to be tricked so easily ...

BTW ... care to guess what 2012 model is the slowest seller at Cadillac? I'll give you some hints ... they weigh about 3 tons, can tow about 4 tons, and the name starts and ends with 'E'

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Nope just the number 1 selling Cadillac.

I barely squeaks by the CTS by <2% and you think that makes it a success?

This generation sold <15% of what the TrailBlazer sold in the same amount of time. (Not counting the other SUVs on that platform).

It also has yet to match the yearly sales of the Escalade from 2003-2007, proving that even luxury owners prefer a real SUV.

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Yep, they were coerced ... by about 55k people that decide to pay something like $40,000 to $50,000 for a brand new SRX each year. How silly of them to be tricked so easily ...

BTW ... care to guess what 2012 model is the slowest seller at Cadillac? I'll give you some hints ... they weigh about 3 tons, can tow about 4 tons, and the name starts and ends with 'E'

You guys just don't get it. When a bunch of clowns run around telling everyone that fossil fuel is a "bad habit" and then punishing people for using it, the folks are naturally going to migrate down a path that promises no punishment, even if it is less desireable in other ways.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

I barely squeaks by the CTS by <2% and you think that makes it a success?

This generation sold <15% of what the TrailBlazer sold in the same amount of time. (Not counting the other SUVs on that platform).

It also has yet to match the yearly sales of the Escalade from 2003-2007, proving that even luxury owners prefer a real SUV.

However, the Escalade is being outsold about 3 units to 1 today by the SRX. According to your own logic that would be proof that luxury owners prefer crossovers to SUV's, wouldn't it?

And did you seriously compare the sales of a Chevy to a Cadillac, from a time when the US car market was about 30% bigger, credit was easy, and jobs were reasonably plentiful and secure to ... well, now?

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

You guys just don't get it. When a bunch of clowns run around telling everyone that fossil fuel is a "bad habit" and then punishing people for using it, the folks are naturally going to migrate down a path that promises no punishment, even if it is less desireable in other ways.

What exactly is so great about a body on frame SUV when you a) never go off road; b) never tow anything; c) never haul anything (besides the family)?

Most people who bought SUV's at their peak of popularity didn't really use them as SUV's. Mainly, they liked the size, they liked the look. They didn't like the gas mileage (even at $2.50/gal they didn't like it ... let alone 4 or 5 bucks) and weren't overly happy with the truck-like ride and handling of them either. So, when there are alternative packages that provide comparable interior volume, with the same truck-like appearance, with only a small penalty in fuel economy and handling compared to a large sedan -people will want them. They actually make more sense for these buyers than SUVs. They are better than SUVs for the vast majority of buyers.