Cadillac unveils first-ever 2017 XT5
Cadillac crossovers bearing the new ‘XT’ designation are a key aspect of the brand’s product-driven global growth plan
DUBAI: Cadillac unveiled the first-ever 2017 XT5, a comprehensively upgraded luxury crossover and the cornerstone of a new series of crossovers in the brand’s ongoing expansion.
Cadillac crossovers bearing the new ‘ XT’ designation are a key aspect of the brand’s product-driven global growth plan, says a press release.
“The all-new XT5 not only enters the most popular segment in the worldwide luxury auto market, it is the first in a series of four new crossovers from Cadillac,” said Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac president. “It’s pivotal to our ongoing growth, which is why we’ve developed XT5 from the inside-out to provide customers more space, more technology, luxury and efficiency.”
“The new luxury crossover joins Cadillac’s lineup immediately following the new range-topping CT6 sedan, as the brand enters a new phase of product growth. The XT5 is the next chapter in elevating the Cadillac brand: It is bold, distinctive, sophisticated with superb driving dynamics. This new crossover perfectly reflects Cadillac’s positioning in the luxury automotive marketplace,” de Nysschen said.
Lightweight chassis
The Cadillac XT5 is completely new, residing on a unique chassis and structure. Cadillac’s new crossover embodies the brand’s expertise for lightweight and agile driving dynamics. The new XT5 is 126kg lighter than its predecessor is.
Cadillac offers most of the improved interior space to the passengers. Rear-seat legroom is increased 8.1 cm in the XT5, compared to its predecessor. The rear seat both reclines and slides fore and aft as well.
This was achieved using many of the techniques applied on the Cadillac CTS and ATS sport sedans – which are among the lightest cars in their respective segments. This includes the use of laser welding, ultra high-strength steel and advanced analytics that ensure a stronger structure, excellent crash performance, yet less overall bulk.
“The new XT5 takes the lessons learned from Cadillac’s highly acclaimed lightweight and agile luxury cars and adjusts the formula for the unique desires of the crossover vehicle customer,” said David Leone, Cadillac executive chief engineer. “Reducing mass and bulk not only improves driving dynamics, it enables us to improve interior space and fuel efficiency.”
Interior design
The first-ever XT5 brings a new level of sophistication that showcases Cadillac’s evolving design language, which recently made its debut on the CT6 sedan. The XT5 has a strong visual presence with proportions that convey the driving experience and the lightweight construction underneath the sur- face. There is a lean, taut, liquid quality to the surfaces with flowing, uninterrupted lines separated by crisp edges.
“The XT5 has a great stance, with wheels further to the corners and overhangs reduced,” said Andrew Smith, Cadillac executive director of global design. “Our team continues to evolve the design language of Cadillac.”
The new XT5’s interior showcases a new design direction based on a philosophy of clean, modern elegance and craftsmanship.
“We believe that luxury crossover customers particularly focus on interior design and materials,” said Smith. “This is a new design direction for Cadillac predicated on modern craftsmanship and the artistic integration of technology.”
Interior surfaces inside the XT5 are wider and more horizontal in orientation, emphasising spaceefficiency. Like all Cadillac models, the interior is assembled with cut-and-sewn wrapped panels, rather than a reliance on the molded surfaces that dominate mainstream vehicles.
“Our focus for the interior was sophistication and simplicity, ensuring an economy of lines to reduce visual noise and clutter,” Smith said. “A feeling of space is the ultimate luxury, so we sought to emphasise that. We also use a greater variety of authentic materials and palette of colours to deliver expressive interiors in all trim levels.”
Cadillac will offer a Platinum edition for the first time in this segment. Made popular initially on Cadillac’s Escalade, the XT5 Platinum includes unique interior and exterior trim and materials and combines them with the highest technology features. In total, the XT5 includes five interior colour and trim choices, with decorative trim options ranging from carbon fibre to two types of aluminium and four types of genuine wood.
Powertrain
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 is powered by the new 3.6-litre V6 engine, which also features on the CT6. This engine has been completely redesigned and features Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology, which allows the engine to seamlessly and automatically switch to a fuel-saving 4-cylinder mode under low or moderate loads.
With an estimated peak output of 310 horsepower and 366Nm of torque, the new V6 utilises variable valve timing for strong response and smooth power delivery. Cadillac’s new Stop/Start technology automatically stop and start the engine when the vehicle is at rest in traffic stops, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
A new 8-speed automatic transmission is standard for the XT5. The XT5 also debuts Electronic Precision Shift – the first elec- tronically controlled transmission shifter for a Cadillac. Electronic Precision Shift reduces noise and vibration, and it allows the cabin space to be further utilised with an innovative storage space beneath the centre console.
A new advanced ‘ twin clutch’ all-wheel drive system continuously and automatically delivers excellent traction across a variety of conditions. While engineered specifically for strong performance in wet, snowy or icy conditions, it also provides enhanced stability in dry weather.
Due to the twin clutch design, the AWD system is capable of transferring up to 100 percent of available torque to either the front or rear axle. Across the rear axle, the electronically controlled rear differential can also direct up to 100 percent of available torque to either wheel laterally.
This capability is designed for ‘split-coefficient’ surfaces, such as the common occurrence when water, ice or snow is more prevalent on one side of the road surface than the other.
The driving experience of the all-new Cadillac XT5 benefits from the aforementioned lighter weight, longer wheelbase and wider track, improving the vehicle’s stance, balance and agility. Added to that is a new chassis system featuring lightweight components designed to deliver smooth ride quality with improved dynamic handling.
The lightweight structure of the XT5 is stiffer and stronger than SRX due to the use of improved materials and advanced design methods. A diagonal ‘ A-frame’ front chassis brace in the underbody was strategically added to provide more solid driver feel and stiffness for the vehicle in turns.
On XT5 entry and luxury trims, 18-inch wheels are standard and Premium Luxury and Platinum trim come with 20-inch wheels.
Technology systems
The first-ever XT5 includes Cadillac’s latest production systems in the areas of connectivity and safety. Cadillac’s patented new industry-leading Rear Camera Mirror system debuts on the CT6 and the XT5. The system enhances the driver’s rear vision by 300 percent, using a video display applied over the conventional inside rearview mirror. A high dynamic range camera records images behind the car in a much wider, streams the image to video processing software that “removes” obstacles such as the roof, rear pillars and rear seat passengers, projecting an unobstructed view to an LCD display.
The Cadillac CUE system for connectivity and control has been upgraded for the XT5, with a faster and more powerful processor providing best-ever response and accuracy. The XT5 features an integrated wireless charger for mobile devices, with a slot designed into the front-centre portion of the centre console. Also standard are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (When available in region) – the predominant new systems for simpler in-car phone integration.
The rear liftgate of the XT5 includes hands-free operation, allowing it to open or close via gesture control underneath the rear bumper. Cadillac’s signature LED light pipes are standard inside and out, while full LED headlamps are optional. A surround vision feature enables a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the perimeter around the car in parking situations.
Platinum models also receive a colour reconfigurable heads-up display as standard.
In addition, XT5 features Cadillac’s driver awareness and driver assist packages to aid vision and collision avoidance.
These include automatic front and rear braking for low-speed conditions, lane keeping assist, rear cross traffic alert, side blind zone alert, full-speed range adaptive cruise control and automatic parking assist.
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