Escalade Hybrid: Environmental Highlight

The Environmental Age has a favorable blog about the new Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

Its a Caddy, and while there are loads of hybrids out there now the majority of them look like they would be more suited as clown cars rather than status symbols.

I mentioned in this blog entry that some people just aren’t getting why a Cadillac Hybrid Escalade is a good idea.  I previously argued that there are great reasons to make a Hybrid Escalade.  And finally, this entry discusses the technology in the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid itself.

Green at Heart

Green at Heart

But I am glad to see some other blogs get it.  I know that some of the haters are in transmit only mode, but I think the facts need to be clear to everyone, and then you can decide for yourself if you would enjoy a hybrid Escalade.

I think people don’t get that this is a true 2-mode hybrid vehicle, and that is a shame.  The EPA rating is not everything.  For my Wife’s daily commute for example, in an Escalade Hybrid she could creep along through neighborhood traffic and manage not to need the gas engine to come on at all.  That is a different kind of SUV.

Cadillac Takes Charge and Accelerates Alpha Development

GMInsideNews.com is reporting that Cadillac is accelerating development of the alpha architecture

In another rumored move, Global Product Board has taken development of Alpha from GM Holden and has given it to the GM North America and GM Europe operations. This was done to placate Cadillac, who does not want to compromise on Alpha’s development for their planned BLS-replacement. What Cadillac hopes to achieve is to get a flexible enough platform to support 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engines, as was deemed necessary by the Wreath & Crest brand.

This may also hint that a premium version of the Alpha platform will eventually supplant the Sigma platform that current underpins the Cadillac CTS when the vehicle is replaced in the 2012-2014 time frame. Originally, GM had intended to further develop a “premium version” of the Zeta architecture that would unify both Zeta and the much more expensive Sigma platform. These plans, apparently, have been shelved in favor of a wider utilization of the lighter Alpha platform.

I am a huge proponent of lighter cars.  It was expected that the new smaller-than-a-CTS model would be lighter by virtue of being smaller.

The idea that a ‘stretched’ alpha might replace the current Sigma II architecture of the Cadillac CTS is very interesting, and would be a way for the entire line to get on a diet, so to speak.  Very good news.

Of course, a nice V8 engine in a lighter Cadillac Alpha platform would be fun, if less economical.  But certainly a V-Series edition of the upcoming Alpha model would be welcome.

CTS SPORT WAGON TAKES CADILLAC INTO NEW MARKETS

Paris, October 2008

• Dramatically designed CTS Sport Wagon makes debut

• Spacious, stylish, luxury interior offers alternative to luxury SUVs and other Wagons

• Petrol and diesel engines, rear or all wheel drive, 6-speed automatic gearbox

PARIS MOTORSHOW – The CTS Sport Wagon will be seen in European Cadillac dealerships during 2009, showcasing a dramatic design that brings the wagon body style to new markets.  Complementing the styling and ample interior space, a range of fuel and emissions-efficient, six cylinder gasoline and diesel engines are expected to make the CTS Sport Wagon an attractive alternative to larger luxury vehicles.

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

The CTS Wagon is launched with a 3.6L V6, direct injection powertrain generating 227kW (311horsepower). Direct gasoline injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion and helps the CTS offer more power while less fuel is consumed and less emissions are created. The engine shows a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions in comparison with previous engines of a similar size.  The engine is matched with a fuel-saving, electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission. As with the CTS Sedan, the Sport Wagon includes All Wheel Drive as an option.

An efficient 2.9L turbo-diesel engine is currently being developed for CTS models. Due for launch later in 2009, it is a compact, dual overhead cam, four-valve V6 engine from GM’s family of diesel engines. The engine is rated at 184 kW (250 hp) and delivers optimal fuel economy, low emissions and noise levels. It is expected to significantly boost demand for the model in key European markets.  Like other historic Cadillac designs, the new CTS Sport Wagon has an unmistakable and dynamic presence, striking a sporting stance, with a wide track. Signature exterior cues include horizontal spline lines and dihedral, v-shaped hood. Further exterior highlights include 19-inch wheels and the option of a large, panoramic sunroof.

“The addition of this dramatically-designed Sport Wagon is well synchronized with today’s changing consumer tastes as a compelling alternative to SUVs or other larger vehicles,” says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “This is an important step in Cadillac’s ongoing global expansion, and of course in international markets like Europe, wagons have been and continue to be very significant.”
The CTS Sport Wagon rides on the same 2,880mm wheelbase as the CTS Sedan, but offers a generous cargo area behind the rear seats. Functionality was a guiding factor during development, but so was injecting emotion into the normally sedate wagon category.  One example of this integration of form and function is found in the seamless roof load management system. Rather than brackets and cross bars that protrude above the roof line, the CTS Sport Wagon’s system blends with the roofline, maintaining an uninterrupted appearance.  The center section of the roof panel angles downward inside the roof edges. This allows an unobtrusive placement of the cross bars and creates a subtle fin effect at the trailing edges of the rear panels.

An intricately cut rear profile injects fashion-forward design into a distinctive silhouette that suggests speed and aerodynamic efficiency. The Cadillac “V” motif culminates in a spine at the center of the power-opening liftgate, accented with a subtle spoiler at the top of the backlight.  The rear quarter panels extend slightly beyond the inward-angled planes of the V, creating a distinctive W shape at the rear of the vehicle. Large, prominent vertical tail lamps – with Cadillac’s signature light pipe technology – are the final, dramatic touches to the rear-end styling.

The interior of the CTS Sport Wagon is common to the much-acclaimed Sedan, including streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting and hand-cut-and-sewn accents with French stitching.  Again combining form and function, an integrated cargo management system offers adjustable in-floor containment. The CTS Sport Wagon, like the Sedan, includes available features such as a 40-gigabyte internal hard drive, pop-up navigation screen and a hand-cut-and-sewn interior with Sapele wood accents. Extra safety is offered by a rear-view camera system, integrated with the navigation system.

The Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon will show up at European Cadillac dealerships during 2009. Price information and equipment details will be announced later.

CTS SPORT WAGON PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type:     four-door, five-passenger rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive wagon
Wheelbase (mm):     2880
Length (mm):     4859
Width (mm):     1842
Height (mm):     1502
Track (mm):     1570 (front); 1575 (rear)
Engines:     3.6L V-6 VVT DI (227 kW/311 hp)
Transmissions:     Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic
Suspension:     four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut front; multilink rear, progressive rate coil springs, monotube shock absorbers
Steering:     variable-assist rack-and-pinion
Brakes:     four-wheel disc; dual-piston front calipers; single-piston rear calipers
Wheels:     18-inch or 19-inch aluminum
Luggage capacity (L):     349 (behind rear seats), 704 (behind front seats, 2nd row seats folded)
Total volume (L):     3081