Category Archives: New Technology

Re: Some highlights from General Motors CEO

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This is good thinking.  AutoBird Blog skimmed the best rumors from Tell Fritz Henderson site and put them together in one blog post:

Where does the XTS fit into Cadillac’s lineup? The XTS will fit in the market focused on comfort, luxury, interior space, and fuel efficiency, for a mid-luxury market price of $50,000 – $60,000. The XTS won’t be marketed as an ultra-luxury flagship sedan (e.g. BMW 7-Series, Mercedes S-Class). Sales volumes of 7-series and S-class sized cars are very small, in GM’s judgment, declining based on the economy and consumer need for more practical and environmentally-oriented solutions. The XTS will use a Premium Epsilon platform (derivative of the Buick Lacrosse platform). It will feature front-wheel and all-wheel-drive, high-feature V6s, turbocharged V6s and possibly a V8 powertrain.

AutoBird Blog:  AutoBird Blog » Tell Fritz Henderson: Some highlights from General Motors CEO.

Alpha = Cadillac ATS Illustration

Alpha = Cadillac ATS Illustration

Here was a new question I like, about the upcoming smaller-than-a-CTS Cadillac ATS:

When will the BMW 3 Series-size Alpha RWD Cadillac come out. I would love to see this happen its a winner. If priced right it will be hard to beat even for a BMW 3 series which is over priced. So I think it should be a go for this car. Hope you agree.

Dear Craig – I very much agree. While I can not answer exactly for competitive reasons, I can assure you that it is in development right now and that it will be an absolute winner. Thanks for your enthusiasm for Cadillac. Tell your friends to keep an eye on us!
–Bryan Nesbitt, General Manager, Cadillac

I am glad that GM and Cadillac are trying so hard to communicate with the Buying public through a variety of means.  The more Cadillac Information we can get out to people the better they will appreciate these great vehicles!

Re: Green up: Automotive solutions designed faster, smarter

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Embedded Computing focuses on the controllers or computers that are inside our everyday gadgets.   In this article: Green up: Automotive solutions designed faster, smarter – By Don Dingee they discuss GM’s use of simulation tools to cut the development time of their current production two-mode hybrid systems:

It was imperative for GM to get the Two-Mode Hybrid power train into production quickly, and to do that, they turned to math and simulation-based tools from The MathWorks. Using Model-Based Design, GM designed the power train prototype within 9 months, shaving 24 months off the expected development time. The complex control system is currently in production in the GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, Chevy Silverado Hybrid, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid vehicles.

Not everyone appreciates that the GM two-mode hybrids are seriously excellent engineering.  This also documents that GM is becoming more agile as they go — but that it is not just something that started this year.  Still lots more room for improvement, but GM and Cadillac have been on an arc of improved design and engineering for the last 2 decades.



Cadillac CTS 3L V6 vs BMW 328 3L I6

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A lot of focus last week on the CTS-V Challenge with the Cadillac CTS-V racing vs the BMW M3 and M5.  That was a terrifically fun event.  But where the rubber meets the road between BMW and Cadillac is how their front line sedans and cross-overs compare, since this is where the sales are.  The CTS-V, M3, and M5 are all terrific, but none of them will sell in big numbers.

The BMW 3 Series is the 328, with a 230hp, 3L V6 starting at $34K, and the 335 with a 3L Turbo for 300hp starting at $41,675.

The Cadillac CTS comes in base model with a 270 hp 3L Direct Injected V6 starting at $36,730, and a 304hp 3.6L Direct Injected V6 starting at $44,365.

So, let’s compare the 3L CTS with the BMW 328.

You can see a side-by-side comparison by stat by an independent firm (Polk) on the Cadillac site here.

Big picture:

  • Both are sporty.
  • The Cadillac is roomier, the BMW is lighter.
  • They cost about the same, equally equipped.  Real world prices on the CTS may be somewhat less than the BMW.
  • The Cadillac has a longer warranty.
  • Cadillac quality and reliability has been higher than BMW quality and reliability in initial and 4-year surveys.

Speaking of the Engines, how do they compare?

The 3.0L direct injected DOHC V6 in the CTS is a new engine called the LF1.  It is a new, efficient member of the Premium V6 family that the other Cadillac V6, the LLT 3.6L Direct Injection engine belongs to.  The graph below shows the engine dyno for the Cadillac LF1 3L V6:

Cadillac likely could have gotten a bit more HP out of the 3L engine, but it was clearly tuned for a very flat torque curve.  That provides for ready acceleration in real-world use.

The BMW 328 makes 230 hp from an inline 6 cylinder:

Our inline six engine offers smooth power, greater acceleration and 200 lb-ft of torque at at 2750 rpms. A number of pioneering technologies make it possible. An electronically controlled water pump helps increase power output. Our patented Valvetronic system offers better fuel efficiency. And to save weight, we used a groundbreaking innovation that BMW was the first to use in a production car – an engine block made of a lightweight composite magnesium/aluminum.

BMW Engine Video

The engines appear to have a similar peak torque, although the Cadillac is 15% higher.  The Cadillac also enjoys 17% more Horsepower.