Cadillac CT6 Elevates the Science of Mass Efficiency

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DETROIT – Cadillac will use an advanced mixed-material approach for the lightweight body structure of the upcoming CT6 range-topping sedan. The structure is aluminum intensive, but the new Cadillac also includes 13 different materials customized for each area of the car to simultaneously advance driving dynamics, fuel economy and cabin quietness.

CT6 Structure.1280.1280

The CT6 will debut March 31 at the New York International Auto Show and go into production late this year at General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant.

“This is the rocket science of automobile construction and manufacturing today,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen. “With the CT6, we used high-strength aluminum and high-strength steels; lightweight chassis components; we integrate aluminum and steel where it makes sense; we eliminate every gram of mass possible, while achieving world-class performance.”

Weight reduction helps improve fuel efficiency, contributes to desirable vehicle dynamics and aids in creating a more resilient passenger cell. Sixty-four percent of the CT6 body structure is aluminum, including all exterior body panels – and the mixed material approach saved 90 kg (198 pounds) compared to a predominately steel construction.

Thirteen complex high-pressure die cast components make up the lower structure of the CT6 body, along with aluminum sheets and extrusions. The vehicle underbody uses steel close-out panels on the lower structure to create a bank vault-quiet cabin without the added weight of extensive sound-deadening material, often used to compensate for aluminum panels in the occupant compartment.

“The structure of the CT6 is one of the most-advanced body systems we’ve ever produced,” said Travis Hester, Cadillac CT6 executive chief engineer. “The innovation surrounding our joining techniques have enabled us to create a vehicle structure with the highest torsional rigidity of any Cadillac while achieving one of the most mass-efficient vehicles in the segment.”

Cadillac in January revealed a series of high-technology material joining techniques that create a new methodology for assembling the CT6. These enabled engineers to design a completely new structure for which 21 patents are pending.

“This new construction approach has enabled us to produce a world-class vehicle that is larger in size and includes more standard equipment while achieving lower overall mass,” Hester said.

  • High-strength steel is used strategically to reinforce the body structure, and is also used in conjunction with high-strength aluminum to create a safety cage surrounding the occupants.
  • The structural portion of the B-pillar is constructed completely of high-strength steel, which was chosen to aid vehicle ingress, egress and visibility, in addition to mass savings and added cabin quietness.
  • A high-strength aluminum impact bar was added to the rear of the vehicle, and a combination of high-strength aluminum and steel was used for front and side impact zones to further increase passenger safety in the event of collisions.

A combination of aluminum spot welds, steel spot welds, flow drill screws, self-piercing rivets, laser welding, aluminum arc welding and hundreds of feet of structural adhesive are all used in assembling the body of the CT6.

Cadillac and LIFERS Introduce ‘The Seasons Collection’

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DETROIT – Cadillac is partnering with The LIFERS Project and photographer Matt Alberts to create “The Seasons Collection,” a multi-media photography collection of adventure sports-driven stories about people who push the limits in pursuit of their passion.

Using wet collodion photography, a 19th Century technique known for its sensitivity to ultraviolet light, long exposure times and enduring images, “The Seasons Collection” follows individuals and finds the correlation between what drives them and the seasons that inspire them.

“Cadillac has always been a brand for individuals who are passionate about their pursuits” said Cadillac Chief Marketing Officer Uwe Ellinghaus. “Partnering with The LIFERS Project allows Cadillac to highlight individuals who share our belief that there shouldn’t be limitation in the pursuit of one’s passions, but rather the inner drive to take the risk and march forward.”

The first collection, SNOW, features a snowboarding adventure focused on those whose passion is driven by snow. The second, SUN, travels along the West Coast to find those who are influenced by the skateboarding lifestyle. The final collection, WATER, travels through the Northeast to follow the surfing community and other water pursuits.

Alberts will use wet plate photography combined with digital photography and video production for the project.

Viewers can follow the journey to create this one-of-a-kind photography collection in real time throughout the year via social media updates and webisodes, weekly recap videos of events, places traveled and LIFERS interviewed while on the road.

The project will conclude with an art show in New York City in December 2015, where the audience can view the original photographs alongside Cadillac’s range of award-winning vehicles.


About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac’s media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.


About The LIFERS Project
LIFERS is an adventure driven photography project created by Matt Alberts. Using wet plate collodion as a medium, LIFERS captures the images of people who have dedicated their lives to their passion and the lifestyle that comes along with it. A LIFER pushes the limits and restraints of everyday life in order to truly live the life they want. A LIFER is passionate, bold, optimistic, and truly pursue life with power and anticipation.

Cadillac Escalade & ELR Sales Up, Up Up

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The Cadillac Escalade continued the trend of high sales with double-digit improvement over last year.  The ELR made a rare 127 deliveries, with an over 115% improvement from February of last year.

Everything else continued to be stuck in low gear — even the SRX, due for an upgrade soon.  BMW meanwhile was up 14+%, setting a February sales record led by 8.7K 3/4 Series — where ATS sales should be — and 3.5K 5-series sales — where CTS should be.  Mercedes similarly posted their highest February sales ever, at 23.6K vehicles sold led by 7K C-class sales.

How can Cadillac improve ATS sales to 3-Series and C-Class levels?  Advertising alone won’t do it, and the CT6 won’t do it.  The ATS is a great car, but needs help fast.

 

  February (Calendar Year-to-Date)
January – February
  2015 2014 %Change Volume   2015 2014 %Change Volume  
ATS 2,028 2,427 -16.4   3,785 4,336 -12.7  
CTS 1,438 2,509 -42.7   3,136 4,741 -33.9  
ELR 127 58 119.0   219 99 121.2  
Escalade 1,489 776 91.9   3,153 1,480 113.0  
Escalade ESV 888 494 79.8   1,988 875 127.2  
Escalade EXT 0 9 ***.*   2 34 -94.1  
SRX 3,809 5,058 -24.7   7,294 9,504 -23.3  
XTS 1,960 2,106 -6.9   3,842 3,754 2.3  
Cadillac Total* 11,739 13,437 -12.6   23,419 24,823 -5.7  

From the press release:

Cadillac:

  • Demand for the new Escalade continues to grow. Sales were up 86 percent for the vehicle’s best February since 2008.

DETROIT – Cadillac sold 18,812 vehicles worldwide in February, with sales up 36 percent in China. Overall, February results were down 1.2 percent from the year prior.

Cadillac’s business in its home market featured growth of 86 percent for the new Escalade. In the U.S. Cadillac’s average transaction price – an important measure of luxury brand strength — increased $8,900 over the same period a year ago to an average of roughly $52,000.

Chinese market sales were driven by the introduction of the award-winning third-generation CTS sedan and the expanded ATS product line.

Cadillac sales in key regions:

Market Feb-14 Feb-15 YOY % Change
US 13,437 11,739 (12.6)
China 4,378 5,959 36.1
Canada 581 474 (18.4)
Middle East 334 345 3.3
Rest of World 305 295 (3.3)
TOTAL 19,035 18,812 (1.2)

 

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. Today, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio featuring dramatic design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com. Cadillac’s media website with information, images and video can be found at media.cadillac.com.