Cadillac continued to show strong sales of the Cadillac SRX crossover in July.  Surprisingly Escalade sales were up sharply, bringing Cadillac to a 37% share of the large luxury SUV market.  GM’s Truck and Crossover sales were up across the board.

ATS continued around 1/4 of where it should be in sales — about 9k-10k per month to match the 3-series, and 1/2 of Cadillac’s initial target of 5k/mo.  CTS just edged out XTS at 2039 vs 1939 units.

Cadillac found the key to ELR sales, with 188 off to happy new owners in July.  Easily the best sales month for the electric Cadillac ever.

“Sales of utility vehicles soared in July because American families feel better about the economy than they have in a long time, and they are finding an incredible variety of redesigned and all-new models in our showrooms,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president of Sales Operations. “Small, compact, medium, large – sales were strong across the board.”

New Lane Change Alert and Lane Keep Assist safety systems available

DETROIT – Greater torque output in the 2015 ATS Coupe and ATS Sedan equipped with the 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine, and available safety-enhancing lane-changing and lane-keeping technologies, highlight the new model year for the luxury sport models.

The additional torque – 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm) and 272 horsepower (203 kW) – was achieved through engine calibration that results in increased boost pressure for improved performance over the class-competitive torque level available at the launch of the ATS Sedan.

“The ATS is already the most agile vehicle in its respective classes,” said David Masch, Cadillac ATS chief engineer. “The additional torque works to further improve on an already dynamic vehicle.”

At 136hp/L, the 2.0L Turbo is one of the most power-dense engines in the industry. It also delivers 90 percent of its peak torque from 2100 rpm to 3000 rpm and the full 295 lb-ft of peak torque (400 Nm) from 3000 to 4600 rpm. The broad torque band is supported by high boost levels in the speed range, which is designed to give the lightweight ATS Coupe a feeling of immediate power on demand.

The 2015 ATS also offer Lane Change Alert and Lane Keep Assist.

Lane Change Alert works in tandem with the available Side Blind Zone alert to warn drivers of rapidly approaching vehicles, looking approximately 82 feet (25 meters) from the side mirror. Drivers are warned that it may not be safe to change lanes with a flashing symbol in the side mirror, depending on which turn signal has been activated.

The Lane Keep Assist system operates above 37 mph, using a forward-facing camera that detects if the vehicle leaves the lane unintentionally. When detected, the system engages the electric power steering to give a momentary nudge and prevent crossing the lane markings, aligning the vehicle in the lane.

Lane Change Alert and Lane Keep Assist are available on both the 2015 ATS Coupe and Sedan Performance and Premium Collection equipped with the Driver Assist Package; Lane Change Alert is also available on Luxury, Performance and Premium Collection ATS vehicles with the Driver Awareness Package.

Premium electric power steering refines 2015 ATS Coupe ride without sacrificing handling

2015 Cadillac CTS Coupe

DETROIT – Cadillac and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH, a leading supplier of automotive steering systems, have teamed to create world-class dynamic handling and steering for all models of the 2015 ATS.

Starting with the excellent mechanical steering system, the electronic power assist steering gives a wider range of assist, resulting in an incredibly communicative, well-weighted and responsive steering experience, said Kevin Woodward, global key account at ZF Lenksysteme.

For 2015 ATS models, including the all-new ATS Coupe, the feel of the electronic power-assisted steering, designed with ZF Lenksysteme, has been improved through revised programming within the electronic control unit. The result is an incredibly communicative, well-weighted and responsive steering experience.

For 2015 ATS models, including the all-new ATS Coupe, the feel of the electronic power-assisted steering has been improved through revised programming within the electronic control unit. New programming broadens the range of steering assist at low and high vehicle speeds, based on wheel speed, steering angle and even the car’s chassis mode.

“It means that you don’t have to sacrifice parking lot feel for spirited driving feel,” Woodward said. “The new software change illustrates our ability to balance the goal of spirited performance, nimble and quick-responding steering with the premium luxury feel expected by Cadillac owners.”

The electric, variable-assist power steering system from ZF Lenksysteme is designed to deliver excellent response and on-center characteristics while saving fuel since engine power isn’t directly required to assist gear movement – as is the case with conventional hydraulic systems.

“Premium electric power steering by ZF Lenksysteme steering gear has great torsional stiffness and low operating friction to enhance the steering feel with almost perfect linear response,” Woodward said. Additionally, the steering column and intermediate shaft feature stiff, direct-acting and low-friction ball bearing designs for a more immediate, connected-to-the-road feel for the driver.