Cadillac SRX unveiled ahead of 2009 Detroit Auto Show

Nelson Ireson January 3rd, 2009

By Nelson Ireson Author January 3rd, 2009

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December 31st, 1969 Sporty, luxurious crossovers, like the crossover niche in general, haven't had the success the industry might have hoped for. Nevertheless, there is a definite market for the vehicles, and Cadillac has just unveiled its latest contender for the driveways of those buyers. Cadillac gave us a sneak preview of the 2010 SRX at the 2008 Pebble Beach Show, and later in a video as it flung snow about, powersliding over a frozen lake. Designed to offer similar aggressive style and sporty handling to the award-winning CTS sedan but also with clear cues from the fuel-cell Provoq concept, the SRX crossover features the a pair of direct-injected V6 engines and the option of AWD. The smaller of the two engines, at 2.8L, packs 300hp (224kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) thanks to its turbocharged induction. The larger 3.0L unit, which is just a reduced-displacement version of the 3.6L direct-injection V6 found in the CTS, offers 260hp (193kW) and 221lb-ft (300Nm) of torque. Cadillac says fuel economy "in the mid-20s on the highway is expected, but testing isn’t complete." The six-speed Hyrdra-Matic 6T70 automatic transmission also gets revised ratios to help cut fuel usage. An AWD system improves handling in both dry and inclement weather. “The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather,” said Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer. “The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface.” Four-wheel discs with 13.6x1.2in (345x30mm) rotors up front and 12.4x0.9in (315x23mm) in the rear offer ample stopping power for attacking twisty canyon roads or slowing a trailer on the highway. With seating for five and 61.18cu ft (1,732.4L) of cargo area with the seats folded down or 29.2cu ft (826.8L) of cargo space behind the second-row seats, the SRX is also capable of towing up to 3,500lb (1,590kg) with a maximum tongue weight of 350lb (158kg). To get to the maximum figures, however, you'll need to equip the optional towing package. Standard safety equipment includes a range of front, side and curtain airbags plus dual pretensioners and load limiters on the front seat belts. A rollover mitigation sensor ties into the traction control system to kelp keep the shiny side up, and trailer stability assist helps keep the cart from getting before the horse. The SRX begins production at the Ramos Arizpe facility in Mexico in Q2 2009, and hits the showroom floor immediately after. Pricing has not yet been announced.2010 Cadillac SRX crossover

Power comes from a 3.0L direct-injection V6 rated at 260hp (193kW) and 221lb-ft (300Nm) of torque

Enlarge Photo

Sporty, luxurious crossovers, like the crossover niche in general, haven't had the success the industry might have hoped for. Nevertheless, there is a definite market for the vehicles, and Cadillac has just unveiled its latest contender for the driveways of those buyers.

Cadillac gave us a sneak preview of the 2010 SRX at the 2008 Pebble Beach Show, and later in a video as it flung snow about, powersliding over a frozen lake. Designed to offer similar aggressive style and sporty handling to the award-winning CTS sedan but also with clear cues from the fuel-cell Provoq concept, the SRX crossover features the a pair of direct-injected V6 engines and the option of AWD. The smaller of the two engines, at 2.8L, packs 300hp (224kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) thanks to its turbocharged induction. The larger 3.0L unit, which is just a reduced-displacement version of the 3.6L direct-injection V6 found in the CTS, offers 260hp (193kW) and 221lb-ft (300Nm) of torque.

Cadillac says fuel economy "in the mid-20s on the highway is expected, but testing isn’t complete." The six-speed Hyrdra-Matic 6T70 automatic transmission also gets revised ratios to help cut fuel usage. An AWD system improves handling in both dry and inclement weather.

“The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather,” said Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer. “The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface.”

Four-wheel discs with 13.6x1.2in (345x30mm) rotors up front and 12.4x0.9in (315x23mm) in the rear offer ample stopping power for attacking twisty canyon roads or slowing a trailer on the highway. With seating for five and 61.18cu ft (1,732.4L) of cargo area with the seats folded down or 29.2cu ft (826.8L) of cargo space behind the second-row seats, the SRX is also capable of towing up to 3,500lb (1,590kg) with a maximum tongue weight of 350lb (158kg). To get to the maximum figures, however, you'll need to equip the optional towing package.

Standard safety equipment includes a range of front, side and curtain airbags plus dual pretensioners and load limiters on the front seat belts. A rollover mitigation sensor ties into the traction control system to kelp keep the shiny side up, and trailer stability assist helps keep the cart from getting before the horse.

The SRX begins production at the Ramos Arizpe facility in Mexico in Q2 2009, and hits the showroom floor immediately after. Pricing has not yet been announced.

2010 Cadillac SRX crossover

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Tags: Detroit Auto Show, General Motors, crossovers, turbocharged, GM, V6, injection, Debut

Posted in: 2010, Cadillac, Auto Shows, SUVs, SRX

by NoNameDenton #1, Posted: 1/3/2009

Other then minor sheetmetal, what will the difference be between this and the Saab?
by NaBUru38 #2, Posted: 1/4/2009

The larger engine is the less powerful one. I love that!

NoNameDenton: the badge and the dealers.
by www.mywheelsonwalls.com #3, Posted: 1/4/2009

This just goes to show that good cars do come out of America and all we need to do now is change public perception, easier said than done unfortunately!!!!!

I would have no problem parking this in the driveway..
by justinhk2000 #4, Posted: 1/4/2009

I'd have big problems parking this in my driveway, i don't like to gawk at a more blinged out chevrolet traverse that gets 15 mpg(in real world driving, not those bull crap numbers that epa gives us and in order to achieve them, i 'd have to drive like a granny) and cant do 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. If i want storage i'd get a wagon. and if i want towing, i'd get a honda pilot thats bigger, better lookin, more reliable, tows about the same, and gets better mpg.
by NoNameDenton #5, Posted: 1/4/2009

justinhk2000, this is not a blinged out Traverse, it shares underpinnings with the Saturn Vue.
by justinhk2000 #6, Posted: 1/4/2009

^even worse
by justinhk2000 #7, Posted: 1/4/2009

This CUV actually uses mainly a long wheelbase version of the theta while burrowing some parts from Lambda platform, this means that it is still half traverse underneath and a half of vue, even though the vue uses a shortened wheel base version.
by NoNameDenton #8, Posted: 1/4/2009

Since the platform is called Theta-Epsilon, it uses parts from the platform under the Vue and the Malibu, no Lambda parts.
by NoNameDenton #9, Posted: 1/4/2009

Underpinning this reinterpreted SRX is a mixture of Theta (Chevy Equinox) and new Epsilon (Buick LaCrosse) transverse-engine front-drive hardware, so there goes the long dash-to-axle look.
by www.mywheelsonwalls.com #10, Posted: 1/5/2009

Justin- Your the classic American consumer which currently is dominated by perception, the point I made in my original post.

I just checked the Honda Pilot on JD Power and Cadillacs current offering of an SUV (the SRX) beats it in virtually every category. More importantly it beats in the IQ category, this is where a vehicle is rated on its first ninety days of ownership. So if you like driving your precious little Pilot back to the dealership within the first three months then knock yourself out.

Note- I understand the SRX is bigger than the Pilot but the point I'm making is that if GM can do a good job once the chances of a repeat are pretty high, especially in these very deserate and make it or break it times. Once again the secret to the American car makers being successful is breaking perceptions as quite frankly the product is on par with what the competition has to offer.
by LisaV #11, Posted: 1/5/2009

An exciting turbo V6 with intelligent 4 wheel drive is an impressive step forward for any GM SUV. With the right tires, it promises to be much better in the snow than any ordinary 4
wheel drive. The exterior looks are disapointingly derivative. Reminding of an inflated Sebring and a wind blown Lexus. It could as easily be a Chevy or a Chrysler behind the goofy wide mouthed grill first seen on the CTS. Dare I say, a face only a mother could love. Unfortunately, while performance and braking promise to be very good, Moms like milage, and the SRX's gross weight makes it a gas guzzler, unsuitable for an all purpose family ride.

"Made in Mexico" has not previously been the hallmark of quality, with Mexican made VW's giving owners problems of all sorts. But ask any musician about Mexican Fender guitars and
they will tell you, "Times they are a changin'."

It seems like another GM mixed bag. I say definitely worth a test drive, but if it's priced anywhere near the Lexus RX 450 hybrid, it will be a hard sell. I look forward to the head
to head winter drive comparison.
by justinhk2000 #12, Posted: 1/5/2009

If GM pulls this off, and the volt off, i'll become more open to american made cars, but as of right now, my perception is still firm on how bad american cars yet. A new car needs to stand the test of time before it can be accurately judged. The Pilot most likely be a very good suv even after 10 years, but we'll have to see if these new GM and Ford vehicles can perform this well right now. My dad had the first ever Ford Focus, it was completely drowned in a flash flood. The next day, it started up just fine and got him to work 3 times before it died on him due to transmission faiulure. This is what durability really means, i praise ford for this car. I own a Honda Accord for 4 years now and still, i haven't had any problems with the drivetrain or any interior parts rattle.
by justinhk2000 #13, Posted: 1/5/2009

Sorry for my puctuation and conventional errors for I'm currently trying to catch a flight.
by HECTOR #14, Posted: 1/6/2009

Am I the only one that thinks this design language of Caddy is getting a bit old?

Taste is a subjective thing. The SRX is more attractive than the Pilot but the Pilot will still be around 5 years from now which I can't say for sure of the SRX.
by Edward #15, Posted: 1/6/2009

The idea of this Caddy is to compete against the similar BMW SUV in price. In tough times like this, the American products due to low dollar will fend off foreign rivals. The Caddy here is a good bet for GM.
by phil #16, Posted: 1/13/2009

The back or rear needs improvment.I don't like it!!