Cadillac's new SRX crossover isn't due to hit the streets until mid-2009, but the company released a preview of the car as it will look in production guise at this year's Pebble Beach Auto Show, and now a video of the car thrashing through what appears to be a Michigan winter has been revealed.
Already the car has been caught several times by spy photographers as it undergoes testing. The key themes General Motors is emphasizing in the new crossover SUV are the fresh appearance and dynamic styling.
Perhaps seeking to shake off some of the staid perception of the brand, which is, in part, already happening thanks to the CTS and its supercharged big-brother, the CTS-V, Cadillac is pitching the new SRX as a continuation of that new design inspiration. The appearance shares enough of the styling of the two sedans to make missing the connection difficult. It also shares thematic traits with the Provoq Concept shown earlier this year.
Before the car goes on sale about a year from now, it will make the rounds at the major car shows, starting later this year, possibly with the Paris Motor Show in October. The company is saving the car's technical details until then, but hints at AWD capability with its talk of wet-weather traction and possibly the inclusion of the 3.6L direct-injected V6 by reference to 'excellent driving dynamics'.
Reader Comments
Fri Aug 15 2008 6:37 AM
Palmer M says
The "Art & Science" styling was very good when Cadillac broke it out about 12-15 years ago, but it's getting old now. The show cars were great (EVOQ, IMAJ, VIZON, Centieme, SIXTEEN, etc), but only the XLR (EVOQ) and SRX (VIZON) delivered. The pastiche application of the theme to the rest of the line, especially to the perennially carried-over DeVille/DTS, didn't break any new ground.
The 2nd gen Sigma STS and CTS ought to be the end of this theme...they look good but they are hardly ground-breaking.
This new SRX/Theta could be any Acura or Jeep with badge/grille changes. I hope Cadillac can come up with a cohesive new theme for its 2012-2015 entries...by then Art & Science will be staler than "flame-surfacing"!
This looks like a gigantic Pontiac Vibe that got slashed by a wild cat.
Fri Aug 15 2008 12:09 PM
Michael D. says
Looking great!! It'll give the Lexus RX a run for it' s money! Nice design themes, ll the way to a suggestion of tail fins! With a 300hp 3.6L V6, this will indeed be a nice package.
Fri Aug 15 2008 6:45 PM
Chris says
palmer,.. i disagree with everything with exception to the last comment.. I think caddy is the most desirable american brand right now, all around. not a single product that they make that isnt interesting. but this thing looks exactly like a pumped up vibe. funny comparison but you nailed it right on there.
that being said, lincoln mkx? yeah right. lincoln is going to have to really step it up before 2010.
i dont know if the RX will lose many customers to this thing.. it would be nice but i think there are too many people who are loyal to lexus to bother with caddy.
Fri Aug 15 2008 6:51 PM
NaBUru38 says
What size is this crossover?
Sat Aug 16 2008 4:32 AM
Palmer M says
NaBUru38, the new SRX isn't on the Sigma platform (CTS, STS) like the first generation; it's the first of the new Theta's - Chevy Equinox, Saturn Vue, Pontiac Torrent, Opel Antara, Saab 9-4. So it's about that size.
Chris, you're right that Cadillac has a great line-up...I just always want the future, NOW! I've owned/driven so many great Cadillacs over the years and have always been a huge fan, so this is one brand I feel qualified to comment on.
The MKX is good, as it looks very close to the Aviator concept, but the wow-factors of that concept were the rich wood floors and console details. Ford really does the MKX a disservice in the market by using the same body for the Edge. And the Mazda versions wouldn't have worked for either brand.
One thing's for sure about this new SRX: using the 3.6 High Feature will make it a rocket! I recently drove a GMC Acadia (2 1/2 tons) with this engine, and it was amazingly fast!
I hate to be critical of my favorite brand, but the sweep containing the door handles competes with the square-edged profile, especially the hood line...the simplistic three-opening front fascia competes with the SIXTEEN-style grille...the side vents (faux or real) don't work on a tall car with a short fender...the visor over the rear hatch indicates a fundamental aerodynamic flaw...the car needs cameras instead of side mirrors...it's just too busy to be attractive. The side sweep accentuates the blunt nose, and the roof rails ruin the rear profile.
There's 2 or 3 inches of black trim/frame below the painted body...this car would look better on smaller wheels, minus the "invisible" height. I have nothing against tall cars, and this would have looked pretty contemporary in 1999, but not today. Today, it is too slavish to the SUV idiom.
It's way better than the RX/MDX/X5, but should be cleaner; that's why I think Cadillac should begin a new styling theme.
Wed Dec 24 2008 1:56 AM
Scottson says
This car looks a bit awkward to me, almost like a jacked up CTS although I guess Cadillac do have a design language to follow.
Thu Dec 25 2008 2:17 PM
schlehke says
I agree that cadi needs to simplify their design while keeping their edgy stance and angry face. Speaking for this specific vehicle I must say that the pictures do not do it justice.
I live just outside the motor city where many of the Auto industries CEO's and top execs live so I am lucky enough to see many of their upcoming vehicles before they even hit this web page. Roughly 2-3 weeks ago when Michigan got their first big snow I was driving home from work and saw the new SRX turning out of my subdivision (un-badged and carrying no camouflage). Let me say that this will definitely make you turn your head and take a double take. This thing looks much more aggressive in person and nothing like a pumped up vibe. And although it shares many aspects with its Vue cousin the edgy Cadillac design shines through and leaves very little noticeable Saturn cues behind. The only thing that I noticed that made it look a tad awkward was the side vent. This needs to either be altered or deleted from the design to enhance the image of the upcoming vehicle.
I would def. keep your eyes on this vehicle especially with its direct injection engine and especially if they bring over the new xwd technology used in GM's recent Saab 93 TurboX (available on all 93 models currently). This thing will handle like a dream and will have the power to outperform its competition.
Thu Dec 25 2008 2:20 PM
schlehke says
Keep in mind that the model I saw was black and does the new SUV much more justice then the plain gray that is shown in the above pictures.
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