2004 Cadillac SRX

CADILLAC SRX BRINGS STRONG PERFORMANCE, BOLD DESIGN, FLEXIBILITY TO MEDIUM LUXURY UTILITY SEGMENT

The all-new Cadillac SRX brings a heightened level of performance and flexibility to the medium luxury utility segment. It's a vehicle able to handle whatever path you put in front of it - a utility vehicle with a towing capacity (mid-year availability) of up to 3,500 pounds (1,134 kg) that drives like a sport sedan and looks like nothing else on the road. Its bold, breakthrough styling instantly announces Cadillac's arrival in the segment.
SRX is the latest model to express Cadillac's bold new design form vocabulary, and echoes the crisp, creased look of its concept vehicle predecessor, Vizón (2001). As the first of Cadillac's S-series of models, SRX foreshadows and shares automotive DNA with future vehicles like the all-new 2005 STS sedan. (concept carz)




'SRX is a true driver's utility, an innovative entry in a crowded segment,' said Jay Spenchian, marketing director. 'SRX is unlike any of the luxury utilities out there. It offers a great look, precise road manners and unprecedented utility.'

The SRX made its official debut at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in January 2003, with production start-up in mid-2003.



A near 50-50 weight distribution, a low center of gravity, outstanding powertrain combinations and a host of the latest vehicle stability technologies contribute to make SRX a rare utility vehicle that is, at its core, fun to drive.

Northstar power and sophisticated chassis management
New engine combinations are available for SRX, including the next-generation 4.6L Northstar V-8 VVT (variable valve timing) or the all-new 3.6L V-6 VVT. The 4.6L, 32-valve V-8 Northstar engine, extensively re-engineered and mounted longitudinally, is a sophisticated, technically advanced powerplant that generates 320 horsepower (239 kw) at 6400 rpm and 315 lb.-ft. of torque (427 Nm) at 4400 rpm. The engine incorporates a host of technical innovations, including electronic throttle control and phasers on all four camshafts to control valve timing throughout the entire operating range.

SRX will mark the first AWD and second RWD application of the Northstar engine family. This new 4.6L Northstar makes its debut in the RWD Cadillac XLR luxury roadster.

The 3.6L V-6 VVT makes 260 horsepower (194 kw) at 6500 rpm and 255 lb.-ft. of torque (346 Nm) at 3200 rpm. The 60-degree dual overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve powerplant boasts a number of performance refinements including electronic throttle control, variable valve timing, multi-port fuel injection, two-stage roller chain cam drive, aluminum block and cylinder heads and a forged steel crankshaft.

Both engines will be mated to five-speed automatic transmissions: the Hydra-Matic 5L50-E with the V-8 VVT and the Hydra-Matic 5L40-E with the V-6 VVT. The 5L50-E, with 25 percent more torque capacity than the 5L40-E, features Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS), an innovative new dual-plate torque converter and a separate, highly refined transmission control module (TCM) with expanded power and memory. Both transmissions feature Driver Shift Control (which offers the thrill of clutchless manual shifting), electronically controlled engine braking, downgrade detection with brake assist, and Performance Algorithm Liftfoot.

Chassis management and vehicle control systems on the SRX offer a high level of sophistication and help the vehicle respond accordingly to virtually all types of driving conditions. Features include the latest four-channel StabiliTrak active suspension control and available segment-first Magnetic Ride Control. The electronically controlled magnetic-fluid based real-time damping is the world's fastest-reacting suspension control system. Speed-sensitive variable effort steering, four-channel ABS with Panic Brake Assist and traction control and available AWD also are included. SRX incorporates all-aluminum suspension components to reduce unsprung mass and optimize suspension performance. SRX suspension uses an independent short/long arm (SLA) front and fully independent multi-link rear for superior ride and handling.

Standout styling and flexible cargo management
At first glance, SRX is instantly recognizable as one of the 'new' Cadillacs and yet is unlike anything else on the road. The family resemblance to CTS and Escalade is immediately evident; the SRX visually bridges the gap between performance sedan and full-size SÚV. Its Cadillac bloodline shows through in its chiseled vertical tail and headlamps and V-shaped grille. At the same time, the dramatically styled SRX clearly stands out from its European and Japanese competitors.

There was an intense focus in SRX development on providing usable and convenient passenger and storage space. SRX seats up to seven passengers with the optional third row seat engaged. The second row seat, with the most legroom in its class at 41 inches (104 cm), folds virtually flat, and the third row seat power-folds into the floor at the push of a button. Third-row seats also feature cupholders. Vehicles not equipped with the optional third-row seat can have a cargo management system integrated into the rear floor. The standard roof rails extend the vehicle's storage capability.

Additional storage areas include covered front door compartments, front door map pockets, front seatback pockets, front center console with two compartments, a bin behind the front console, glove box with shelf, covered cup holders in the front seat center console and second seat fold-down armrest with cupholders. SRX also has rear coat hooks accessible from the rear passenger doors or liftgate.

An optional rear cargo management system, available as an alternative to the third row seat, offers three cargo compartments and includes a removable storage bin. It's perfect for stowing anything from a car care or emergency kit to sports equipment to DVDs or CDs for a long drive. For still more cargo packing, large side storage bins along the rear cargo area are standard.

Nearly all of the vehicle's interior space can be illuminated with daylight with the largest sunroof system available in the segment. The optional 'ÚltraView' sunroof provides the thrill of an open-air driving experience. It extends to provide 5.6 feet (1.7 m) of open air over the first and second row seats and integrates a retractable power shade. The 'ÚltraView Plus' includes a vented glass roof over the third row seat and a power sunshade.

Interior materials and appointments reflect the richness of the Cadillac S-series. The blend of wood and leather represents an evolution of refinement for the interior, and includes leather seats and armrest, and wood trim on the steering wheel, shifter knob, door pulls and PRNDL trim plate. Interior colors include ebony, light neutral and light gray.

Built to please
SRX is manufactured at Lansing Grand River Assembly in Lansing, Mich., which builds the CTS. The state-of-the-art, 1.9 million-square-foot (176,516 square-meter) facility is based on GM's Global Manufacturing System (GMS). GMS focuses on maximum performance in the areas of quality, safety, customer responsiveness and cost. GMS stresses the importance of built-in quality principles, and the LGR plant practices those principles in every aspect of its operations to assure its products are world-class in terms of quality.

'CTS is attracting new, younger customers to Cadillac showrooms on a daily basis and SRX will capture that same type of buyer while adding still more - those unwilling to sacrifice performance and style for utility,' said Jay Spenchian, Cadillac SRX marketing director. 'SRX is exactly the vehicle Cadillac and customers shopping for luxury utilities need.'

Source - GM Media