Cadillac president Johan de Nysschen had some interesting answers for Jalopnik commenters during his recent question and answer session on the site. The exec announced the upcoming 2016 CT6 will debut a new family of V6 engines for the automaker and will also eventually offer a twin-turbo V8 option, but he also addressed a consistent complaint we’ve heard about Cadillac’s cars.
One user stated Cadillac’s instrument panels were “lagging aesthetically behind the best from Audi, Benz, or even Infiniti,” and asked how the brand plans to address the issue. This is far from the first time we’ve heard this complaint, which we assume is in reference to the rather dated-looking blue clusters found on all versions of ATS save for the V-Series, which has similar looking red instruments, and the CTS when not equipped with the optional Performance Seat and Cluster Package.
de Nysschen said the clusters are “probably a matter of personal taste,” and that it is overlooked how Cadillac is the “only full-line luxury brand that employs ‘cut-and-sew’ interiors across the board.” He explains its cars use “the highest grade of authentic woods, and leathers,” which are only found in top-end models from competing automakers, a feature which sets the brand apart.
That’s all well and good, but there’s no denying some consumers have taken issue with the white and blue cluster currently serving in Cadillac cars. The driver is forced to constantly look at the gauges and if they don’t convey a sense of quality on par the rest of the vehicle, it can easily take away from the luxury driving experience.
Luckily, Cadillac has plans to address the issue. de Nysschen says future Cadillac interior design thematic will “move towards simplified, horizontal-theme expression to convey openness and a sense of wide space,” and will place “emphasis on instrument cluster design to convey them as precision instruments.” This revolution will start with the CT6 flagship and will likely trickle down through the Cadillac range.
So if you’re not a fan of the gauges on the ATS or certain CTS models, the replacement models for both of the sedans will likely be sporting a more up-to-date version, along with a more simplified and horizontal-themed interior. The 2016 CT6 may even preview some of these changes when it makes its debut on March 31st prior to the New York Auto Show.
Comments
Will it also trickle down to SRX or XT5? Considering srx have the same ones found in the ats
Count me as one who dislikes the cheap looking ATS instrument cluster. Frankly I think that de Nysschen sidestepped the issue with his “cut and sewn” reply.
It’s good to hear that they’re working to correct this as I think it’s a definite weak point for the ATS. I agree with the person who asked the question that, even though the rest of the interior is nice, the cluster stands out as looking cheap, even with the up-level version. Luckily, the full-color HUD is what the driver sees more than the actual gauges.
For Sam/GMA: It didn’t appear to me that the ATS-V had a different gauge cluster (aside from a V emblem inside the speedometer) than the Performance/Premium ATS, as you suggest in the second paragraph. I definitely would have liked to see the reconfigurable digital dash make its way to the ATS-V, but that doesn’t seem to be available.
There’s a photo of the ATS-V dash here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gallery/2016-cadillac-ats-v-coupe/
It’s not a different cluster. It’s the same cluster with a red outline replacing the blue. We’ve updated your link for more pics of the cluster.
The article suggests that the ATS V-series has an upgraded instrument cluster. I had not heard that before. Can anyone confirm or refute?
Photos show the ATS-V cluster looking nearly identical to the blue ones but with red outlining and slightly different font. I realize now this is a very minor change, so i’ve edited the article to reflect this.
Thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks should go to Caddyzig who posted a minute before I did and who included a photo of the ATS-V cluster.
VW PASSAT
I for one -hate- digital gauges. But even more I have touch screens that just take up sapce. EVEN MORE I despise glossy touch-only central console. What an abomination (looking good at first glance in never used, I’ll give it that).
I strongly believe second generation CTS had the best interior.
Of course this all is my opinion, but seriously, touch controls isn’t practical or safe.
Captcha: hersy
“I strongly believe second generation CTS had the best interior.”
I look forward cadillac CT6. and we see that the technology. Reach currently for sale and sale of Cadillac is a bit modest instrument cluster
doday tehnolgy is digital gauges. digital gauges designs are great options. how a car manufacturer will be able to resolve on their own digital gauges . It is like an art.
solutions are very different. is important for designers to work here. I’m not saying do not quite manual gauges or 50:50 gauges digital, manual.
However, only the gauges are not the most important thing in all the other little details are very important. Digital gauges are not eneam nowadays the most important point, and this solution is very different machines.
It is important to try to be ahead of all the other producers.
There is currently a very smart cadillac discuss such childish things digital gauges. Such things should be obvious cadillac
audi
Just let the CT6 get out and you will see the direction GM is going with the electronics on the interior. I expect that it will lay the ground work and we will see a explosion of innovation there.
I just hope they learned their lesson on the Cue that things need to be instantly user friendly for the first time user and not one who has had a week to play with it.
You notice those who used Cue for the first time hated it but once they learned it they found it not bad. You can not afford to do that with the dash of the car.
I like and prefer metal looking gauges.. maybe metallic looking gauges with a digital element for navigation?
I have no problem with the LED gauges currently used in the ATS and SRX and lower end Collection models in CTS and XTS. It is a matter of opinion and what you like. I just think some people like to nitpick and I rather for the money be spent on genuine premium materials like wood, leather, metal, chrome, microfiber suede and carbon fiber. As long the gauges work and accurate, it does not bother me what they look like.
Cadillac dashboards and Cue SUCK royally. There sure are a lot of things required to catch-up to the German brands and they are a moving target.
10 more years. will GM have the staying power?
The ATS instrument cluster is by far THE BEST in the industry. I am not sure what the author and a lot of the commenters are objecting against.
The BMW red color scheme is awful where the Cadillac ATS has a very pleasing harmonic colors scheme that fits nicely into the luxurious environment. The Mercedes clusters have this tiny useless tall and narrow center display panel between 2 round analog gauges, when the ATS bottom center screen is wide and configurable and very usefull.
I own a Cadillac CTS with almost all the options, and I opted for the inexpensive gauge cluster because it gives me crisper contrast than the full screen upscale unit, while providing similar configuarbility.
Certainly, nobody can beat Tesla 🙂
I will give an idea to GM if he wants to be a pioneer in the industry, why not place the “HUD” system not only in the dashboard but also for CUE screen; can see on the windshield?
It will be a little more security
Cadillac interiors rank among the worst in the business. My gen2 Chevy Volt’s interior is superior to that of the ATS when it comes to quality and ergonomics. Slip into an ATS and you’re overwhelmed by tacky design cues like chrome and shiney black plastic, ridiculous haptic touch sensors, and a play-skool instrument cluster.
CUE is proof that turds rise to the top of the punch bowl at GM; the graphics are cheesy and it’s downright dangerous to use while driving. I can change climate settings in my Chevy with a milisecond glance from the road yet the ATS nearly requires one to pull off the road to safely adjust HVAC settings.
The ATS interior has cost Cadillac countless sales. Disgruntled BMW guys who check out the ATS for it’s driving dynamics simply cannot stomach the interior, not after having owned BMWs with serious instrument clusters and controls.
It’s bizzare because the exterior of the ATS is so gorgeous. I love the how the restraint and subtlety of the design result in one’s appreciation building the more one sees it from various angles. It’s like the girl next door who one slowly realizes is the most beautiful woman in town.
Cadillac needs to give their exterior designers a raise and the freedom to follow their inspiration. Take the interior designers out back and put them down for the good of the humanity.