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RPO Central: The 2012 Cadillac SRX Replaces 3.0L LF1 V6 With 3.6L LFX

As expected, the 2012 Caddy SRX will sport a few updates — the most notable of which is the replacement of the anemic 3.0 liter LF1 V6 (265 hp, 223 lb.-ft. of torque) with the potent 3.6 liter LFX V6 good for 300 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

As far as new features are concerned: a heated steering wheel is now part of the wood trim package, redundant door locks will be present on the driver’s door armrest, a set of new 20-inch premium painted wheels with a bright machined finish will make their debut, a bright-finish grille will make an appearance, and a D-Rings package for the U-Rail in the trunk will be available; the latter two features are LPO accessories sent to the dealer for final installation.

The updated SRX will, however, lose four exterior colors for the 2012 model year, including Imperial Blue Metallic, Platinum Ice Tricoat, Gray Flannel Metallic, and Blue Frost Metallic. Rounding out the changes are interior seating and trim materials, with the Ebony interior with Titanium accents becoming Ebony interior with Ebony accents, while leatherette seating surfaces will be replaced by leatherette seats with leather inserts.

The GM Authority Take

Surprise! After the discontinuation of the optional 2.8 liter turbo LP9 V6 in the 2011 SRX, the 2011 SRX came to carry only a single engine — the 3.0 liter LF1 V6. Initially, we were lead to believe that the 2012 SRX will offer both, the LF1 and the updated LFX as an option (in place of the 2.8 turbo).

Apparently, this will not be the case — as the LF1 is being deleted from the 2012 SRX entirely, leaving the LFX as the vehicle’s only (standard) powerplant. In other words, we get a more powerful engine in the same overall package. Take that BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML, and Lexus RX.

In any event, here are the RPO changes for 2012:

Deletions

  • Exterior color (GAP) Imperial Blue Metallic
  • Exterior color (GBR) Platinum Ice Tricoat
  • Exterior color (GBV) Gray Flannel Metallic
  • Exterior color (GLF) Blue Frost Metalic
  • (Q62) 20″ premium painted wheels
  • (LFI) 3.0L VVT DOHC V6 Engine

New Features

  • Exterior color (GTS) Xenon Blue Metallic
  • Heated steering wheel added to (44F) Wood Trim Package
  • Redundant door locks located on the armrest
  • (RTG) 20″ premium painted wheels with bright machined finish
  • (LFX) 3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 VVT Engine with (E85) FlexFuel (gas ethanol) capability
  • (VAS) LPO, Grille, bright finish
  • (5V1) LPO, U-Rail D-Rings Package

Changes

  • RPO code for (PW2) 18″ painted wheels changes to (RT4). Wheel design does not change
  • RPO code for (QF8) 18″ bright machined finish wheels changes to (RV1). Wheel design does not change
  • RPO code for (P47) 20″ Chrome Tech wheels changes to (RTU). Wheel design does not change
  • (AFA/AFC) Ebony interior with Titanium accents changes to (AFA/AFC) Ebony interior with Ebony accents
  • Leatherette seating surfaces replaced with leatherette seats with leather inserts
  • RPO code for compact spare tire changes from (ZAA) to (ZCD)

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

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Comments

  1. wait so the 3.6 for the SRX only makes 300? I thought it was suppose to be more like 308?

    Reply
    1. Nope, 300 horses and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. FWD application — so it’s not as much as the Camaro or CTS.

      Reply
  2. Weird. The current SRX Order Guide still lists:

    Engine, 3.6L SIDI DOHC V6 VVT with E85 FlexFuel (gas ethanol) capability (308 hp [229.7 kW] @ 6800 rpm, 265 lb-ft of torque [357.8 N-m] @ 2400 rpm)

    Even at 308hp, it still lags behind the CTS at 318hp, and the Camaro at 323.

    Reply
    1. That is weird. Not sure what to make of it. The press release from April reads 300 and 260 for horsepower and torque, respectively.

      Reply
  3. that’s what i exactly saw on the order guide says 308 hp

    Reply
  4. Does anyone know weather the LFX in the camaro will be able to run E85 like the cady and impala etc??

    Reply
    1. Hey Lance — we just heard back from GM about this and the answer is “no” — the Camaro won’t be able to run on E85 fuel.

      If I were to guess, performance is more important here.

      Alex
      Founder, GM Authority

      Reply
  5. Is anyone else as upset as me that they will not be offering the 2012 SRX in the platinum ice (white)??? I am just beyond belief that there will not be an option of a white car….

    Reply
    1. I’m not upset, but I don’t think it’s a sound business decision. White (Platinum Ice Tricoat in the case of the SRX) is like wheels and doors on a car: it’s an expected feature (or choice). So while BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Infiniti, Volvo, Lexus, Acura, and Lincoln continue to offer their small/mid-size crossovers in white, Cadillac doesn’t.

      Reply
      1. exactly… I’m trying to find people to call and complain because they said if enough people did, there was a possibility that the color might be added… Would you be willing?

        Reply
        1. I think that GM is paying attention just by us talking about it here. Perhaps our time would be better served by getting anyone and everyone who wants white back on the SRX to comment on this very thread.

          Other than that, I wouldn’t know who/where to call, you know? 🙂

          Reply
          1. Actually, yes, I do know who to call if you are willing. I already sent an email voicing my concerns and have also called to let them know as well. If you would be willing, call 1-800-333-4223, between 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. E.S.T., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. E.S.T., Saturday. Thanks, Natalie 🙂

            Reply
  6. Wondering if you have any info on a couple of other items.

    So they are going from the 3.0 to the 3.6. Any idea on what the gas mileage will be?

    You also note that they are deleting both of the blue colors. Any idea on what colors will be offered for 2012?
    We like the Imperial Blue but would not mind something brighter. A local dealer has one Imperial Blue left and I may need to jump on that if the 2012 colors are going to be bad.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Hey Dave,

      The 3.6 will most likely be 1-3 MPG more fuel efficient overall. The real value add here, though, is the extra power.

      As far as the colors go, take a look under “New Features” in the article above and you’ll see the addition of a new color called “Xenon Blue Metallic”. Not sure how that will look like though.

      Reply
  7. Alex,
    Thanks for the reply. I didn’t expect the MPG to be better but like it! For that size and class of vehicle it was OK. Better is, well, better.

    I did find some other info on the colors and yes, saw the Xenon Blue. I just haven’t found a good example of it. I think it is going to be brighter which is what we (mainly my wife because it will be her car) were hoping for. The Frost Blue was too light for me and the Imperial Blue was a little too dark for her. Go Xenon.

    Better mileage, sharper color. Guess we’re waiting for the 2012.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Nice! Go Xenon! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Accordind to the NADA new car report .The 2012 SRX will have emerald white not the tricoat white,the other two new colors will be Xenon blue ,also a new silver smoke metallic will be offered .

    Reply
  9. I wanted the white too. What’s the Emerald White

    Reply
    1. Im sorry I meant to say white diamond metallic .There is a shortage of paint pigment additives due to the Japan earthquake. This has caused any paint with tricoat to be short in supply! Cadillac had to tempory disconue the white tricoat .However they will not offer a car without white as one of their colors.Rest assure white will be avalable. White diamond is almost the same as summit white .You find summet white on chevrolet and Buick models along with white diamond metallic!

      Reply
      1. When I spoke with Cadillac directly, they said white would not be available. I really wanted the white as well so I just went and bought a 2011 yesterday because they’re going like flies now that people are finding out the white won’t be an option!

        Reply
        1. Did you ask cadillac if another white will be avalable?Are you sure they weren’t talking about the plantium ice tricoat only not being avalable?

          Reply
          1. I told them I thought it didn’t make any sense not to offer a white car, and they only said they were sorry. They listed to me all the colors that would be available and white was not one of them.

            Reply
        2. Well the only thing I can say,by the time the model year 2012 officially opens for the 2012, in October and the brochurs are printed in September .There will be a white offering.Right now there is a paint shortage world wide,this is due to the earthquake in Japan The additive needed for this paint was only produced in one plant in the whole world .The plant was shut down.However another plant in Europe has started production of this pigment ,which should alieveate the problem.Withen one or two months just in time for the 2012 offering .That.s when i’m ordering my 2012 SRX.

          Reply
          1. I looked it up the pigment is called (Xirallic)

            Reply
  10. Also all the other GM vehicles have heated seats that have separate back and bottom controls the 2011 had only one control. Will 2012 have separate controls. I like my back heated but NOT my butt

    Reply

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