Last week, Cadillac’s upcoming SRX replacement, the XT5, was spotted testing for the first time. Unsurprisingly, Cadillac had it wrapped up in black cladding and camouflage to hide their secrets from prying eyes, but this latest round of XT5 spy photos from Automobile are a little more revealing.
As far as we can tell, this is the exact same prototype that was seen testing last week. The wheels are the same, the camouflage is in all the same places and small features like the dual exhausts also match up. These photos are better lit though, and if you squint hard enough, you can see the basic outline of the grille and some of the XT5’s bodylines.
Other media outlets reported the XT5 will ride on a new platform from General Motors called C1XX, which will be reserved for front-wheel drive applications. There will be a short and long wheelbase version of C1XX, the former of which will underpin the XT5. Rumor has it the long-wheelbase C1XX platform will only be used in the upcoming Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse replacements.
Interestingly, Automobile believes C1XX won’t underpin the new SRX. They think this prototype is riding on a modified version of the SRX’s Theta platform, mainly because the dimensions appear very similar if not the same.
Under the hood will likely be the 2.0-liter turbocharged LTG four-cylinder found in the Cadillac ATS and CTS, along with a V6 option. It would be nice to see an XT5 Vsport with Cadillac’s twin-turbocharged LF3 V6 under the hood to do battle with vehicles like BMW’s X5 35i, but we’ve heard nothing indicating Cadillac is interested in such a vehicle.
The XT5 will be built at GM’s plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. alongside another midsize vehicle, which GM has yet to announce. Information from GM suppliers close to the project indicated the XT5 will be built alongside a new GMC model with a shared platform, possibly the next-gen Terrain, though GM has remained tight-lipped on the matter.
Comments
For engines I want to see the 2.0 turbo as the base and push out 300 hp and 300 lbft of torque. Good, mainstream, volume engine. Then a Vsport would be awesome. 3.6TT with 420 hp and 430 lbft of torque would be a machine. 0-60 in just under 5 seconds and sign me up for one. Its time for Cadillac to start getting into the performance SUV/CUV market and this would be a great start.
It’s looking good. In shots #3 and #4 of the 9 one can clearly see the rear roof profile. Sweeet.
Wish they would integrate the side mirrors in the windows and do away with extra window frame, they don’t look good on any vehicle and I’m sure they have a negative effect on sales. Some people pay attention to details like this when comparing cars, it makes a big difference in appearance..
I agree. Front quarter windows look like ridiculous afterthoughts, and for me I would never own a car with one.
Looks like the front clip will be flatter than the current models . One thing I was hoping was that they would hide the gas tank , looking at it from the rear you see it . Some people I know actually paint it flat black a to attempt to hide it , Same with the Terrain and Nox .
That is not the gas tank it is the Muffler.
To be honest they use a little better grade stainless on it so it keep the silver shine and does not look like crap. If it were painted painted one in time it will peel and look even worse in some climates.
There is just little room to hide a large muffler on these with the AWD and short rear over hang.
the small window I feel is to cut down on the thick a pillar as these cars need to meet roof crush standards and they want to lay the window back more. The little window opens up a little more vision.
I hate them too but there are times driving my Terrain I can have a whole car hidden in the A pillar.
Also it helps in getting the side window going into the door.
I am still not a fan of them but I do understand why they are there.
2.0T add to the new crossover? Will the vehicle be lightened, as the CTS was?
This is a good question. This C1XX platform is new, but it is nowhere near as capable as Alpha on which the ATS and CTS are built. Hoping that the SRX/XT5 after this will go alpha.