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.
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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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhptPf-Hovo
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."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztVMib1T4T4
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3XXUhUo3ik
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.