Though we can confidently say that, despite numerous other reports, the 2016 Cadillac XT5 will sit out the upcoming New York Auto Show, Cadillac is continuing to work on the SRX replacement. The XT5 was caught undergoing testing out in the open once again, though it’s still wrapped in distorting camouflage and body cladding.
What do we know about the Cadillac XT5? For starters, it will ride on General Motors’ new C1XX platform (pronounced Chi). The new front-wheel drive, transverse-engined platform will be available in regular and long wheelbase configurations, thereby replacing the Theta Premium and and Lambda platforms. Additionally, C1XX will be capable of cradling a wide range of GM engines, including four- and six-cylinder motors.
What does all of this mean for the XT5? We’re glad you asked. The XT5 will ride on the “regular” wheelbase of the C1 platform, itself a derivative of the upcoming E2XX architecture that will succeed GM’s ubiquitous Epsilon platform. We expect the SRX’s atmospheric 3.6-liter V6 LFX to carry over to the XT5, with a turbo-charged V6 as well as a plug-in hybrid powertrain to be a possibility.
Shifting duties in the XT5 will be performed by the upcoming nine-speed automatic transmission being co-developed by GM and Ford. GM is responsible for the nine-speed gearbox for front-drive applications, while Ford is taking the lead on the ten-speed unit for rear-drive applications. The XT5 will also offer all-wheel drive as an option.
Stay tuned as we provide you the latest details on the upcoming Cadillac XT5 as we find out more, and check out the spy pics here.
Comments
Before anyone get excited there is a AWD RWD SUV coming too.
There really is a solid CUV market for this one too.
Yeah, yeah, yeah! We know that! They’d better have one coming!!!
But my question with this new Cadillac SRX replacement is how much is going to be done to better distinguish it from the upcoming onslaught of C1XX and E2XX based vehicles? Besides exterior/interior design and content. With the upcoming Buick Envision, Enclave, GMC Terrain and Acadia, (all of which will carry premium pricetags and content) what will make the Caddy worth the value over these vehicles? Because it looks to me like there’ll be quite a bit of overlap with all these CUV/SUV’s coming out of GM!
Precisely, @Jamel. The interesting part is that the next-gen Acadia and the XT5 will use the regular wheelbase C1XX, while the long wheelbase will be used for the next-gen Enclave and Traverse:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-platforms/c1xx/
So much for the “new Cadillac” being its own thing. You don’t see BMW, Mercedes, or Audi mid-size crossovers sharing their midsize CUV architectures with lesser models. With Cadillac going after BMW, the decision to share a “lesser” architecture is surprising.
Actually you’re incorrect in that Audi shares it SUV and CUV platforms with VW. For instance the Audi Q3 is based on the VW Golf platform. Also Mercedes uses Nissan motors in it’s new CLA sedan and GLA CUV… But more importantly wait and see what’s what. Some of this is speculation and for the record platform sharing is more widely used than many know about. The Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and so on are built on old Mercedes E class platforms. Cadillac will set itself apart rest assured but there are some areas where sharing just makes good business sense for the time being.
“There really is a solid CUV market for this one too.”
Yes, there is a market for FWD-based, transverse-engined midsize crossovers. They include the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, and Lincoln MKX. What you should note is that this market is shrinking and is no longer the benchmark. Far from it, in fact. This architecture would be perfect for a midsize Buick CUV, but it flies against the new image and brand values of the “new Cadillac”.
Chris, you say Audi does not share with lower models?? Are you joking?!? The Q3 and Q5 are badge engineering jobs of the Tiguan and Touareg (spelling? I am a good speller, but I still cannot get that one right lol). Not to mention and A3 and A4 that more badge engineering jobs. It really angers me that the automotive media let’s them get away with it while slamming GM when they do the same thing.
I see your point, bronco624. Certain luxury automakers do successfully share platforms with non-luxury automakers. However, the key is in how these particular automakers successfully provide exclusive content, technology and powertrains to the vehicles they produce. Thus, the entire driving experience does a fantastic job at masquerading the non-luxury parts, making it its own vehicle. Now it’s true, the Lexus RX, Acura MDX and Lincoln MKC are based primarily on non-luxury CUV’s. And they’re all proving to be quite profitable thanks to the great value they have. (Which can be beneficial to the luxury consumer).
To Cadillac’s credit, there is quite a bit of external differences with the SRX and the Equinox/Terrain it’s based on. Hopefully the upcoming 2.7L V6 and hybrid powertrain will remain exclusive to the XT5. Nevertheless, as has been pointed out by even the GM enthusiasts on this and other automotive sites, the SRX falls short of the prestige and performance of its rivals. Since it is quite a profitable vehicle for Cadillac, I suppose it’s understandable as to why Cadillac wants to preserve what it has (albeit the cheapest way possible). But my concern is value: with Cadillac’s “aspirational” pricing strategy, will we be seeing a $15K-$20K price premium over the SRX’s corporate premium siblings?
Let’s be honest. Audi most certainly has the superior engineering and technology to provide a VW-based sedan/SUV/CUV that’ll make it distinguishable, luxurious and capable enough to fulfill the duty of being an Audi. And the media verifies this with each passing test! Unfortunately, GM simply doesn’t have the same level of tech available on their non-luxury brands to successfully co-develop a genuine, worthwhile luxury vehicle worthy of being a Cadillac. The Alpha chassis is Cadillac’s new foundation by which they can create an entire brand of exhilarating luxury vehicles, embodying the best GM has to offer in terms of performance and luxury! RWD is Cadillac’s ticket! They know it and we know it! Cadillac has even stated they wanted an All RWD lineup, I believe at one point! What they have is bringing the fight to the Germans, and is winning in some regards, but lacks in others. Now’s their chance to capitalize on it by bringing exclusive powertrains and tech to the table!
@bronc624
Wrong all around, bud.
1. The Q3 is on the MQB platform; the Tiguan is on VW’s PQ35 variant. The Tiguan will switch to MQB for the next-generation, but this is the sub-compact segment where all kinds of badging seems to be allowed. Remember, Cadillac is/was considering making its own entry into the subcompact sedan on the Cruze platform as well.
2. The Q5 is MLB. It has nothing to do with the Touareg sold currently. Now, the next-gen Touareg will likely switch to MLB2 (as is the 2016 Q7), but to bring this up as an example is to miss the point entirely. Why? For starters, the Touareg starts at $40,000. So imagine Chevy selling an Alpha-based sedan in low volume for $40,000. That’s the equivalent. Two, it’s more of a VW sharing an Audi platform than the other way around. MLB is, after all, developed by Audi.
The point is that the MLB platform is a platform worthy of Audi. It starts as an Audi then makes its way to VW. The XT5 and C1? That’s a different story.
Are you saying that you think that a Cadillac is worthy of sharing a platform that was originally developed for a Chevy/GMC/Buick? C’mon.
Cadillac is making a name for itself in making perfectly-balanced sporty luxury cars that are a pleasure to drive. The XT5 on C1XX will be none of those things, especially compared to the competition.
Not happy at all with the Front Wheel Drive, Cadillac’s Identity should be First & Foremost Rear Wheel Drive, Period!!!!
Jamel, sorry if I went a bit far there. It’s just that the badge engineering thing has been a pet peeve of mine for quite some time. I used to read both Motor Trend and Car and Driver every month, and it got really tough to take their biases. Yes, eventually I did quit even going to their websites. I still remember the one where a new BMW 3 Series died during its first test, a multi-car comparison, so they used the data from the old car and had it finish third. And of course they went on and on about how the new car’s numbers would fare even better. We all know how the article would have gone if a Detroit car had died….
Not to say GM doesn’t deserve some trashing sometimes. I still have nightmares about the Aztek. But just a touch of journalistic integrity on the part of those magazines would be nice.
The fact is they all share platforms out there and it will be come even more prevalent as they reduce the number of platforms.
The key is the execution on how the cars are done and what changed they offer that will set them apart.
As you have seen of late GM has been doing a much better job of this than in the past.
While I am not happy how close the Trax and Encore are they are based on the same platform as a Sonic that bears little resemblance.
I am expecting the Cadillac this time will be much more set apart from the other GM models. They are not just coming out of bankruptcy this time.
Greater changes will arrive in the future like their own engines and such that will give them the edge over the entire GM line.
With platform life cycles and the timing of the changes at Cadillac there is still a lot of work to do.
The new CT5 will not be a home run but it will be a triple that will take the vehicle to the next level and remain profitable.