Anticipated as a 2016 or 2017 model, the Cadillac XT5 crossover – née SRX – will make use of GM’s new Chi platform, intended as a replacement for the Lambda platform currently underpinning the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia.
According to AutoGuide, the Cadillac XT5 could actually sport two different wheelbases, thanks to the flexibility of this new platform.
The two platform subsets to underlay the new Cadillac XT5 are reportedly internally known as C1UL, and C1ULS for the lengthened version. No word yet on how much the wheelbase could be stretched in the latter of those two platforms, nor whether it will be paired exclusively with any particular drivetrain; it’s expected that the crossover will come in both FWD and AWD flavors.
Powering the new Cadillac XT5, it’s very likely that the current 3.6-liter V6 will carry over, while AutoGuide speculates that a new 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 currently in-development will also be made available. Rumors are afloat that a plug-in hybrid powertrain could join the XT5 some time after initial launch.
Comments
Nobody’s going to care. As long as the XT5 is FWD Cadillac will never get those conquest sales they need to compete in their segment.
This crossover belongs in a 1.5th or 2nd tier luxury lineup.
The perennial bestseller, the Lexus RX, is front wheel drive. MDX, too. Any other brilliant insights?
Yes. The segment Cadillac is trying to compete in is all about uncompromising luxury. German cross-shoppers are going to notice the difference in driving dynamics and design.
If Cadillac is trying to go after Lexus and Acura in that segment, I’ll ta back what I said, but if they’re going after the GLE and X5, they’d be at a disadvantage.
The RX is the best-seller because it is cheap and because it had a first-mover advantage 15 years ago since the beginning of luxury crossovers. It has a good name/reputation but is by no means the best or most respected. Let’s not forget what Cadillac is doing here: product before volume.
If we follow your train of thought, why doesn’t Cadillac just move all of its cars to FWD platforms shared with Chevy and call it a day? any other brilliant ideas?
The vast majoriry of consumers dont know what wheels have moving power. Try again
It’s not about the wheels that have moving power. It’s about what a layout does to a car’s weight distribution and ensuing drivijg experience. And that, my friend, is something consumers ultimately do care about.
Thank you Silent Electrician. Those are the points I’ve been trying to make.
I want Cadillac to get back to being considered world class. That won’t happen if part of their lineup competes with budget luxury makes like Acura. Especially not using platforms borrowed from the spartan volume brands.
The only reason the Escalade got away with that is because there’s very little competition. Even then it constantly gets panned as a gussied up Tahoe or a Yukon Denali wearing fronts.
When the SRX moved to its present FWD platform sales doubled.
Sales doubled because:
1. The price dropped
2. The new model had better marketing
Are you really suggesting that Cadillac, with its “our cars are perfectly balanced” market approach, is actually going to be effective against BMW and MB with a FWD-platformed XT5?
I wonder if the 2 wheelbase CT5 means the extended version will be a ML350 luxury crossover fighter?