The 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 is well-known in the automotive world for quite a few reasons. It was the last concept car by General Motors design chief Harly Earl, with futuristic design cues that made the Cyclone seem like a car well ahead of its time. A design that could only happen in the ambitious imaginations of The Rocket Age. But looks aren’t the only innovative feature of the concept, as it was even equipped with a radar detecting (like on fighter jets!) crash-avoidance.
That’s right, Cadillac has been working on the safety feature of crash-avoidance for over half a century.
“Hidden inside each one of its black nose cones, or Dagmars, is a radar-based crash-avoidance system. You know, just like the ones stashed in our grilles today. Among its advanced engineering features is a radar-locating device, which scans the highway, and warns the driver electronically of objects in its path,” reads the description on GM’s Heritage Center website. “Large, twin nose cones in the front of the car house the proximity-sensing units. They electronically alert the driver with both an audible signal and a warning light if an object is in its path.”
It’s interesting to have a look back at this technology as Cadillac prepares to release its new Super Cruise tech in the upcoming 2017 Cadillac CT6 and CTS
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
Plus, a nationwide lease on all-electric off-road Pickup and SUV.
Extra comfort for rear-seated passengers.
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That type of design and technological innovation is what Cadillac has to get back to in order to win market share and respect.
They have to push the boundaries.
Being as good is not good enough.
A lot of people fail to realize what Cadillac/GM have done in terms of innovation. They innovated the first auto climate control in the early 60s, the first mass produced trip computer/digital dash on the 78 Seville, memory seats in 58, Night Vision in 2000, Rainsense wipers in 96 and the list goes on and on.
Some of the early-60s ones had a space age-looking, auto headlight dimmer device on the dash - you could leave your brights on, and they'd automatically dim for on-coming traffic. Power-retractable antennae. Automatic station-search bar on the radio, with FM and multiple speakers.