2019 XT4 Is First Cadillac Ever To Use Electro-Hydraulic Braking Assist

In addition to introducing an all-new 2.0L turbo LSY engine, next-generation Electronic Precision Shift, and a new layout for interior controls, the 2019 XT4 is also the first-ever Cadillac vehicle to implement ‘Electro-Hydraulic Braking Assist’ technology. The inclusion of the feature was first uncovered by our friends at Cadillac Society.

Having already been implemented by other automakers, Electro-Hydraulic Braking Assist “supplants the traditional vacuum-assisted power braking system with an electro-hydraulic system that enhances fuel economy and takes up less space under the hood”, according to Cadillac.

The “electro” in ‘electro-hydraulic system’ refers to an electronic actuator which eliminates the need to pull vacuum from the engine/manifold, thus being more efficient while also reducing the amount of vacuum lines under the hood.

Cadillac wasn’t very forthcoming about the exact efficiency gains about the technology, but looking at it from that standpoint might be missing the forest for the trees, since the more relevant point is that Electro-Hydraulic Braking Assist is capable of functioning without the engine running, which is useful for hybrids, PHEVs, and other electrified alternative-energy vehicles. As such, including Electro-Hydraulic Brake Assist in the XT4 will likely make it much easier for GM/Cadillac to introduce hybridized versions of the vehicle in the future.

More On Cadillac XT4

The 2019 XT4 will start at $35,790 (including destination) when it goes on sale this fall. The vehicle will be assembled at the GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City. Order books are already open, meaning that customers can already place their order.

More information about the 2019 Cadillac XT4 is available at the following links:

2019 Cadillac XT4 Photo Gallery
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A car-loving millennial. We Are!

Francisco Cruz

A car-loving millennial. We Are!

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  • What it does is improve the assist under some conditions when vacuume is low.

    The LNF suffered low vacuume upon start up and the vehicles had to be retro fitted with a vacuume pump to give it assist for he first min or so.

    Mine would have no assist for first start of the day till the pump was added. It made backing up exciting some times with a rock hard pedal.

    • Neither the LTG nor the LSY gen 3 suffer from the low brake assist issues present in the LNF. This move is the first step to decouple the brake boost from the engine for hybrids, also serving to decrease costs... not to fix some issue you had with an engine that was designed over a decade ago and that is no linger in production.

  • The biggest problem with turbo engines and vacuum after a cold start is due the catalyst light-off strategy. Direct injection allows even more spark retard - combustion happens so late that most of the energy/heat goes out the exhaust to get the converter hot / efficient as fast as possible - this leads to opening up the throttle to near WOT conditions. Some engines can actually see boost during cat light off. Your first D or R engagement can literally send you rolling along, even though your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. :)

  • Caddy had the ELR and has the CT6s, both are PHEVs; the primary purposes are most likely making it as light as possible even if its only a few grams less and lower costs...

  • "As such, including Electro-Hydraulic Brake Assist in the XT4 will likely make it much easier for GM/Cadillac to introduce hybridized versions of the vehicle in the future."

    I do hope so! I will wait until the XT4 is a hybrid or plug-in before buying it.

    • Who want this?

      Apparently more than who want a coupe of any kind. Watch XT4 sales sky rocket... and then fund a coupe version of Cadillac sedans. Cold, hard reality.

      ATS coupe is still around by the way, homie.

      • Yeah, this is not my kind of car, but it will sell well. The XT4 appears to be a good product overall and will likely become Cadillac’s best seller very quickly.

        They need to get the XT5 on the same chassis as the CT5 ASAP. It looks too much like a mom mobile with the current front drive proportions.

  • RE 1st time. Maybe not so. In the 1990's Cad ( don't know which model) had an EH Brake boost. I believe parts of it were manufactured at the old Delco Products in Rochester, NY

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