Last year, GM filed to trademark “Sport Control AWD,” but as we covered back in July, the filing was eventually abandoned. Now, we’ve learned that the trademark was originally intended for twin-clutch Cadillac AWD offerings.
Citing sources familiar with Cadillac’s initial plans for the trademark, a recent report from our sister publication, Cadillac Society, indicates that the trademark was slated for branding purposes with regard to the current twin-clutch drivetrain in use with various Cadillac models.
Apparently, the Sport Control AWD branding was slated for the latest twin-clutch Cadillac AWD system system found in the Sport trim levels for the Cadillac XT4, Cadillac XT5, and Cadillac XT6 crossovers.
However, plans to implement the brand were never fully executed, leading to GM abandoning the Sport Control AWD trademark altogether.
According to the Cadillac Society report, it’s still not clear if GM will end up branding the current twin-clutch Cadillac AWD system.
There is currently just one dealer-facing document that mentions the abandoned trademark. In referencing the Cadillac XT5, the document describes the all-wheel-drive system as “Axle, electronic positraction, twin-clutch, Sport Control AWD.”
For reference, the current twin-clutch Cadillac AWD system features continuously variable power delivery, with as much as 100 percent of available torque sent to either the front or rear axle. The electronic rear differential is also capable of sending all available power to either the left or rear wheel.
The system maximizes grip on a variety of surfaces and conditions. What’s more, the twin-clutch system includes a “disconnect” feature that routes all available power to the front wheels, reducing fuel consumption and emissions in the process.
While we think it’s a great idea for GM to brand the twin-clutch Cadillac AWD system á la Cadillac’s various European competitors (for example, the Audi quattro system, BMW xDrive, or Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC), we’ll have to wait and see if the automaker actually follows through on that front. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac XT4 news, Cadillac XT5 news, Cadillac XT6 news, Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Source: Cadillac Society
Comments
much like most other luxury automakers have done over the past decade, including BMW xDrive, Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC, and Audi Quattro.” – Quattro is well over 30 years old, I had an EClass 4-Matic in 2006, so perhaps BMW’s AWD is branded in the last 10 yrs, however I don’t see that as a good use of resources. Quattro doesn’t have the “cache” it once did as its mechanical vs MB’s 4Matic which is much more light weight. That said I used to have a 2003 A6 Quattro (perhaps my favorite car) then the E500 4Matic… their systems were seamless and kept the vehicles planted. Awesome systems. I see these systems as simply AWD and nothing especially special about them, other than GM trying to once again, “me too” for Cadillac, vs doing something really clever, really special, and really innovative. NO ONE is going to run to a Cad dealer because of the AWD System which they can get on an Equinox…
Another mixed message, another swing and miss… really terrible leadership and execution
Yep,
This is just more of GM thinking they have something great when its just catching up with the competition !!!
Sure, it is great for GM and Cadillac, but again relatively nothing more than has been offered by others !!
More GM arrogance !!!!!
Please get more power in these Cadillac SUVs !!!!!!
Please revamp your Customer support network, or lack of !!!!!!
My opinion
If I was Cadillac, I wouldn’t use words as they are too confusing in foreign markets. My guess is that’s why they dropped the trademark application. I would suggest that Instead of Sport-Control AWD, perhaps just “S-C AWD” would be a better option. I like the sound of XT6 S-C AWD.
You forgot the newton meters.
XT6 – 300 – S-C – AWD
HAHA. So True
Perfect……. and sooooo awful!
Did they hire someone from Microsoft to come up with the name?
They already seem to be using the name in their advertising:
https://youtu.be/4lP8rJPV75c
“Dynamic AWD Directional Torque Vectoring Multi-Phase Electronic 4-Corner Traction Control Modulation Technology.”
Yeah… That’ll catch on.