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Cadillac XT5 platform to underpin three-row crossover

Cadillac just launched the XT5 crossover to replace the SRX. But that's only the start. Speaking with Automotive News, Caddy president Johan de Nysschen confirmed that a new three-row crossover is also on the way. The seven-seater is based on a stretched version of the flexible platform underpinning the XT5, which we just drove recently. Taking that approach will give the luxury brand a larger crossover to pit against the likes of the Infiniti QX60, Audi Q7, and Volvo XC90 without having to develop one from scratch. It will also give buyers a more car-like alternative to the larger, truck-based Escalade. "It's one of the benefits of having this very flexible architecture. We can expand it, make it longer and wider. That gives us the ability to develop the car very quickly, as opposed to starting from scratch," de Nysschen told AN. "It's not running yet. It is a program request that we initiated with the engineers only last year. They are working at remarkable, record-breaking speed to get us the car." The new model would likely be called the XT7 and offer similar levels of equipment to the existing, smaller XT5. The existing mid-size model packs a 3.6-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes in four trim levels. Related Video:

Cadillac confident attitude will attract the elite to ELR plug-in hybrid [w/video]

Cadillac is not going to pull any punches when it comes to promoting its plug-in hybrid ELR. In the real world, the company is showing off the Wreath And Crest's coupe with Chevy Volt technology at exclusive events with "groups whose members are affluent, green-minded and have an appreciation for design and innovation," says Automotive News. That evidently means young Hollywood celebrities and other well-to-do demographics. As Cadillac global chief Bob Ferguson recently told the industry publication, "If you live on the West Coast and you're an architect and you've given to environmental causes, you're probably going to hear about the ELR. We have sliced and diced who is likely to buy this vehicle." "We have sliced and diced who is likely to buy this vehicle" - Cadillac's Bob Ferguson In the realm of advertising, Cadillac evidently thinks a fast-talking, USA-USA-USA! Type-A personality is just the kind of guy who will convince those celebrities and architects to buy one. For proof, look no further than the star of this new ELR ad called Poolside that Cadillac is airing during the Olympics. There are almost no details about the ELR in this ad, just a whole lot of attitude mixed with humor (the "We got bored" line is funny). In fact, there's almost no indication that the ELR is an extended-range hybrid at all. Short of a brief moment where our hero, actor Neil McDonough, unplugs his car from its charging station, you'd probably never know it's got an EV mode at all. That's undoubtedly a calculated bet by Cadillac, whose ad execs have undoubtedly noted that most electric cars are not selling well with an eco-first message, so they appear to be going with style and swagger instead. Scroll below to see what we mean. The ELR has a starting MSRP of $75,000, and at that price, it's already out of reach for most Americans. Automotive News suggests that annual ELR production is likely to be just shy of 5,000 units, so Cadillac could be on stable ground trying to appeal to such a limited number of buyers. What type of buyers? Well, that remains to be seen. Related Gallery 2015 Cadillac ELR: First Drive View 25 Photos News Source: Cadillac, Automotive News - sub. req. via YouTubeImage Credit: Gallery images copyright 2014 Michael Harley / AOL Green Cadillac Electric Hybrid PHEV cadillac elr elr poolside

2019 Cadillac XT4 interior has actual buttons, no more touch-sensitive panel

Cadillac makes some highly stylish cars that are excellent to drive. In the realm of infotainment, there was room for improvement. The CUE infotainment system is infamous for being complex and annoying. One particular sore point was the touch-sensitive panels used for basic functions and their unrefined, "haptic feedback" clunk. Thankfully, spy photos show that Cadillac is changing tack both with buttons and infotainment controls in general. As seen above, there don't appear to be any capacitive buttons in sight. Instead, the XT4 has the "piano-key" buttons that are in vogue now. The most prominent are metal-finish buttons that control climate settings indicated by corresponding symbols above the buttons. Below that are additional buttons for seat controls and at least one safety feature, the parking warning. These should be vastly easier to manipulate than tapping and hoping you've engaged the correct function. This doesn't mean there won't be any touch-sensitive controls available, but they've at least been minimized. Other physical controls we spotted are down on the center console near the shifter. It looks as though the CT6's odd touchpad won't be making an appearance in the XT4 as there seems to be a more conventional knob instead. If it's indeed for the infotainment system, it would be a redundant controller as the upper screen's home button and fingerprints would indicate it's very much touch-operated. Like other Cadillacs and GM products in general, it's safe to say that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available and possibly standard. There are a couple other interesting additions besides the physical controls. There's a Near Field Communications (NFC) logo embossed in the dashboard, indicating the car will support NFC pairing of phones. The XT4 also dispatches the more traditional mechanical shifter for a more modern monostable joystick like the found in some Buicks, but with a different shape. We're currently expecting the XT4 to be revealed late in 2018. It will be based on the Chevy Malibu platform, it'll probably stick with turbocharged four-cylinder power, and offer front- and all-wheel drive. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Cadillac XT4 spy shots View 19 Photos Image Credit: Brian Williams Spy Photos Cadillac Technology Infotainment Crossover SUV Luxury cue cadillac xt4 cadillac cue