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CADILLAC GOES AFTER NEW GENERATION WITH XT4 SUV


Cadillac is taking aim at the SUV market with an all new approach beginning with the XT4, a compact SUV tailored for the next generation of luxury customers. The XT4 was unveiled at Cadillac house in New York. It's an important new vehicle for Cadillac because the compact SUV segment is the fastest growing luxury segment.

“The first-ever 2019 Cadillac XT4 expands our successful SUV lineup to a segment where Cadillac has never been before,” said Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen. “And it sets off a new product offensive that will see the reveal of a new Cadillac once every six months until 2021.”

The XT4 makes use of simple clean, sculpted lines that create a feeling of power, with a sense of aggressiveness. Inside the cabin appears to be refined with excellent fit and finish. There is exceptional rear seat room and plenty of cargo space. Under the hood Cadillac is using a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine, which makes use of General Motors' Active Fuel Management technology, which turns off cylinders when not needed. The engine is mated to a nine speed automatic transmission with GM's next-generation Electronic Precision Shift. Cadillac is showcasing its new global Y-Trim strategy on the XT4, which provides a premium level of features and upgrades.

Additional XT4 highlights include:

Cadillac user experience with all-new rotary controller Smart chassis features including available twin-clutch, decoupling all-wheel drive Available Active Sport Suspension featuring Continuous Damping Control and new electro-hydraulic braking assist

STYLE WITH SUBSTANCE

Cadillac turned to a new generation of young designers to create the XT4, hoping their perspective will help them capture the attention of today's new generation of SUV buyers.

“The XT4 has a great presence that is confident and poised,” said Therese Pinazzo, exterior design manager. “It exudes Cadillac’s DNA, but with a new boldness that speaks to the youthfulness of its team and its customers.”

In keeping with Cadillac’s new “Y” trim strategy, the Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport models offer distinctive styling cues and trim finishes to create unique personas and greater choice for customers. XT4 Sport models feature a gloss black mesh grille inspired by Cadillac’s high-performance V-Series models, gloss black window moldings and specific Sport alloy wheel choices. Luxury and Premium Luxury models feature grilles with bright metallic accents, satin aluminum window moldings and satin chrome-accented door handles.

All models feature advanced LED lighting technology front and rear, with front LED low and high beams and an LED-illuminated light blade for the daytime running lamps. Cadillac’s vertical L-shaped lighting signature is stretched horizontally, emphasizing the XT4’s width and confident stance.

Standard LED taillights are housed in traditional red lenses on Luxury and Premium Luxury, while the Sport model receives tinted neutral-density (clear) lenses that complement the generally darker exterior color choices.

Eight exterior colors will be offered on the 2019 XT4 at launch: Atlantic Metallic, Autumn Metallic, Crystal White Tricoat, Twilight Blue Metallic, Shadow Metallic, Red Horizon Tintcoat, Stellar Black Metallic and Radiant Silver Metallic.

“With the XT4’s interior, we distilled Cadillac to its essence,” said Phillip Kucera, Interior Design manager. “We’ve been able to be simpler and bolder than we have ever been before, giving the SUV attitude and a sporty connotation.”

The XT4 is expected to lead the segment in rear-seat roominess, with 39.5 inches (1,004 mm) of legroom. The XT4 also offers 48.9 cubic feet (1,385 liters) of maximum cargo volume with the rear seat folded.

"The XT4 was envisioned holistically to deliver a dynamic sporty exterior without compromising comfort and functionality for passengers,” said Cadillac Exterior Design Director Jim Fleming, who helped create the vehicle’s architecture.

“It’s a great balance that delivers style and comfort on long drives such as a weekend getaway to a favorite ski slope, while still offering excellent cargo room for that ski trip’s gear.”

Additional interior features and highlights include:

The thick, three-spoke, leather-wrapped steering wheel is all new and was developed to enhance the sporty feel of the vehicle while maintaining driver comfort on long drives. Sport-inspired seating with prominent seat-bottom and seatback bolsters balances comfort with the kind of support typically found in sports sedans. A massage feature is available. Available white ambient lighting casts a sophisticated glow and highlights important features. Technology integration includes Cadillac’s first rotary controller for the Cadillac user experience and other vehicle features (see below for more information), along with streamlined vehicle controls for easier, more intuitive use. At launch, the 2019 XT4 will be offered in seven interior environments, based on Luxury, Premium Luxury or Sport trims: XT4 Luxury — Light Platinum/Jet Black with Aluminum Metallized decor trim XT4 Premium Luxury — Jet Black with Diamond-Cut Aluminum, Light Platinum/Jet Black with Linear Galaxy High-Gloss Wood, Sedona/Jet Black with Fineline Calico High-Gloss Wood XT4 Sport — Jet Black with Cinnamon Accents with Twenty-Two High-Gloss Carbon Fiber, Light Wheat/Jet Black with Red Accents and Morello Red High-Gloss Carbon Fiber, Sedona/Jet Black with Fineline Calico High-Gloss Wood

INTUITIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Cadillac's user experience, the brand’s most advanced infotainment interface, means the XT4 offers a connected environment.

The new controller includes volume and seek forward/back controls for the audio system; shortcut buttons for fast access to the most frequently used apps such as Audio, Phone, Navigation (if available) and Home; and a large center dial to operate primary features of the most frequently used apps, scroll menus and lists and select other apps to be displayed.

Additional XT4 technologies include:

The 8-inch Cadillac user experience interface screen has 768p HD resolution Near-Field Communication, a Cadillac-first integration, greatly improves the process of pairing a phone (if compatible) with Cadillac user experience. Next-generation, 15-watt wireless charging is available and offers faster charging times[1]. There are four standard USB Ports and three 12-volt accessory power outlets[2]. Models equipped with the available navigation radio also receive an SD memory card reader in the center console. The full suite of active safety features includes Surround Vision and second-generation Rear Camera Mirror (available)[3].

XT4 DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS

The engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger to enhance torque production at lower speeds, as well as direct injection, active thermal management and stop/start technologies. You get 237 horsepower from the motor. A twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system is available and offers the convenience of decoupling entirely from the rear wheels when the driver chooses, eliminating drive-train friction. XT4 Sport’s available Active Sport Suspension features Continuous Damping Control and takes driving dynamics and control to a higher threshold, using electronic sensors to monitor the road in real time and making damping adjustments every 2 milliseconds. The XT4 is also the first Cadillac to introduce electro-hydraulic braking assist, which 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.

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