2009 CADILLAC SRX CROSSOVER BLENDS SPORT SEDAN RESPONSIVENESS WITH SUV SPAC
06/09/2008
Cadillac
The acclaimed Cadillac SRX crossover continues to offer one of the segment's most satisfying combinations of sports sedan-like driving character and SUV spaciousness. It delivers these attributes with the dramatic design, technology and craftsmanship that are driving Cadillac's ongoing renaissance.
For 2009, the SRX crossover maintains its distinctively styled exterior and luxurious interior. Performance is derived from either a 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing or a powerful 4.6L Northstar V-8 that is renowned for its power and smoothness.
The '09 SRX also features the popular Adaptive Remote Start system, which starts the engine, can adjust cabin temperature to personal preferences, engage the defrosters and activate the available heated seats from up to 200 feet away.
Cadillac's dramatic design
The SRX is instantly recognizable as a Cadillac and yet is unlike anything else on the road. The family resemblance to CTS and Escalade is immediately evident; its Cadillac bloodline shows through in its chiseled vertical taillamps and headlamps and V-shaped grille. At the same time, it clearly stands out from its European and Japanese competitors.
A range of 17-, 18- and 20-inch wheels gives the SRX a decidedly sporty appearance that is augmented by a wide, confident stance. The performance-oriented aesthetic is reinforced by sleek bodywork that is wrapped over the wheels for a tailored, well-crafted look.
The SRX has the largest sunroof system available in the segment. The optional UltraView sunroof provides the fun of an open-air driving experience. It extends to provide 5.6 square feet (0.52 square meters) of open air over the first- and second-row seats and integrates a retractable power shade.
Interior style, space and comfort
SRX seats up to seven passengers when equipped with the optional third-row seat. The second-row seat provides a generous 41 inches (104 cm) of legroom and folds virtually flat. The available third-row seat power-folds into the floor at the push of a button and it also feature cupholders. A power liftgate is standard.
The instrument panel and door trim are built using Cadillac's "cut-and-sew" interior process that combines advanced technology with the hand-rendered expertise of expert craftsmen. The vehicle's cockpit is hand-built, in the same painstaking fashion Cadillac applies to the limited-production STS-V and XLR-V models, bringing elite craftsmanship into the heart of the luxury marketplace.
In addition to numerous storage areas, an optional rear cargo management system, available as an alternative to the third-row seat, offers three cargo compartments and includes a removable storage bin. It's perfect for stowing anything from a car care or emergency kit to sports equipment to DVDs or CDs for a long drive. For still more cargo packing, large side storage bins along the rear cargo area are standard.
Standard amenities include dual-zone climate control; auto-dimming inside mirror with compass and OnStar controls; eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat; steering wheel controls for the audio, cruise control and climate systems; and leather seating surfaces. Heated seats and rear air conditioning are available.
SRX's in-vehicle electronics and entertainment are luxury-caliber. They include a standard
CD stereo and premium Bose eight-speaker sound system; a Bose 5.1 Digital Surround system is available. Also available is a "theater" package consisting of Bose 5.1 Digital Surround, DVD navigation and rear-seat DVD entertainment.
3.6L and 4.6L engines
The SRX features two engine combinations: the 4.6L Northstar V-8 VVT (variable valve timing) or the 3.6L V-6 VVT. Both are available in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The sophisticated and technically advanced V-8 engine generates 320 horsepower (239 kW) at 6400 rpm and 315 lb.-ft. of torque (427 Nm) at 4400 rpm. It features electronic throttle control, multi-port injection, aluminum block and cylinder heads, a forged steel crankshaft and phasers on all four camshafts to control valve timing throughout the entire operating range.
The 3.6L V-6 VVT makes 255 horsepower (190 kW) at 6500 rpm and 254 lb.-ft. of torque (344 Nm) at 2800 rpm. The all-aluminum, 60-degree four cam 24-valve powerplant features fully variable valve timing of the intake and exhaust valves, a dual-stage variable intake manifold, electronic throttle control, multi-port fuel injection, two-stage roller chain cam drive, aluminum block and cylinder heads and a forged steel crankshaft.
Transmissions
The 6L50 Hydra-Matic six-speed electronically controlled transmission is standard on RWD and AWD versions of the V-8, and provides increased performance and fuel efficiency. It features a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that delivers strong launch acceleration yet provides "tall" overdrive ratios that decrease engine rpm to enhance fuel economy and reduce noise while cruising. Estimates by GM engineers have shown a nearly 7-percent improvement in 0-60 mph times and up to a 4-percent improvement in fuel efficiency.
The V-6 engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 5L40, a fully electronic five-speed automatic transmission. The 5L40 features an innovative dual-plate torque converter and a separate, highly refined transmission control module with expanded power and memory. The 5L40 transmission features Driver Shift Control (with clutchless manual shifting), electronically controlled engine braking and downgrade detection with brake assist.
The V-6 AWD model features a 50/50 torque split, providing a distribution of torque consistent with the vehicle's weight distribution for better handling and traction.
Ride and handling
The Cadillac-exclusive architecture features the longest wheelbase in its class and helps provide superior ride quality and dynamic stability. A near 50-50 weight distribution, low center of gravity, outstanding powertrain combinations and GM's StabiliTrak stability control system help SRX deliver a fine balance between sports car performance and refined ride quality.
StabiliTrak is a fully electronic system that coordinates subsystems such as braking, suspension, steering, traction control and powertrain controls to optimize overall vehicle stability and control.
It acts instantaneously to reduce the likelihood of spins and excessive oversteer or understeer by improving handling performance and enhancing vehicle stability when the car approaches its limits. It helps correct a potential slide or loss of control before the driver is aware of it.
Magnetic Ride Control, pioneered by Cadillac in 2003, provides state-of-the-art, continuously variable real-time damping at each wheel independently and is available on V-8 models.
SRX Sport package
SRX is available with a sport package to make the exterior better communicate its performance driving character. The SRX Sport is an option package featuring front and rear sport fascias, new body-color grille with V-Series-style mesh backing, 4-inch dual polished exhaust tips, six-speed automatic with Driver Shift control, and optional 20-inch Sport wheels with performance tires (V-8 models). It also features all-wheel drive and a limited slip differential, the first time Cadillac has applied this performance differential to an AWD model.
Safety
Designed to offer excellent occupant safety and crash management, the SRX's safety story starts with its robust body structure. It uses high-strength steel in key areas to help uphold the integrity of the passenger compartment in the event of a crash. Carefully designed crumble zones at the front and rear also absorb much of the energy of a crash.
Additional occupant safety features include the following:
Dual-stage frontal air bags with passenger sensing system
Side-impact air bags for the driver and right-front passenger
Head curtain side air bags for front and rear seating rows
Tire pressure monitoring system
Also standard is Cadillac's ultrasonic rear parking assist feature. It uses LED lights and audible sounds to warn the driver of people or objects directly behind the vehicle.
OnStar-equipped SRX models feature OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, a fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle's stereo as needed, triggered by the OnStar system's GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. New for 2009 is Turn-by-Turn's eNav feature that allows the MapQuest directions to be sent directly to the vehicle.