Press Release
Design
Visually bridging the gap between performance sedan and SUV, the innovative, bold styling of the Cadillac SRX remains as eye-catching today as it did on its introduction in 2004.
With its bold lines and long, lean look, SRX stands out in a world of soft shapes. Its head-turning design is a prime example of Cadillac's overall design theme to create vehicles that make an immediate, emotional connection with buyers.
“There was no middle ground - SRX had to be bold enough to make an immediate connection, to stand out in an increasingly crowded segment,” says Kip Wasenko, exterior vehicle designer. “Collectively, SRX's design features blend power and performance, athletic strength and refinement, visually expressing its combination of utility and performance. In short, it's what a utility with the heart and soul of a sedan looks like.”
The Cadillac SRX blends the look of an SUV with the bold, eye-pleasing sporting lines first seen with the CTS sedan. It also carries traditional Cadillac family design cues such as the V-shaped grille and vertical taillights and headlamps, which first appeared on Cadillac models in 1965.
While the raised front fascia, raised rockers and command view seating are themes expressed in luxury sport utility vehicles, the SRX also follows the look of CTS with its sharp lines that cascade from front to rear, imparting a sense of motion, fluidity and dynamism. Other cues implying performance include a subtle break line forming a slight angle down the centre of the engine cover, the raked windshield and the sleek rear windows with a tapering C-pillar that is readily identifiable as a Cadillac.
Vertical headlamps with dual-projector lamps have a distinctive, modern jewel-like appearance. Their corners are rounded for more contours and to enhance aerodynamics. Tail lamps echo the vertical orientation of the headlamps and reinforce the height of the vehicle. The lamps are fast firing, instant-on LEDs. These lights have clear red lenses revealing the light facets, echoing the jewel-like quality of the headlamps.
The interior, upgraded for 2007 models, extends Cadillac's design philosophy with upscale materials, comfortable, ergonomic seats and thoughtfully placed controls and switches. The redesigned cabin uses softer surfaces, new flush-mounted switches and controls, along with enhanced storage capacity.
The new design features a clever “hidden” storage compartment on the passenger side of the instrument panel. The wood trim on the passenger side opens to reveal a wide, added storage bin above the existing glove box.
Wood trim envelops the SRX cockpit, starting on the rear doors and continuing to the front doors and through the instrument panel. The optional trim uses Sapele Pommele, a particularly rich wood from East Africa, rarely used on luxury cars. It is more often favoured by makers of fine home furnishings and high-end acoustic guitars.
While the now-universal use of front airbags on new vehicles normally requires a visible “door” or opening in the dash, the hand assembly of SRX’s instrument panel enables the passenger front airbag to be invisibly concealed. Craftsmen use a technique called “skiving” to carve tiny perforations into the reverse side of the material, through which the airbag can deploy. This eliminates the conventional plastic cover and the corresponding gaps seen on nearly all other vehicles.
SRX options include an open-air driving experience, power-operated flip-and-fold third row seat with room for up to seven passengers, or a spacious, adjustable second-row seat with flat load floor and an innovative rear cargo system.
However the most noted feature of the SRX interior is its space. At 2.96 metres, the Cadillac SRX has one of the longest wheelbases in its class, providing the ideal foundation for an exceptional amount of legroom at the back with 10 cm of fore and aft back seat travel.
Elevated seating positions ensure that not only is the driver positioned with a commanding view of the road. The “command performance” extends to rows behind, where theatre seating provides excellent visibility for all occupants. The second row seat sits 5 cm higher than the first row. The optional power-operated flip-fold third row seat rises 12 cm above the second.
This allows rear passengers to see the road ahead - or have a better view of the rear seat entertainment system. SRX has a number of optional entertainment features. These include a rear seat entertainment system with a 7-inch flip up LCD screen mounted on the back of the center console, DVD player, infrared headphones, video game jacks and a remote control. A DVD navigation system is also optional.
