The first generation Cadillac SRX brought General Motors' premium brand into the crossover segment, providing better fuel economy compared to similarly sized SUVs while also delivering significantly improved driving dynamics. We bought into that first-generation, rear-wheel-drive SRX when we reviewed it way back in 2007, but the luxury car-buying public apparently wasn't all that interested. Sales of the sharp handling SRX never took off, largely keeping Cadillac off of the luxury crossover gravy train long dominated by the Lexus RX 350.

Cadillac hopes to change its crossover fortunes with the introduction of the all-new 2010 SRX. This time out, the SRX is very different from the one it replaces, with a fundamental shift from a rear-wheel drive platform (with available all-wheel drive) to a front-drive setup (also with available AWD). Along with that shift in powered wheels, the 2010 model goes with smaller, more efficient powertrains. Cadillac doesn't try to hide the fact that the new SRX is gunning for the RX, but GM's designers and engineers didn't want to simply copy the strong-selling Lexus. Cadillac wanted its crossover to be more expressive inside and out, with state-of-the-art tech and superior driving dynamics. Does the new SRX have what it takes?

Follow the jump to find out.



Photos Copyright ©2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

The second-generation 2010 Cadillac SRX will be rolling into showrooms later this summer with a base price of $34,155. Jumping into the crowded luxury crossover segment, Cadillac hopes to lure customers with the SRX's fuel efficient 3.0-liter direct injected V6, technical features, and versatility. Of course, they've thrown in a dose of Cadillac's "visual appeal and driving character," says Steve Shannon, executive director of marketing for Cadillac. "We believe the Cadillac SRX offers emotional appeal to a segment previously devoid of much of that," he added.

Joining the Cadillac SRX later in the summer will be the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. The Sport Wagon mirrors the CTS sedan in design and features, yet it offers nearly double the cargo space. The standard engine in the CTS Sport Wagon will be the same 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 as is found under the hood of the upcoming SRX. Check out the press release after the jump for more details.

The Saturn Vue was supposed to be GM's first plug-in hybrid, but the pending loss of Saturn leaves the General's upcoming plug-in tech without a vehicle or brand. The Vue plug-in was originally going to arrive in 2011 in a cooperative demonstration test fleet with the U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) and nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Vice Chairman and former head of GM Powertrain Tom Stephens explained on the GM Fast Lane blog that while Saturn won't get plug-in tech, one of the four remaining brands will.

Stephens won't spill the beans with regards to which brand or vehicle will utilize plug power, but he did specify that the 2011 timing will not be effected. Bob Lutz's replacement is looking forward to speculation as to which brand and vehicle would be used, so we don't want to disappoint. Since the original time frame of the Vue plug-in launch is unchanged, we're guessing that either the Chevy Equinox or Cadillac SRX would be suitable replacement vehicles, since the three vehicles share a similar platform. Stephens also said that the Volt and the unspecified plug-in are but two of 12 hybrid and electric vehicles that GM plans to introduce by 2012.

[Source: GM Fast Lane blog]

Cadillac invited a handful of local media to its Milford, MI proving grounds for an early "preview" drive of the second-generation SRX crossover. The first official media launch won't happen until late May, just ahead of the mid-summer on-sale date, but GM wanted to provide a sneak peak at the chassis and hardware underpinning the new SRX. Contrary to popular opinion, the SRX and the Saab 9-4X aren't built atop the Theta platform used for the Saturn Vue and Chevy Equinox. Both vehicles uses a mix of Theta pieces, bits from the Epsilon II platform and a host of new components to create a new premium crossover architecture.

Unfortunately, Michigan weather just didn't want to cooperate with the SRX. After an early event was cancelled due to unseasonably warm weather in February, GM decided to let us loose on a 50-mile local road loop to show off the SRX's new chassis control and vehicle dynamic systems. Read on to find out how it fared.



Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Click image above for live gallery of the 2010 Cadillac SRX from Detroit

Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips, Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.

The current Cadillac SRX is a competent vehicle, although it hasn't come close to selling as many units as the Lexus RX350, let alone the Acura MDX. GM is looking to change that with the thoroughly revised 2010 Cadillac SRX. Gone are the station wagon looks and rear wheel drive, and in its place is a new front drive platform and sheetmetal that looks the part of a true crossover contender. General Motors has ditched its larger powertrains for an efficient 3.0L, direct injected V6 and a 300 horsepower, 2.8L turbocharged unit that have the potential to quell fears that the new 2010 model will be lacking in the performance department. We had the chance to speak with Cadillac Marketing Director Steve Shannon to get an in-depth tour of the new SRX, and you can get the inside story in the video after the jump.

Almost exactly a year after revealing the Provoq Concept, Cadillac is debuting the redesigned 2010 SRX wearing essentially the same suit of clothes. At that time, the Provoq was thought to be a preview of a new smaller crossover called the BRX, but Cadillac informed us last summer that the "BRX" was actually the all-new SRX.

We'll be seeing the new SRX in production form at the Detroit Auto Show, and while automakers often throw the term "all-new" around, in this case it really seems to apply. There is almost nothing carried over to this version of the SRX compared to the old one, although many of the greasy bits are shared with other GM vehicles. The biggest difference going from the Provoq concept to the production SRX is the powertrain. The Provoq used a Volt based E-Flex powertrain with a fuel cell range extender. The SRX is a far more conventional though fully modern luxury crossover. Read all about the details after the jump.



Live photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

We're technically embargoed from telling you anything about the new 2010 SRX, but that hasn't stopped Cadillac from releasing a teaser video on YouTube of the new wreath and crest CUV sliding around in the snow. Set to replace the current SRX that didn't sell well despite being a perfectly competent machine, the new SRX will debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show as the latest model to continue Cadillac's resurgence as a brand that actually matters in the marketplace. The new SRX promises to be much more appealing to the mainstream, especially if you like drifting on frozen lakes, and really, who doesn't? Check out the vid after the jump and let us know if you think the new SRX will do better than Cadillac's first attempt.

[Source: YouTube]

If current rumors prove accurate, General Motors has big plans for its line of high-feature V6s, and with good reason. These six-cylinder engines make class competitive power and are very smooth. Thanks to direct injection, the engine range also offers excellent fuel efficiency when mated to GM's equally new six-speed automatic transmission. We recently heard that a new 3.0-liter version of this powertrain duo would make an appearance in the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and now we're hearing the engine will also be optional in the upcoming Chevy Equinox and standard in Cadillac's new SRX. Expect the new 3.0-liter V6 to offer around 250 horses and fuel efficiency slightly under 30 mpg on the highway. The Equinox's standard engine will be a new 2.3-liter direct-inject inline four-cylinder unit making something north of 200-horsepower, while the uplevel Caddy SRX should get the optional 300-plus horsepower 3.6L powerplant as found in the CTS.

[Source: GM Inside News]

The LA Auto Show is still a couple months away, but images of vehicles set to be unveiled in the land of fruits and nuts are already leaking onto the web. GM's Chilean website had the above photo of the production Saab 9-4X available for all to see earlier today, so now we know the production model looks almost identical to the 9-4X Biopower concept from last year's Detroit Auto Show. We'd be interested to see if the concept's integrated tail pipes and large front/side air dams make it to production but, judging from spy photos we've seen, probably not. The 9-4X will be built on the same platform as the upcoming front- or all-wheel-drive Cadillac SRX, which will also be unveiled this auto show season.

We don't have many details on the 9-4X just yet, but it will have a turbocharged 2.0L engine with 245 hp and 265 lb-ft mated to a six-speed automatic. The concept also ran on ethanol, which is also likely for the production vehicle considering that two thirds of all vehicles in Sweden are of the flex fuel variety. Other engine choices could include GM's 3.6L V6, which is likely to be found under hood of the SRX at launch, and an upcoming 250-hp 2.9L diesel. Either way, European customers will likely have an engine lineup twice as large as what we'll be offered in the U.S.

UPDATE: Saab has confirmed that the image above is not the production 9-4X, but rather a creative photoshop of the 9-4X Concept from last year's Detroit Auto Show produced by third-party reps down in Chile.


[Source: Motor Authority]