AD #1699 – Cadillac Teases New XT5, JLR Reveals EV Concepts, Why Recalls Are Growing
September 11th, 2015 at 11:49am
Runtime: 7:34
- NVIDIA Creates Powerful Chip
- Cadillac Teases New XT5
- BMW Offers Nav Add-On for Motorcycles
- JLR Reveals Three Electric Concepts
- JLR Partners With AT&T
- Why Recalls Are Growing
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On today’s show… Cadillac shows off the SRX’s replacement, the XT5…NHTSA’s administrator tells us why automakers are setting record recalls and JLR develops three electric concepts built on a common architecture. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for September 11th, 2015.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Autonomous cars will need so much computing power that they need a supercomputer. Get this, back in the year 2000 the fastest supercomputer in the United States ran at 1 Terraflop per second. That means it could run 1 trillion operations per second. It took up 1,600 square feet of room, needed 500,000 Watts to power up and another 500,000 to keep cool. Fast forward to today. NVIDIA developed a computer chip called Tegra, that can also process a teraflop per second, but it only takes 10 W of power to run and it’s the size of your thumbnail. In fact just to make sure you’ve got a backup, your car is actually going to get two of these chips. And that shows the pace of technological development in the automotive industry. What used to be the most powerful computer in the world is now the size of a chip that’s used to run your car.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Well it’s time to add a little more confusion into your life again. Just when you thought you had Cadillac’s models all straightened out in your head, it drops a brand new one for us to mess up. We now need to delete SRX from memory and put XT5 in its place as the automaker gives us our first look at its brand new crossover. As you can see, it adopts the brand’s signature front fascia, highlighted by the open-mouth grille and vertical-standing headlights. You’ll also notice a long, swooping character line that runs from the middle of the front doors and ends on top of the rear taillights. Interestingly, Cadillac says the XT5 is the cornerstone of a series of crossovers that will bear the “XT” designation, so we’re going to see some brand new Cadillac models. The XT5 will make its global debut at the Dubai Motor Show in November.
And we’ll be back with more right after this.
BMW OFFERS NAV FOR MOTORCYCLES
BMW is adding a new entry-level navigation system for its motorcycles, called Navigator Street. Its features include a 4.3” touchscreen that is said can be operated reliably with gloves and easily readable in direct sunlight. The system comes with pre-installed maps of Europe or North America, free life-long map updates and has 8GB of storage. It’s also bluetooth capable, so riders can transmit navigation instructions directly to the helmet and make outgoing calls or take incoming ones. No word on price just yet as it’s to-be-determined.
JLR REVEALS THREE ELECTRIC CONCEPTS
Jaguar Land Rover just revealed three electrified concepts that are all built on a common modular architecture, called electric drive module. It says the system produces twice the power and torque of any electric motor in production today. The first is a mild hybrid based on the Range Rover Evoque that’s powered by a prototype diesel, mated to a 9-speed transmission and a 48V electrical system and 48V lithium-ion battery. Next is a plug-in hybrid based on the Range Rover Sport which is similar to the mild hybrid but instead uses a gasoline engine and an 8-speed transmission along with a 320 volt lithium-ion battery. And the last concept is a pure EV that’s based on JLR’s aluminum architecture. The underbody is modified to fit a 70kWh lithium-ion battery and electric axle drive units. The front is powered by a single speed transmission mated to an 85 kW electric motor while the rear features a twin speed transmission coupled with a 145 kW electric motor. The concepts were created as part of a two-year 16 million pound project, partly funded by the UK’s innovation agency and with help from 12 technology partners.
JLR PARTNERS WITH AT&T
And speaking of Jaguar Land Rover, it just signed a deal with AT&T to bring wireless internet to its vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport began offering it earlier this month and later this year it will be available in more vehicles throughout JLR’s line-up.
Coming up next, the administrator of NHTSA shares why automakers are recalling a record amount of vehicles.
WHY RECALLS ARE GROWING
Automakers are setting recall records but you wouldn’t think there’s a problem if you look at independent quality ratings. So what’s the disconnect? On Autoline This Week, we were joined by Mark Rosekind, the administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and he explains why we’re seeing so many recalls.
(The ATW preview is only available in the video version of today’s show.)
John also sits down with Ben Hoffman, the CEO of Movimento, a company with a possible solution to all the recalls we’re seeing. And you can watch that entire episode right now on our website, Autoline.tv.
But that brings us to the end of today’s show, thanks for watching and have a great weekend.
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Comments (33)
September 11th, 2015 at 12:16 pm
I suspect we will see two additional Cadillac crossovers in addition to the XT5. I’m guessing an XT3, Buick Encore sized and an XT7, Traverse/Enclave sized. With the new Escalade, and especially if the “V” version makes it to production, Cadillac should be well covered in the ‘truck’ segment.
September 11th, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Nvidia
Here’s a link to part of Nvidia’s CES presentation about their deep neural network that makes that fast chip useful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vKGkxeflGw
September 11th, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Freescale buys CogniVue
The other auto news yesterday was that Freescale bought CogniVue for the tech that will allow more sensors data streams to be fused and made us of. The info will also be processed through neural networks. Freescale also says that their chips will be designed from the getgo to meet autmotive safety standards.
‘The biggest benefit of the CogniVue acquisition for Freescale is that it will be able to integrate inside its ADAS SoCs “automotive-qualified vision IP, instead of IP retrofitted for safety after the design.” Santo said, in the ISO 26262 compliant world, “We are now doing Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) B.” Through more integrated software and hardware development, “we can move to ASIL C, D and eventually D,” he added.’
http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1327663&cid=SM_ELE_EET_Edit&_mc=sm_eet_editor_junkoyoshida&hootPostID=709b12070d54f741274959ddf62d8e7e
I see also that yesterday Cadillac flew their new crossover in front of the fashionistas in Gotham rather than auto people, because branding.
Okee Dokee
September 11th, 2015 at 12:55 pm
e|X|tra |T|estosterone 5
People view Four-Wheel Drive as a good thing so GM will try and sell Five-Wheel drive. With the steering wheel being the fifth wheel.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:18 pm
oop, what could this be?
Goodwood Revival livestream. Now. And Sept.11-13 too. You all know what to do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4sGzQKKzVc
September 11th, 2015 at 1:20 pm
I have been pounding on this fact that people don’t comprehend just how geometrically the power of computing is expanding. Autonomy is readily feasible. AI is just around the corner.
When Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Stephen Hawking start warning about the existential risks to humanity regarding unstructured, rambunctious development of AI, we best ought listen to them carefully.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:25 pm
I would like to see Cadillac start using familiar nameplates along with Letters and / or Numbers. It is time for Cadillac to re-establish nameplates that evoke strength and majesty. Here are a few of my suggestions for current and future product(s):
XT7 – Eldorado
XT5 – Cimarron
XT3 – Aurora / Phoenix / Catera
September 11th, 2015 at 1:28 pm
That long character line on the side of the new XT5 seems quite reminiscent of the Buick Rendezvous.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:34 pm
7.
I agree, but oh please not Cimarron.
I always liked the name Catera, but I worry it may not be able to shake its association with one in the somewhat long list of Cadillac impostors.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:40 pm
No doubt the computing power has increased exponentially, but what about reliability? Not sure I am ready to risk my life riding in a vehicle at 70mph with full autonomy. I have had my car do weird electronic things once or twice without any explanation. If it is reliable as my cell phone, count me out. I could see dropped conductivity, random functions quit working and enough variables to require me to take over, to the point I just decide it’s not worth trying to relax and rely on a system.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Cadillac teasing the XT5 is sort of like saying Miley Cyrus teases when she does anything because we’ve all seen pictures of the XT5 of it sitting on a New York street that looked to be where they did the CT6 commercial for the Oscars.
September 11th, 2015 at 1:45 pm
@3 I saw the helicopter flyby as well. Hope they had some signage on the ground to tell those folks what they were looking at. If they even knew it was a Cadillac, they would most likely have no idea it was an entirely new vehicle. What a waste of money! If this is a sign of what we can expect from Cadillac in the future in terms of styling and marketing, its time to pack up and move back to Detroit for a healthy dose of common sense!
September 11th, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Rendezvous, the stretch Aztec.
September 11th, 2015 at 3:14 pm
“Character lines” look like power pole sideswipes.
September 11th, 2015 at 4:20 pm
2,3 come on Autoline, lead the way
September 11th, 2015 at 5:57 pm
A year from now, we will know which was a better idea, the Escalade-like nose on the XT5, or the 1961 Plymouth-like nose on the RX.
September 11th, 2015 at 7:06 pm
7 I assume you jest. Cimarron is such a tarnished name it should not be used on any car, ever. Eldorado would be a good name for a CT6 Coupe, if they ever build such a car. DeVille, Seville, and maybe Calais are legacy Cadillac names that might be good if used on the right car. To me, none of the old names would be right for a CUV/SUV. Those need new names, if they want to name them.
September 11th, 2015 at 7:33 pm
I deeply like names like Ciel and el Mirage. Even though they’re not old Caddy names, it’s like evocative names are part of the brand. But yeah, Cimarron, no.
I think Johann and Uve and Melany are going with the lettering pattern though, at least for the main offerings.
September 11th, 2015 at 8:01 pm
I like actual names better, but the letter/number thing seems to work for Audi. I still don’t like BMW and Mercedes’ replacing their numbers indicating engine displacement, with their current meaningless numbers.
September 11th, 2015 at 8:11 pm
When Cadillac comes out with its mid-engine performance car, what should it be called? A name or an alphanumeric code?
September 11th, 2015 at 8:32 pm
20 Skedaddle? That’s a little like Escalade, so it would have fit within the family.
September 11th, 2015 at 8:33 pm
would fit. No “have”
September 12th, 2015 at 7:19 am
Did I not know that?
The BMW website will let you estimate lease costs, but did you know that you can lease a 2series for up to 60 months? A 60 month lease? (and you can’t configure a manual. It’s not a mistake) I still can’t figure how leasing works with status symbol cars. You can’t afford it and wouldn’t want to own it, but you get to parade around like a big shot.
Next Mazda. You can’t get a lease estimate on a stick Mazda3 five door.(Mazda doesn’t want manuals back?) But if it’s an automatic, you can estimate lease cost. And it’s only for 33 months.
Did not know this
September 12th, 2015 at 7:53 am
Mercedes will also do a 60mo lease. Peeps is really stretching for leases too. Audi seems to only go up to a 48mo lease.
September 12th, 2015 at 10:08 am
Interesting that they won’t let you lease a manual, but I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I suppose they don’t want them back, period, but also, it would be possible to abuse them more than an automatic, and it would look bad for the car company when the clutch went out a month into the second lease.
Do they re-lease these 5 year old cars, or do they sell them as “approved certified” used cars?
September 12th, 2015 at 10:33 am
dunno, but here’s a link to a Consumer Reports piece on used car leasing. It seems one should get an extended warranty because repair costs are going to a rental. The CR report says luxury makes like the Germans’ do such leasing since their cars hold their value well(does that make sense?).
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/used-car-leasing/index.htm
September 12th, 2015 at 11:02 am
You’d definitely want an extended warranty if leasing a 5 year old Tesla S, with a $30K battery which would probably be on borrowed time.
September 12th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
I agree that t seems one should get an extended warranty because repair costs are going to a rental.
http://www.toyotareferences.com/
September 13th, 2015 at 9:26 pm
I’m watching a football game, and keep seeing these Ford pickup ads talking about “military grade” aluminum. What does that mean? Is it the kind of aluminum they make PBR cans from? I emptied a number of those when I was in the military.
September 14th, 2015 at 6:55 am
I have also heard the term marine grade aluminum (when advertising fishing boats). I don’t exactly know what that means either, as some marine ‘specs’ are represented by thickness of material, but could also mean a specific alloy of aluminum (there are many). Perhaps it is a marketing term, as such, with ‘eco-boost’ but the specific alloy (used) is surely specific to the pickup. And as with ‘high-strength steel’, which we have also assimilated to our vocabulary, what exactly is that (besides a specific steel alloy).
September 14th, 2015 at 8:39 am
29.
“Marine Grade” has got to be a marketing term. My dad’s Tracker fishing boat is all aluminum (marine grade, I suppose). I think they’re relying on people’s automatic association of marine with “The few. The proud. The Marines.”
23.
You answered your own quandery, HtG. “You can’t afford it…but you get to parade around like a big shot.”
That’s the lure of leasing. It gives people with less than superfluous financial resources the ability to drive what they could only dream of owning. And you can’t blame them for wanting to do so. Some people might never otherwise get to even sit in a brand new BMW 7-series. This is why leasing will never go away.
September 14th, 2015 at 8:49 am
Yes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, etc are all very successful with alphabet soup car names. Part of that is they have a lot of history with those conventions and part of it is there is a lot of consistency in the different models.
GM keeps jumping ship every 10-20 years on naming and GM has very little consistency with the different models of one product line. Chevy is getting better, Pontiac was almost perfect before they killed it, they had it with Saturn (doesn’t matter now), and the worse is Cadillac. Cadillac should be a shining star.
September 14th, 2015 at 9:35 am
For years, the second part of BMW and Benz model names indicated the engine diplacement. I liked that. Now, both companies have gone to semi-random numbers that are loosely proportional to engine power. If they want the numbers to indicate power, why not just make the number indicate power in hp or kw? That would make sense. They might want to use hp rather than kw, because the numbers would be bigger.