AD #1816 – Apple & Google Face New Competition, New Act to Protect Racing Enthusiasts, Cadillac XT5 Impressions
March 9th, 2016 at 11:54am
Runtime: 8:05
To watch this episode on YouTube click here.
- INRIX Acquires OpenCar to Challenge Apple & Google
- Chrysler Reveals Pacifica Fuel Economy #’s
- Pacifica Gets Bridgestone Turanza Tires
- New Act Could Protect Racing Enthusiasts
- Ford Offers Track Experience for GT350 Owners
- Toyota Aims to Help Visually Impaired
- All-New Cadillac XT5 Impressions
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On today’s show… Android Auto and Apple CarPlay face new competition, Ford offers GT350 Mustang owners complimentary driver training and our impressions of the new Cadillac XT5. All that and more coming right up on Autoline Daily.
This is Autoline Daily for March 9th, 2016.
APPLE & GOOGLE FACE NEW COMPETITION
As you may remember, we’ve shown you technology from INRIX, a company that uses data from connected cars and predictive technologies to gauge the flow of traffic and to help drivers find parking spots. Now the company is looking to challenge Google and Apple with the acquisition of OpenCar and its in-car app platform. Unlike Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, OpenCar’s system allows automakers to collect data from cars themselves, instead of having Apple or Google collect it. It is also more customizable which allows automakers to create unique looks across different makes and brands for their infotainment systems.
CHRYSLER PACIFICA FUEL ECONOMY #’S
Chrysler revealed fuel economy numbers for the all-new Pacifica minivan. It gets 18 MPG in the city and 28 on the highway, which is good for a combined 22 MPG. The Pacifica is powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V-6 that’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Stop/Start technology will be added later. Official numbers for the plug-in hybrid version, which launches in the second half of the year, weren’t announced but the company estimates 30 miles of pure EV range and a 80 MPG equivalent rating.
MAMA’S GOT A NEW PAIR OF SHOES
Another quick note about the Pacifica, select models will wear Bridgestone’s all-season Turanza tires. Look for the new Pacifica in dealer showrooms later this spring.
NEW ACT COULD PROTECT RACING ENTHUSIASTS
A month ago we reported how the EPA snuck in a proposal for a new regulation that would prohibit anyone from converting a production car into a race car as well as make it illegal to produce certain parts for use on those vehicles. But now 5 U.S. House Representatives are looking to protect racing enthusiasts with the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act or, funny enough, the RPM Act. It insures that converting street vehicles to racecars does not violate the Clean Air Act. It should be noted that this new Act only covers racecars used exclusively in competition. So, individuals looking to hop up their ride for the street may be in violation. But we’d once again like to thank SEMA for keeping an eye on these things.
Still to come… Toyota creates a new device to help the blind and visually impaired better navigate their surroundings.
TAKE YOUR SNAKE TO THE TRACK
Anybody can go out and buy a powerful racecar but it’s a whole other story to actually know how to drive it. So Ford is now offering buyers of 2015 and 2016 GT350 and GT350R Mustangs a complimentary hands-on track experience at the Utah Motorsports Campus. The program teaches high-performance driving skills focused on the particular dynamics of the GT350 and GT350R, including braking, shifting and cornering techniques. Cars will be provided, but participants will be responsible for airfare and lodging.
TOYOTA AIMS TO HELP VISUALLY IMPAIRED
One of the benefits of mobility is it allows disabled people much more freedom. Transportation will play a large role in that but Toyota is using its technical know-how to help the blind and visually impaired outside of the vehicle. The company has developed a new device to give those people more information about their surroundings. Called Project BLAID, the horseshoe shaped device is worn around the user’s neck and using cameras, helps identify things like escalators, stairs, doors or restrooms through speakers and vibrations. In the future, mapping, object identification and facial recognition features will be added. The company says beta testing of the device will kick off soon.
And be sure to join us for Autoline After Hours tomorrow. Gary Vasilash and his fellow auto journalists will have a roundtable discussion of the latest news in the global auto industry. That’s this Thursday starting at 3PM eastern time LIVE on our website, autoline.tv.
Coming up next, our driving impressions of Cadillac’s new crossover, the XT5.
ALL-NEW CADILLAC XT5 IMPRESSIONS
The only crossover that Cadillac has had in its lineup is the SRX, which has been in the market for seven years now, an eternity in the automotive industry. But it’s being replaced by the XT5 which represents a significant step up for Cadillac. The first thing you’ll notice is how quick and nimble the XT5 feels. That’s because it’s 292-pounds lighter than the old SRX. Perhaps even more impressively, it’s 650-pounds lighter than a Mercedes GLE 350. And yet the XT5 is made out of steel, not aluminum or carbon fiber. Cadillac engineers were able to reduce the weight through clever design rather than with alternative materials.
Another reason the XT5 feels so much quicker is it now has GM’s new 3.6 L V-6 under the hood. With 310-hp and 271 pound-feet on tap, this thing gets up and goes. Thanks to cylinder deactivation, and start stop technology combined with an eight-speed automatic it’s rated at 22 miles-per-gallon combined. The all wheel drive version is rated at 21 MPG.
Inside, the XT5 features an attractive combination of real materials including leather, wood and aluminum trim. And you can easily see how Cadillac is bringing more craftsmanship into its cars. For example, the wood trim bends up and towards the top of the vents on the instrument panel. That’s not exactly easy to do. Also note the super thin gaps between the buttons on the steering wheel. That’s not exactly easy either. And one of our favorite touches is the use of microfiber inserts that look and feel like suede. They just make you want to reach out and rub your hands on it.
The XT5 has a base price of $39,000, while a fully loaded one will take you over $62,000. We think the XT5 is going to give Cadillac a competitive edge in the marketplace. It doesn’t look like anything else in its segment, and can hold its own against any other luxury crossover. In fact, this could be the vehicle that gives Cadillac the volume it needs to claw its way back into the top ranks amongst luxury brands.
But that wraps up today’s show, thanks for watching and please join us again tomorrow.
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Comments (25)
March 9th, 2016 at 12:17 pm
Will the to be redesigned Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain be built on the same platform and share components and drive-trains with the Cadillac XT5?
March 9th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Does anyone here know the source of the transaxle in the CT5? Does Hydramatic have a new one, is it purchased, or ?
March 9th, 2016 at 12:21 pm
I meant XT5.
March 9th, 2016 at 12:24 pm
Another quick note about the Pacifica, select models will wear Bridgestone’s all-season Turanza tires. And in other news, I ate cereal this morning made by Kellogg.
March 9th, 2016 at 12:35 pm
Kit, it is an Aisin AF-508 much to my disappointment…
March 9th, 2016 at 12:41 pm
Lisk, thanks for info.
March 9th, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Sean do you really think having a model specific electronic display is an advantage to the consumer? I think Apple Car Play or Android Play are preferable because they offer an already known interface that the driver can work easily without having to learn the nuances of a new system from an automobile manufacturer that is confusing and wastes lots of time. I’ll take Apple Car Play anytime.
March 9th, 2016 at 12:56 pm
WineGeek +1
It doesn’t matter how open an alternate in car system is, if the phone OS refuses to play ball, it is going nowhere. And iOS DOES NOT play ball.
March 9th, 2016 at 12:59 pm
Aren’t those wood accents just razor thin veneers? I’ll concede that the styling does cost more and add complexity, but they are not exactly steaming walnut planks…
March 9th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
For the record, I wanted to really like the Cadillac XT5 since I am in the market for this class of vehicle. After doing a static comparison with the Jaguar F-Pace at a recent auto show, I think Caddy has some more work to do. And the soft leather seats and micro fiber materials get dirty real fast, so buyer beware.
I look forward to test driving the XT5. I hope that it is not just suited to real estate sales people cruising potential buyers around.
March 9th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Am I alone in being glad about a plug in minivan? This sounds like a great idea. I hope Chrysler executes this well, their Pacifica looks very upscale and yet their outgoing minivan is not particularly smooth or well rated. Yet the concept of mommy not using gas while taking kids to school and soccer is right on, I may actually try this when our lease is up.
Any info on whether this is a dry cell system or whether this is a water cooled pack? Battery capacity deterioration is notorious in dry cells such as the ones found in Nissan Leafs (Leaves??). Battery capacity is similar to those of 2014 Volts, actually.
March 9th, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Another question for Pacifica – it operates like a normal hybrid after the 30 miles or is the engine a mere generator like the Volt? I really like how the Volt works actually.
March 9th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
9. Typically, yes (just thin veneers). But better to be thin real veneers and thick fake ones. Just for perspective though, in a Bentley, those thin veneers are laminated to real, solid wood substrates.
March 9th, 2016 at 2:23 pm
…meant to write “better to be thin real veneers THAN thick fake ones.”
March 9th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
I don’t believe the Equinox and Terrain are related to the XT5, however, the upcoming GMC Acadia will be a ‘kissin cousin’ to the XT5 though the XT5 has the 8-speed tranny while the Acadia will have the 6-speed tranny. Other than that they should be very close (especially with the Acadia Denali).
March 9th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
11 The Pacifica is a great candidate for a plug-in. If you give up “stow and go” seating, you have lots of space for batteries, without losing cabin space.
The batteries are liquid cooled, and the hybrid system is fairly similar to the Toyota/Ford systems, except that both motors can be clutched together in pure electric mode.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1101960_2017-chrysler-pacifica-hybrid-more-details-on-30-mile-plug-in/page-2
It sounds very well though out.
March 9th, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Roger (12) – In the Gen1 Volt, in extended range operation, and while in “mode 2″ at higher speeds, the engine is mechanically connected to the planetary ring gear (although power is still coming from the drive motor too) for better efficiency, so the engine is not “merely” a generator (as it is in “mode 1″ during extended range operation). In the Gen2 Volt, this is also the case, but there is also one more blended mode to add even more efficiency.
March 9th, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Thanks for the comments Kit & Bob. I will say I had heard of the Volt direct drive at high speeds but will say my 2013 doesn’t seem to care up to 80MPH, it stays in e-mode. I haven’t tried speeds above that so maybe the threshold is higher than 80 or it only happens when battery is depleted.
March 9th, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Since the embargo ended on the XT5 last night, I was hoping for more driving impressions (from the guys); maybe they are forthcoming. The XT5 is a big deal for Cadillac so it has to be right, especially since the SRX had a long run and was starting to lose ground to it’s competitors. And the XT5 is the first of what is coming down the line from Cadillac which is said to be the (in development with spy pictures) rumored XT7 and also rumored XT3/4.
March 9th, 2016 at 8:14 pm
19 Here’s a YT review, Chuck. I’d start watching at about the 5min mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsC3CxXZryY
March 9th, 2016 at 8:32 pm
I’m looking forward to driving an XT5 and MKX this fall.
March 10th, 2016 at 6:29 am
#20 HtG
Thanks for the link, I had subsequently found that very one. MotoMan does a nice job IMO.
March 10th, 2016 at 8:50 am
I agree, the minivans or SUVs make great vehicles for electrification. Lots of floor space for batteries for longer range, more people carrying capacity sounds much greener, and the higher (electrics) prices for larger vehicles seems more justified than it does for the small electric cars.
March 10th, 2016 at 10:21 am
20 Interesting report. It sounds like it is designed to drive better than the competition. Hopefully, it will also appeal to people who don’t care about that, like the typical RX-driving real estate sales person. The Cadillac’s looking less wild might help it against the current RX.
March 10th, 2016 at 3:02 pm
Why aren’t there any turbocharged minivans on the market? You could downsize the engine and still get better acceleration and fuel mileage.