GM Presents 2010 Cadillac SRX Crossover; New 3.0L Direct-Injected E85 Engine as Standard
05 January 2009
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| The new direct injection 3.0L E85 capable engine in the SRX. Click to enlarge. |
GM presented the new 2010 Cadillac SRX Crossover, featuring a new design and more-efficient engine choices. The new SRX, a mid-sized luxury crossover, will debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week.
A new, 3.0L direct injected and E85 capable V6 engine is standard and a new, 2.8L turbocharged V6 is optional. Direct injection enables a 25% reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. Fuel economy in the mid-20s on the highway is expected, but testing isn’t yet complete.
The 260 hp (193 kW) 3.0L V6 is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and offers 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque at 5600 rpm. The new direct-injected V6 engine is expected to raise the SRX’s standard power rating by 5 hp, while achieving an estimated 10-15% fuel economy improvement.
The 3.0L direct injection V6 is a smaller-displacement version of the 3.6L direct injection engine featured in the CTS sport sedan and named one of the world’s 10 Best Engines for 2009 by Ward’s Automotive. (Earlier post.) Along with direct injection technology, the 3.0-liter engine employs variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
The Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission helps save fuel by lowering the engine’s revolutions per minute at constant highway speeds, while a manual shift lever control enables greater driver interaction when desired. The new SRX includes a driver-selectable “eco mode” that alters transmission shift points to maximize fuel economy.
The 2.8L turbo delivers 300 hp (224 kW) of power and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm of torque); it is paired with an AF40 Aisin Warner six-speed automatic transmission.
An available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system includes an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that distributes torque as needed from side-to-side along the rear axle, in addition from the front to rear axle.
The new SRX will be available at European Cadillac dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2009.
It used to be that the Detroit three had embarrassingly old technology engines when compared to the foreign competitor offerings.
But that is no longer true. Across the board every one of the big three has only the most modern engines and transmissions to offer, and in most cases are even more modern than their competition.
Meanwhile the modern engines and transmissions allow them to let V8s downsize; small v8s to become small v8s or large v6s; large v6s to become small v6s or big I4s; and large I4s to become small I4s. As GDI spreads, the increased HP leads to the same or lighter engines with the same output. And better fuel economy by a genuine 10-15%.
Posted by: Stan Peterson | 05 January 2009 at 02:11 PM
I find this so discouraging. GM decides to finally ship some "high-tech" and it's built around the whole ethanol fallacy. Geez, the ethanol industry is such a sham, they require protection against foreign ethanol, subsidies from all of us, they force us to use their blends in our cars which only hurts fuel economy in exchange for very dubious benefits to the environment....and now they want a $50billion bailout to keep the ethanol industry going? And GM is proud to ship standard E85 engines? Whatever guys.
Posted by: DaveD | 05 January 2009 at 05:34 PM
What's wrong with E85 capability?
Posted by: ToppaTom | 05 January 2009 at 07:01 PM
@ToppaTom |"What's wrong with E85 capability?"
Try reading what DaveD wrote.
Posted by: dursun | 05 January 2009 at 07:38 PM
built around ethanol?
forced to use their blends?
Wow, just wow...
I'm pretty sure you can fill it up with gasoline any time you want.
Posted by: Patrick | 05 January 2009 at 10:20 PM
E85 capable means a normal ICE that can also run on up to 85% Ethanol.
This flexibility cost relatively little.
"Flexibility is good, inflexibility is embraced by closed minds", Plastic Man, 1975.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 06 January 2009 at 02:37 AM
while achieving an estimated 10-15% fuel economy improvement.
This is a new vehicle. A 75% fuel economy improvement would have been to produce a mid-size hybrid, instead of perpetuating the SUV/car abomination called a "Crossover".
GM still doesn't get it, and it will not be a surprise to see them go under.
Posted by: Will S | 07 January 2009 at 06:18 AM
Will S,
Your comments are Goo and Drivel. Progress comes incrementally. It is well knowm that a smaller dual mode hybrid drive is being developed,and was always planned for vehicles this size and smaller. It will be availble in 18 months or so. Menawhile the powerplants to be used with it are beng developed before our eyse. In 18 months that drive-train wil be added to this model or its successor and even you will have your mid thirties fuel saver.
In two years that new engine, will be able to adopt HCCI mode easily, as all the enabling supporting technologies necessary to operate in that parsimious mode are now included.
Posted by: Stan Peterson | 09 January 2009 at 11:12 AM