Cadillac Enhances 2012 Escalade Security Features
Luxury SUV no longer a pushover for push-away or towing thieves
Just underneath the surface of the 2012 Cadillac Escalade are new security enhancements developed to combat thieves who have pushed and towed the segment-leading luxury SUV to the top of annual most-stolen vehicle lists.
The Escalade is already well-protected against typical drive-away grand theft auto through existing security features and standard OnStar security technology.
“The goal is to make the Escalade a very difficult target for thieves without any added inconvenience for customers,” said Bill Biondo, General Motors’ global leader for vehicle theft prevention. “The new systems work in the background and few people realize they are there, but they are strong added protections.”
The 2012 security enhancements:
PASS Key 3+, a sophisticated encryption system for the key, key cylinder and ignition system (Deters: Drive-away thefts)
A more-robust steering column-lock system that makes it nearly impossible to maneuver the Escalade onto a flatbed. (Deters: “push-away” thefts)
An available inclination sensor that sets off an alarm when the system senses an unwarranted change of the angle of the vehicle, such as would occur with towing, flat-bedding or lifting the vehicle. (Deters: towing, push-away, and wheel thefts)
An available shock sensor intended to reduce content theft and push-away theft by sounding the alarm when the vehicle is “shocked,” such as by breaking window glass. (Deters: Property theft)
An available new wheel lock system to help prevent the theft of Escalade’s wheels and tires.
OnStar provides standard additional security with a remote ignition lock that can prevent the vehicle from starting if a break-in is detected. If a vehicle is stolen, OnStar can also provide vehicle location and remotely slow the vehicle down to assist law enforcement in vehicle recovery.
“Combined, these technologies comprise one of the most-extensive sets of theft-deterrent measures available for this type of vehicle and meet or exceed security specifications among global vehicle security analysts,” Biondo said.
The new inclination sensors will make it more difficult to push or tow an Escalade undetected. Undetected thefts and break-ins will also be more difficult with the added shock sensors and locking devices.
“These types of innovative theft prevention technologies are a significant step in helping to reduce vehicle thefts,” said Joe Wehrle, president and CEO of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Cadillac and Biondo continually work with U.S. law enforcement agencies to help educate police agencies on the various GM theft prevention systems and to learn the latest tactics used by auto thieves.
“We listen and analyze real-world security information from law enforcement so we can continue to develop effective theft deterrent solutions for our customers,” said Biondo.
Protecting Yourself Against Grand Theft Auto
Security technologies are an important part of the chess game between law enforcement and car thieves, but drivers are the primary defense against break-ins and thefts. To better keep you and your vehicle secure:
Do not leave valuables unattended in unlocked cars, or in plain sight
Park vehicles in well-lit areas or inside locked garages
Don’t leave cars running with the keys in the ignition.
Do not defeat the ignition/key cylinder immobilizers with aftermarket remote- start systems
Always lock your vehicle with the key fob, which also sets the alarm system
Use wheel locks with premium wheels
Do not leave driver’s license, registration or insurance certificate in your car
Purchase a vehicle with OnStar or the aftermarket OnStar FMV mirror, which will enable your vehicle to be tracked if stolen.

SAN DIEGO – Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data, will benefit consumers by offering personalized, connected driving beginning in 2012.
“CUE will transform personal transportation by simply and efficiently integrating luxury design and instinctive technology with unparalleled levels of customized in-vehicle connectivity,” Don Butler, Vice President, Cadillac Marketing, announced at the CTIA Wireless Association’s Enterprise and Applications conference.

CUE will debut in 2012 in the Cadillac XTS and ATS luxury sedans and SRX luxury crossover. CUE is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”

“For the tech-savvy, it’s everything you want it to be – a full suite of infotainment, navigation and communication tools that keeps you fully connected. For the tech-averse, its power is remarkably simple, intuitive and accessible,” Butler said.

CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, will pair entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, natural voice commands and fewer buttons and larger icons

For example, most of today’s luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio and entertainment functions. CUE reduces that to just four buttons.

“CUE doesn’t replace your smartphone or your iPodTM,” said Micky Bly, executive director, Global Electric Systems, Infotainment and Electrification. “Rather it allows consumers to securely store those mobile devices while channeling the information on those devices, along with your navigation tools, weather maps with Doppler radar, AM/FM and XM radio, instant messages and emails, through a central portal in your Cadillac, keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

The heart of CUE is the 8-inch LCD touch screen, seamlessly integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and a motorized fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a 1.8L storage area. The vibrant LCD screen displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen by using large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands. Capacitive refers to using electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.

“CUE is a very elegant in-vehicle hub of all the information and entertainment in your life. All of CUE’s controls use the same design vernac­ular to create a harmony unique to Cadillac,” said Dave Lyon, executive director, Cadillac Interior Design. “Vibrant colors, a piano black face plate, precision-milled buttons, intuitive touch screen placement and sculpted front console provide a spacious, fashion-forward cabin.”
To improve simplicity and connectivity for consumers, CUE will feature several auto industry firsts.

• Proximity Sensing: As the user’s hand approaches the LCD screen, command icons appear. Icons can be customized and arranged by consumers to improve ease of use.
• Haptic Feedback: Buttons on the fully capacitive faceplate pulse when pressed to acknowledge the driver’s commands and helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road.
• Multi-Touch Hand Gestures: interactive motions (tap, flick, swipe and spread) popularized by smartphones and tablets allow tasks on the LCD screen, such as scrolling lists, zooming maps and searching favorites to be easily accomplished.
• 12.3 in. LCD reconfigurable gauge cluster (on select models) offers four selectable displays – Simple, Enhanced, Balanced and Performance – that can mix traditional vehicle data such as a speedometer and fuel gauge with navigation, entertainment and 3D vehicle image.
• Natural Speech Recognition lets consumers speak logically with fewer specific commands to recall stored media or input navigation destinations. CUE’s text-to-speech feature will also allow consumers to receive text messages by system voice and to send recorded text messages in return.
• Linux operating system, “open” software platform and ARM 11 3-core processor, each operating at 400 million of instructions (mips) per second. This hardware setup offers 3.5 times more processing power than current infotainment systems, and allow developers to write applications to CUE that be downloaded by consumers. “It’s processing speed and power that make CUE so capable,” said Bly.

Connectivity, Control, Convenience
CUE development began in 2008 when Cadillac designers rode with 32 consumers for six months to study driver habits. Engineers and designers then used the data to develop CUE.

CUE’s LCD screen features the driver’s five most frequently used functions stored along the top of the screen. Along the bottom of the screen, users can select up to 60 favorites from music to points of interest, addresses, maps for weather or directions, phone numbers or system commands, such as “tag song.”

CUE’s customization and control features are further enhanced through OnStar’s suite of safety, security and connectivity services , such as Turn-by-Turn navigation, Automatic Crash Notification, hands-free calling and the OnStar RemoteLink mobile application.
Key OnStar features are available through CUE’s LCD screen, gauge cluster and steering wheel controls.

Cadillac CUE: Intuitive and Connected Driving in 2012Integrates interior design with industry-first control, command technologies2011-10-12Natural voice recognition, fewer buttons, larger icons, greater customizationCentral instrument panel features fully capacitive faceplate, vibrant 8-inch LCD touch screen with proximity sensing, multi-touch hand gestures3.5 times more processing power than current systemsSAN DIEGO – Cadillac CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data, will benefit consumers by offering personalized, connected driving beginning in 2012.”

CUE will transform personal transportation by simply and efficiently integrating luxury design and instinctive technology with unparalleled levels of customized in-vehicle connectivity,” Don Butler, Vice President, Cadillac Marketing, announced at the CTIA Wireless Association’s Enterprise and Applications conference.CUE will debut in 2012 in the Cadillac XTS and ATS luxury sedans and SRX luxury crossover. CUE is designed to be unique for each consumer, from the “simple user” to the fully connected “super user.”"For the tech-savvy, it’s everything you want it to be – a full suite of infotainment, navigation and communication tools that keeps you fully connected. For the tech-averse, its power is remarkably simple, intuitive and accessible,” Butler said.CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, will pair entertainment and information data from up to 10 Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, USBs, SD cards and MP3 players with a vehicle infotainment system that reduces complexity through customized information, natural voice commands and fewer buttons and larger iconsFor example, most of today’s luxury cars have around 20 buttons controlling the radio and entertainment functions. CUE reduces that to just four buttons.”CUE doesn’t replace your smartphone or your iPodTM,” said Micky Bly, executive director, Global Electric Systems, Infotainment and Electrification. “Rather it allows consumers to securely store those mobile devices while channeling the information on those devices, along with your navigation tools, weather maps with Doppler radar, AM/FM and XM radio, instant messages and emails, through a central portal in your Cadillac, keeping hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”The heart of CUE is the 8-inch LCD touch screen, seamlessly integrated into the top of the central instrument panel and a motorized fully capacitive faceplate at the bottom concealing a 1.8L storage area. The vibrant LCD screen displays CUE’s home page, which resembles a smart phone’s screen by using large, easy-to-target icons to execute commands. Capacitive refers to using electrodes to sense the conductive properties of objects, such as a finger.”CUE is a very elegant in-vehicle hub of all the information and entertainment in your life. All of CUE’s controls use the same design vernac­ular to create a harmony unique to Cadillac,” said Dave Lyon, executive director, Cadillac Interior Design. “Vibrant colors, a piano black face plate, precision-milled buttons, intuitive touch screen placement and sculpted front console provide a spacious, fashion-forward cabin.”

To improve simplicity and connectivity for consumers, CUE will feature several auto industry firsts.Proximity Sensing: As the user’s hand approaches the LCD screen, command icons appear. Icons can be customized and arranged by consumers to improve ease of use.Haptic Feedback: Buttons on the fully capacitive faceplate pulse when pressed to acknowledge the driver’s commands and helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road.Multi-Touch Hand Gestures: interactive motions (tap, flick, swipe and spread) popularized by smartphones and tablets allow tasks on the LCD screen, such as scrolling lists, zooming maps and searching favorites to be easily accomplished.12.3 in. LCD reconfigurable gauge cluster (on select models) offers four selectable displays – Simple, Enhanced, Balanced and Performance – that can mix traditional vehicle data such as a speedometer and fuel gauge with navigation, entertainment and 3D vehicle image.Natural Speech Recognition lets consumers speak logically with fewer specific commands to recall stored media or input navigation destinations. CUE’s text-to-speech feature will also allow consumers to receive text messages by system voice and to send recorded text messages in return. Linux operating system, “open” software platform and ARM 11 3-core processor, each operating at 400 million of instructions (mips) per second. This hardware setup offers 3.5 times more processing power than current infotainment systems, and allow developers to write applications to CUE that be downloaded by consumers. “It’s processing speed and power that make CUE so capable,” said Bly.Connectivity, Control, ConvenienceCUE development began in 2008 when Cadillac designers rode with 32 consumers for six months to study driver habits. Engineers and designers then used the data to develop CUE.CUE’s LCD screen features the driver’s five most frequently used functions stored along the top of the screen. Along the bottom of the screen, users can select up to 60 favorites from music to points of interest, addresses, maps for weather or directions, phone numbers or system commands, such as “tag song.”Favorites can also be re-ordered and named to be easily recallable.The steering wheel contains a five-way controller on the right side to navigate the cluster display, a vol­ume control and buttons to cycle through favorites, while the five-way controller on the left side manages cruise con­trol functions, voice recognition, phone hang-up and heated steering wheel.CUE’s customization and control features are further enhanced through OnStar’s suite of safety, security and connectivity services , such as Turn-by-Turn navigation, Automatic Crash Notification, hands-free calling and the OnStar RemoteLink mobile application.Key OnStar features are available through CUE’s LCD screen, gauge cluster and steering wheel controls.

New 3.6L V6 boosts power with ECO mode for efficient driving
Retail sales up 18 percent, with 1.5 point segment share increase in 2011
DETROIT – The Cadillac SRX, a fast-rising favorite among midsize luxury crossovers, receives a significant upgrade for the 2012 model year starting in August. A new 308-horsepower 3.6L direct-injected V6 engine gives SRX the most standard power in its class, and includes a driver-selectable ECO Mode for optimal fuel economy.

While gaining substantial horsepower, the new LFX engine delivers comparable fuel economy to predecessor engines because of its more mass-efficient design and the ECO Mode, which sets revised shift points in the 6-speed HydraMatic automatic transmission to maximize economy.

The 2012 SRX carries a standard price of $36,060 including $875 destination charge. Other upgrades and changes in the SRX for 2012 include standard Bluetooth on all models, an optional heated steering wheel, a xenon Blue Metallic exterior paint option that will be available in fall 2011, an all-ebony interior option with contrasting stitching, and a new 20-inch wheel finish option.

“We’re taking a winning product in the SRX and reaching higher,” said Don Butler, Cadillac vice president of marketing. “The crossover category is one of the biggest and most important segments in the luxury market. SRX has performed very well and is the best selling Cadillac worldwide, but our approach is not to leave well enough alone.”

Since the current generation launched 2010, SRX sales in the United States have moved from ninth to second in the segment, overtaking nearly all competitors. SRX retail sales are up 18 percent in 2011, gaining 1.5 share points this year. Additionally, 71 percent of SRX buyers are new to Cadillac, a high “conquest” rate in a luxury segment known for tradition and loyalty.

SRX features an advanced All Wheel Drive system with electronic limited slip rear differential that distributes power front-to-rear, and also can move power across the rear axle based on driving conditions and traction. The chassis includes Adaptive Real-Time damping technology for excellent ride control. Rainsense automatic windshield wipers connect to the braking system, enabling the brakes to conduct slight periodic caliper applications, keeping rotors dry for optimal stopping power in wet conditions.

SRX includes HID headlamps with Adaptive Forward Lighting, Bose 5.1 surround sound with navigation, a full-color LCD Driver Info Center, and a rear-view camera system. OnStar is standard and features myCadillac and OnStar RemoteLink mobile apps and Stolen Vehicle Assistance.

The SRX is Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2011 Top Safety Pick with industry-leading active and passive safety and crash avoidance systems.