Quote:
Originally Posted by mikmak
^^^from the outside?
As for the system being advanced, even the Holden/nee Opel Tigra has a button released and power operated trunk and many other vehicles have a solenoid release. Although on the Tigra, it is a pain in the backside because the trunk is operated via a "dead man" safety system, whereby you have to keep holding the boot button to close it, regardless of prevailing weather conditions. 
Allow me to provide a simple example of its downfall:
The CTS Coupe/CTC is t-boned on the right hand side, dislodging the battery and rupturing the fuel tank. If the driver is knocked unconscious, there is no opportunity for bystanders to get him out of the car. How about a battery fault with a child in a locked car? Is there a mechanical release on the outside? How about any cause for the battery to run flat (systematic or human error)? Is there even an old fashioned physical key? (<---these are actual questions by the way. I'm not saying them just to be a pain in the ass ) |
mikmak,
In regard to your hypothetical auto accident, I would expect anyone wishing to attempt rescue will be require to break the side window and open the door from the inside. There is a mechanical access and exit for the Cadillac XLR and yes there is a key to access from the exterior.
For Cadillac's XLR like most other GM cars are designed with battery run down protection, which basically shuts down power to conserve battery life even when someone is in the XLR, let’s say playing the DVD player watching a movie. When the system detects enough drain on the battery it will turn off the stereo and post a message in the Driver Information Display to start the engine.
If there is no battery power for whatever reason, one can exit the car by using the door release handle next to each seat. If for some reason your Cadillac XLR battery is dead, one can gain access with a key through a special body panel.
The advance design I was speaking of was Cadillac's XLR systems integration of the doors, windows, trunk, roof, keyless access, keyless start, security, vehicle diagnostics and auto emergency notification. All of these advance features and services require the battery to be operational.
There are many autos that offer solenoid operated doors. However, few automobiles integrate all of the above; in fact I have only found a hand fully featured cars and they are luxury brands. And in the luxury performance roadster segment, Cadillac’s XL R and Mercedes-Benz’s SL are the only models that meet these designs.
JLM