Buttons Offed - 2013 Cadillacs to Feature High-Tech IPs

[1G6]

Buttons Offed - 2013 Cadillacs to Feature High-Tech IPs
Methode Electronics, Inc. to supply patented Integrated Center Stacks
www.GMInsideNews.com
April 6, 2011
By: Jonathan Dobson

A current Ford supplier’s high-tech instrument panels will be coming to Cadillacs within a year, and will see duty in other GM products soon after.

Sources tell GMI that Integrated Center Stacks from Chicago-based Methode Electronics, Inc. will appear in the 2013 Cadillac SRX, as well as new full-size and compact sedan entries from GM’s luxury division.

The panels will represent the next iteration of Methode’s technology as currently seen in the Ford Edge, Ford Explorer and Lincoln MKX. As deployed in those products, the panels use Methode’s proprietary TouchSensor™ and TouchCell™ technologies to displace conventional buttons with an electrical field that allows for control of radio tuning, infotainment system volume and the HVAC system via the swipe of a finger.

In the Cadillacs, the panels will feature a piano black surface, and will appear to be blank – devoid of any markings – when the car is turned off. The touch points will illuminate when the vehicle is in use.

The compact rear wheel drive sedan, known tentatively as ATS, will ride GM’s new Alpha architecture. Other Alpha cars, such as the next Chevrolet Camaro, are expected to feature variants of the Methode panels.

The new Cadillac full-size sedan, known tentatively as XTS, begins production in March 2012; the new compact sedan is expected to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Methode’s panels can be seen in action here.

[mr_bots]

Hopefully it'll be more reliable than it is in the Edge...

[caddycruiser]

Intriguing. Fitting of the time. As long as they work a little more smoothly than the Fords...which are good, but highly advanced...and certainly have a learning curve.

I just don't like the idea of piano black, other than looking great, the first time you touch it. The Edge, etc. mostly have a metallic gray, silver finish which resists showing this. All shiny black...grease & smudge city. Unless there's a new chemical tech for that too.

Can't wait to see...

[GMFAN85]

Predicted rant by a certain member: "Such gimmicky technology is no match for anything that Mercedes, BMW, and Audi have or ever had. Cadillac is lost and is doomed for failure. I hate GM for not listening to me!"

To be serious...this is not surprising considering this tech was previewed on the XTS concept and has appeared to have been carried over to production from what we've seen in the recent spy photos.

Nice to see Cadillac is putting this on the SRX MCE.

[chevypowa670]

Hopefully it'll be more reliable than it is in the Edge...

Exactly.... GM has to make sure these systems are perfect. Ford got crap for their system but its nothing compared to what GM would get if their system is jank.... Remember the media loves to sink its teeth into GM.

Also, nice to see GM is starting to keep their products fresh. Cruze refresh in 2012, SRX refresh in 2013... GM needs to do this will all their models.

[Jesda]

I dont mind touch functions, but I prefer the mechanical action of a button. Remember when after market car stereos got rid of volume knobs in the late 90s? Thankfully, knobs returned.

[nsap]

Exactly.... GM has to make sure these systems are perfect. Ford got crap for their system but its nothing compared to what GM would get if their system is jank.... Remember the media loves to sink its teeth into GM.

Also, nice to see GM is starting to keep their products fresh. Cruze refresh in 2012, SRX refresh in 2013... GM needs to do this will all their models.

In regards to Ford's. I have spent extensive time with Edge, MKX and Explorer with MyFord Touch. The problem with that system is not the touch points, but rather the software behind it.

GM's software, obviously, will be entirely different than Ford's.

[Ed Arcuri]

I will withhold judgment, but I am not sanguine. This could be a deal killer for me. I do not own any of this gee whiz electronic junk that works reliably. Edmunds has identified electronic gimmicks as the source of most of the quality problems in modern cars.
Cheers,
Ed
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[DarkKnight67]

March 2012 for the XTS? Okay, my money stays in the bank a little longer in anticipation.

[rfraleigh]

These better be good!

[chevypowa670]

March 2012 for the XTS? Okay, my money stays in the bank a little longer in anticipation.

Damn your garage is sexy.... Nice lineup sir.

[Amphibian]

I like this news.

Predicted rant by a certain member: "Such gimmicky technology is no match for anything that Mercedes, BMW, and Audi have or ever had. Cadillac is lost and is doomed for failure. I hate GM for not listening to me!"

Baiting is completely unnecessary. The funny thing is, people complain about MG but then bring him into a conversation or something on their own anyways, which is just as annoying as you may find his comments to be.

Personally, I like his Straight Talk attitude whether I agree with it or not. At least he's honest and consistent.

[djo165]

This kind of stuff looks nice, but it's so overrated, IMO. A lack of tactile feedback just means more drivers looking at their dash instead of the road. But I suppose it is inevitable.

[Dr. Show-Me]

Earlier today, John McElroy on Autoline Detroit said that the ATS would be out by the end of THIS YEAR, the earliest date I have heard for the ATS. Future GM cars and trucks is calling for production to start in Dec for the XTS and July for the ATS

[FenwickHockey65]

Earlier today, John McElroy on Autoline Detroit said that the ATS would be out by the end of THIS YEAR, the earliest date I have heard for the ATS. Future GM cars and trucks is calling for production to start in Dec for the XTS and July for the ATS

Probably not.