Cadillac Unleashes New Technology

[nsap]

Cadillac Unleashes New Technology

DETROIT – This fall Cadillac delivers several innovative new technologies to consumers, as the brand continues its renaissance of new vehicles with dramatic designs and useful, intuitive new features. These new technologies range from important safety innovations to the pure enjoyment of enhanced in-vehicle entertainment and driving performance.
“Cadillac has a long heritage as a technology flagship for GM and the entire industry,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “Our philosophy is to continue to deliver purposeful technology in a way that adds safety and pleasure, not complexity, to the experience of driving a luxury vehicle.”

Safety: Smarter airbags and headlamps

The all-new Cadillac DTS full-size luxury sedan features a new technology taking air bags to a new level of precision, the industry’s first Dual Depth Air Bags. This GM co-patented technology enables an air bag to deploy in either of two sizes, depending upon the severity of the crash, seat belt usage and occupant seat position. When small air bag deployment is necessary, a tether is used to hold the air bag back to the smaller size, and gas is vented from the inflation canister. For large air bag deployment, the tether is released, the canister vent is shut off and the air bag is allowed to expand to its full size. The new DTS is in dealerships now.

Cadillac’s XLR roadster is a high-performance machine enabling drivers to carve up twisty roads, day or night. The 2006 XLR includes Adaptive Forward Lighting, a system allowing the headlamps to better illuminate the car’s path. This

advanced technology moves the lighting pattern in synch with vehicle steering, enhancing driver visibility in corners and on twisty road sections. The system allows an industry-best maximum of 15 degrees of movement.

The new DTS and the STS luxury sport sedan employ another form of “smart” headlamps, called IntelliBeam. This system automatically switches high-beam headlamps back to the normal low-beam setting when a vehicle’s headlamps or taillamps appear in front of the car. It also will switch the high-beams back on again automatically when the road is clear in front of the car. The system operates via a light-sensing metal oxide semiconductor, mounted onto a tiny camera that peers through the windshield searching for light sources in front of the car.

Entertainment: Stealth antennae, digital tunes

Most 2006 Cadillacs include the acclaimed XM Satellite Radio service (NASDAQ:XMSR) as standard equipment (not including subscription fees). The rapid expansion of satellite radio has made the plastic roof antennae a fixture on top of millions of vehicles on U.S. roads today. Cadillac is changing that with the industry-first “stealth” antennae for XM Radio on the XLR. The tiny antennae are cleverly concealed within the outside rear view mirrors, an industry-first. XLR includes a network of more than one dozen antennae throughout the car, all concealed under its striking exterior. These antennae power features such as the car’s AM/FM/XM radio, OnStar communication, GPS-powered navigation system, Keyless Access system for entry and exit, push-button start and tire pressure monitoring.

In the new STS and DTS sedans, Cadillac drivers can effortlessly add their digital music player to their vehicle’s entertainment system. The standard audio system of the DTS includes an audio input jack in the radio system expressly for digital music (mp3) players such as the Apple IPod. The all-new 2007 Escalade, in dealerships in early-2006, will also include an input for digital music players.

Convenience: The demise of the windshield ice scraper

Drivers of the all-new DTS have a reason to look forward to winter snow and ice. DTS includes a new heated windshield wash system. The system heats washer fluid to approximately 176 degrees in 40 seconds, then applies the hot fluid to the windshield in four shots over a span of 90 seconds. Working with the wipers, the system clears snow, ice and just about anything else, off the windshield – with the driver comfortably seated inside. Even in warmer weather the system is helpful, as the heated fluid more effectively clears debris such as bugs from the windshield.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by nsap

The new DTS and the STS luxury sport sedan employ another form of “smart” headlamps, called IntelliBeam. This system automatically switches high-beam headlamps back to the normal low-beam setting when a vehicle’s headlamps or taillamps appear in front of the car. It also will switch the high-beams back on again automatically when the road is clear in front of the car. The system operates via a light-sensing metal oxide semiconductor, mounted onto a tiny camera that peers through the windshield searching for light sources in front of the car.

Is this technology really necessary? It could be a little annoying for both the driver and the other guy getting momentarily high-beamed.

[GMFreak8]

Most 2006 Cadillacs include the acclaimed XM Satellite Radio service (NASDAQ:XMSR) as standard equipment (not including subscription fees). The rapid expansion of satellite radio has made the plastic roof antennae a fixture on top of millions of vehicles on U.S. roads today. Cadillac is changing that with the industry-first “stealth” antennae for XM Radio on the XLR. The tiny antennae are cleverly concealed within the outside rear view mirrors, an industry-first. XLR includes a network of more than one dozen antennae throughout the car, all concealed under its striking exterior. These antennae power features such as the car’s AM/FM/XM radio, OnStar communication, GPS-powered navigation system, Keyless Access system for entry and exit, push-button start and tire pressure monitoring.

Two XM antennas on the mirrors, I don't know about that, sounds like you'd get more signal dropouts than you normally do with the brick antenna. It'd make more sense if it was hidden somewhere in the roof, of course it'd have to be plastic not metal. I'd be interested to see how this technology works, and if it can be adapted to aftermarket tuners. I get a lot of questions asking if there is technology out there that allows you to use more than one antenna for improved reception.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by genjy

Is this technology really necessary? It could be a little annoying for both the driver and the other guy getting momentarily high-beamed.

I had a '59 Cadillac that had this very feature. It was called "Autronic Eye" back then. It worked rather well. Only street lamps, lightning, and people walking in front of the car wearing white shirts would confuse it. Also, it would need a direct light input, so if a car was approaching from around the turn, it wouldn't dim the lights until the headlights of that car actually shined on the device. A person can anticipate, these systems can merely react.

[01cavalier]

It may be annoying being hi-beamed, but at least it will help when there are so many idiots who do not turn them off. Thats a big pet peeve of mine! Plus, it will help increase the appropriate use of brights, thats a good thing to me.

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Whether the technology is really needed is up the individual. I think it's cool though. But that feature isn't anything really new. I remember my parents had a 69 Sedan DeVille that had the auto feature to turn the high beams on and off depending on the presents of other vehicles. I also believe it was offered on earlier model Cadillacs. Still, I think these are great features that Caddy is bringing to the market. I'm sure if Lexus or any other luxury brand offered it, no one would whine about it.

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Originally Posted by Buick61

I had a '59 Cadillac that had this very feature. It was called "Autronic Eye" back then. It worked rather well. Only street lamps, lightning, and people walking in front of the car wearing white shirts would confuse it. Also, it would need a direct light input, so if a car was approaching from around the turn, it wouldn't dim the lights until the headlights of that car actually shined on the device. A person can anticipate, these systems can merely react.

Thanks Buick, I thought it was offered before the 69 models. I remember it quite well.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

The old 1958 Cadillac Autronic Eye makes a comeback!

The problem with the old setup is if you drove up against something reflective, big road signs, garage door, it would be clicking on and off the highbeams continually!

[chev454ls]

That new windshield clearing system is genius for those of us living in northern climates. I don't know why nobody thought of it earlier.

[Buick61]

I believe Autronic Eye made its debut in 1953. That was out-of-this-world technology back then. It's interesting that they're bringing it back. What's next, tailfins and pushbutton transmissions? I surely hope so.

Oh wait, Aston Martin already has push-buttons....who will step up and offer fins again??

[saturnsteve]

Originally Posted by Smaart Aas Saabr

The old 1958 Cadillac Autronic Eye makes a comeback!

The problem with the old setup is if you drove up against something reflective, big road signs, garage door, it would be clicking on and off the highbeams continually!

My grandfather had a Caddy with that!! I remember this happening to him.

[GMFreak8]

I did think of the heated washer fluid earlier!! A few years ago I had the idea, but never did anything about it. A few months ago I heard about GM offering this and I could kick myself in the ass for not doing anything about it.

[Buick61]

GM isn't the first to offer heated washer fluid. We've had Mercedes-Benzes that have had that feature. Works great.

[DirtyMoney]

Do we need luxury?? Who asked that question??

[camaro chris]

Originally Posted by nsap

[size=5]
Safety: Smarter airbags and headlamps

The all-new Cadillac DTS full-size luxury sedan features a new technology taking air bags to a new level of precision, the industry’s first Dual Depth Air Bags. This GM co-patented technology enables an air bag to deploy in either of two sizes, depending upon the severity of the crash, seat belt usage and occupant seat position.

my dads '05 F150 already has this so its NOT an industry first.


Convenience: The demise of the windshield ice scraper

Originally Posted by nsap

Drivers of the all-new DTS have a reason to look forward to winter snow and ice. DTS includes a new heated windshield wash system. The system heats washer fluid to approximately 176 degrees in 40 seconds, then applies the hot fluid to the windshield in four shots over a span of 90 seconds. Working with the wipers, the system clears snow, ice and just about anything else, off the windshield – with the driver comfortably seated inside. Even in warmer weather the system is helpful, as the heated fluid more effectively clears debris such as bugs from the windshield.

i had this idea years ago!