CADILLAC SRX
Rationality revisited
- Published: 9/01/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
All-new Caddy crossover may not come to Thailand yet, but it underscores GM's serious attempt to bring forward its 'downsizing' principle to all of its in-house brands including Chevrolet
- Caddys are surely looking better these days...
We can't fail to agree. The SRX becomes the latest Cadillac to get the brand's individualistic wedgy design cues. Note all those angular elements in these first pictures handed out by the Americans - it surely makes the SRX stand out in the SUV... er, sorry, crossover class.
- Enlighten me again: what's a crossover?
This new emerging breed of vehicle is an informal mix between an SUV and an estate. In other words, crossover is a look-alike sport-ute with car-like driving dynamics. Makers acknowledge that buyers like high-riding cars but don't go off-road.
- I see. So no more four-wheel-drive system...
Not exactly. While the number of SUVs (and crossovers) equipped with two-wheel-drive systems are increasing these days, Cadillac for one is still fitting all-wheel-drive in the SRX, perhaps in the interest of image and all-weather drivability.
- To also cope with their powerful engines, right?
That could have been the case in the past, but not necessarily today, particularly with the advancements made in chassis engineering. In fact, the 3.6-litre V6 of the old SRX has now been replaced by a smaller 3.0-litre version with 260hp on tap. For those yearning V8 performance, there's a "downsized" 300hp 2.8-litre turbocharged V6, both with six-speed autos.
- You mean the SRX doesn't rival the BMW X5 anymore?
Yes, not a direct competitor anymore. That's because the SRX has slightly shrunken in size - it's now a proper five-seater, not a seven-seater like before - to chase the likes of the Lexus RX. At 4.8m long and with 2.9m of it already going between the front and rear axles, the SRX now sits between the X3 and X5 in size.
- What's with this downsizing principle?
Cars need to go greener these days - obese gas-guzzlers aren't in vogue anymore. And General Motors, for one, knows this well (how can they not?). Actually, the SRX is also intended for sale in Europe where efficiency rules. That theoretically makes the SRX compatible for sale in Thailand which, however, is not going to happen in the near future.
- But maybe with Chevrolet cars...
Highly likely. For instance, the new Optra (now called Cruze) would be getting 1.4-litre turbo engine in place of today's 1.6 and 1.8, while the future Captiva could be seeing 1.6-litre turbo instead of the existing 2.4. It's all a matter of time - and whether the market accepts this principle.
- You mean Thais love big engines?
Not for their fuel consumption, but for their performance. The average Thai still regard engine displacement more than power and torque outputs, despite the superior drivability of turbocharged engines. That's why the Excise Department tends to penalise big and powerful engines with taxes that rise progressively, even though when such motors can also be more economical than smaller ones.
- But it's the other way around here...
Yup, the other side of the coin, so to speak. The current tax structure can also encourage carmakers to bring smaller engines. Just don't tune the Optra's 1.4-litre turbo to over 220hp - tax immediately jumps from 30 to 50%. Perhaps, it's about time to introduce a tax system based on emissions and fuel consumption - regardless of engine type, size and power - like other developed countries are doing.
- WIDE & CLEAR
- Tweaks for 207
- Seven becomes sporty
- PPVs come under scrutiny
- Land Rover Defender 90 SW
- TIME TO DOWNSIZE
- ROGUE APPEAL
- Hybrid 'eclipses' diesel
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