Q: What's the driving nature of this car? Should we expect something similar to the CTS and ATS?
A:
Yes, you can see it's built off the rear-wheel-drive architecture. Our
goal was to retain all of that fun-to-drive nature. Direct steering
feel, responsive handling. Going forward, we ask how we can continuously
improve, and that was really about driving more sophistication in the
ride, a much more mannered car that's better for impact harshness and
rolling isolation, really provides comfort when you want comfort over
tire strips and heaves in the road. Really getting that level of
isolation, but not compromising that handling and direct steering feel
of the Cadillac sedans we've grown accustomed to.
Q: How is this car different from the CTS underneath, and other Alpha platform cars?
A:
I would say this is a major revision. A lot of new parts, a lot of new
part numbers, a significant evolution. In the suspension space, the
links are all new, and there's been a lot of work done in isolation, so
the bushings and strut mounts are all new. We've evolved the Alpha
platform to now get the ride control and road isolation, the comfort
aspects of it all. There are a lot of structural improvements like a
changed wheelbase, an evolution in rear foot-swing and foot space from
the fuel tank area to get in and out of the car better.
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As we developed this structure, it was about overall structural body
stiffness, and impedance at the chassis attachments to really get that
level of isolation from road inputs. We try to have a calm floor, a
steering wheel that doesn't vibrate, and quiet to the driver's ear.
Those were the paths we went after to really drive the structure to the
right stiffness requirements, structural integrity, a lot of development
into suspension bushings, tuning elements, strut mounts. We have a new
damper technology, a ZF damper. It has MVS damper technology. It's a
multi-valve system that provides less harshness from an NVH standpoint
and a great optimization balance of motion control with ride inputs. So
we'll be able to get great handling and still maintain a softer ride. I
think we're the first out, an industry exclusive, with these shocks.
There's a suspension change, rubber change, linear travels, a lot of
work with the tires. We have new technology with sealant tires that
provide great damping and rolling isolation and even the run-flats are a
new generation of tire.
Q: What's the reasoning behind this design? Sportback shape?
A: We took some inspiration from the
Escala,
that fastback profile and developing from a design standpoint, the
proportions, tires at the corners, short overhangs, wide stance, getting
a vehicle that looks like it's athletic.
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We also went at it from a
sound standpoint, really trying to drive cabin noise down as far as we
could go. That was driving that road noise, wind noise and powertrain
noise down to minimums. Taking the unwanted noise out, and bringing the
attractive noises in and other Cadillac curated sounds.
Q: Let's chat about the new badging, in using the Newton-meter approximate value on the decklid of the CT5.
A:
This is a Cadillac strategy, and it's a look to the future. We
announced the idea that we're coming with an electric lineup in the
future. Obviously, engine displacement doesn't exist anymore with an
electric lineup, so how do you differentiate between performance models.
Torque will still be a differentiator. So I think it was a look to the
future. In terms of Newton meters versus foot-pounds it's debatable, but
we're a global company and we want it to be globally relevant
throughout the world.
Q: Are there any mechanical differences between the Sport and Luxury trims?
A:
Specifically to the suspension, they are the same. There's a
thicker-rimmed steering wheel and lateral bolsters in the seat on the
Sport. Brembo brakes are standard on the Sport, too. We will have summer
tires on a future variant that we're not going to discuss that is
near-term.
Q: Tell us more about this "future variant."
A: Stay tuned. More to come on that one. It'll be a good news story.
Q: Manual transmission?
A: Discussion for another day. Stay tuned on that one. Perhaps a combined story with the previous topic you asked about.
