Its electronics can supposedly “anticipate” hazards and road imperfections before the vehicle reaches them.
Cadillac has launched sales of a new hybrid XT5 crossover in China, combining premium equipment with an advanced driver-assistance system. The vehicle's electronics can supposedly “anticipate” hazards and road imperfections before the vehicle reaches them.
The new Cadillac XT5 starts at 259,900 yuan, or about $36,300. The crossover retains the styling associated with Cadillac's American lineup, but it gets a more efficient powertrain and an advanced autonomous-driving system.
The Cadillac XT5 measures 192.4 inches long, 77.0 inches wide and 66.5 inches tall, with a 112.7-inch wheelbase. Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with three electric motors. Combined output reaches 523 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, allowing the XT5 to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds.
The onboard battery provides up to 134 miles of electric-only range. With a full tank and charged battery, the crossover can reportedly travel about 845 miles before refueling. Fuel consumption is rated at roughly 384 mpg in the combined cycle under China's testing methodology, although that figure is not directly comparable with EPA fuel-economy ratings. With the battery depleted, consumption rises to about 39 mpg.
One of the Cadillac XT5's biggest selling points is its advanced driver-assistance system. It includes a lidar sensor capable of detecting objects up to 656 feet away, along with five radar sensors, 11 cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors. The system is built around Momenta's R7 platform, which has recently begun appearing in production vehicles.
The system has reportedly been trained using billions of miles of real-world driving data, allowing it to interpret a huge variety of road situations. Momenta R7 can continue operating in areas without an internet connection. It is designed to provide automated driving assistance across different types of roads, predict the likely direction of nearby vehicles and make steering adjustments with centimeter-level precision.
The XT5's electronics can also automatically park the vehicle and reproduce the path it traveled during the previous 492 feet. That feature could prove particularly useful when a driver enters a dead-end street and needs to retrace the same route.
The crossover rides on a suspension with electronically controlled damping. Its electronics can predict changes in road conditions and adjust the suspension in advance to maintain a smoother, more comfortable ride. Suspension sensors scan the road ahead at distances of up to 66 feet.
Inside, the XT5 features a 33-inch display, an AI-powered infotainment system capable of processing voice commands, an infrared camera that monitors the driver's condition and checks for occupants, two high-output wireless charging pads and a compact refrigerator.