SRX: Better Late Than Never

It may be late to the luxury cross/utility vehicle (CUV) market, but the Cadillac SRX remains an innovator, claims Cadillac Marketing General Manager Mark LaNeve.

“We are late to market, you're right,” acknowledges LaNeve to media gathered in Rochester Hills, MI, at General Motors Corp.'s Vision Center for the unveiling of an SRX foam model. “But no one has a product like this, with this kind of performance and with three rows of seats.”

Inspired by the 2001 Vizon concept, the SRX will go into production at GM's Lansing (MI) Grand River assembly plant in mid 2003. It will be built on the auto maker's rear-wheel-drive Sigma platform, and also be available with all-wheel drive. Two engines will be offered, both mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission (currently used in the CTS). The Northstar V-8 powerplant will make 315 hp while the forthcoming High Feature V-6 will produce roughly 250 hp, says Jim Taylor, Sigma vehicle line executive.

Other SRX options include a power-operated third-row seat that folds flat into the cargo floor and a super-sized sunroof over the entire passenger compartment.

Codenamed GMT265, SRX features GM's MagneRide suspension system and a 116-in. (294.6 cm) wheelbase. It sits about 3 ins. (7.6 cm) higher than a luxury sedan and 4 ins. (10.1 cm) lower than a typical midsize SUV.

The SRX will share much of its architecture and technological features with the upcoming Seville due in 2004, Taylor says.