2013 Cadillac SRX

Even though Cadillac’s SRX gets allot of hate It is still a very Important vehicle for the brand (Guys, Not every Car in the line can be a RWD 500+ Horsepower brute) . It was actually Cadillac’s top selling model last year, moving over 56,000 units. Cadillac plans to keep the SRX up to date, and even though it has yet to see a decline in sales since the new model launched, a refresh is already in the works.

Car and Driver has managed to snag some spy photos of a development mule for the updated crossover on two occasions, one was almost a year ago when a mule for the now cancelled PHEV SRX was spotted sporting a new grille and an updated interior, and then once again this week a new mule was spotted bearing the same exterior (and presumably) interior updates, this new one also brings what car and driver thinks is a Cruise Control Radar to the table.

The new grille is blacked out on the mules, but the production model will be drizzled in delicate strips of chrome, or polished metal for a very premium look, as will the lower grille that has been redesigned as well to match. it’s nice that every Cadillac will be getting a unique grille, and Im actually glad they didn’t make the lighting look like the units on the ATS and XTS, it helps differentiate the model. I’m also expecting to see the light pipe infused door handles that we have been seeing on new models make their way to the SRX. No changes have been made to the rear, and It didn’t need any, I’m a huge fan of the Cadillac signature Verticle lighting, and I think it’s at its best on the SRX with the subtle fin design.

The Interior ditches the telescoping display and its analog controls for the Cadillac CUE system, and the Steering wheel is updated with the new unit found in the XTS and ATS.  A new instrument panel is also on the way, but it appears that this is as far as the interior changes go.

So once again GM is simply adding more features to an already very capable crossover. Head Oer to Car & Driver to see the rest of the photos: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2013-cadillac-srx-spy-photos-news

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2013-cadillac-srx-plug-in-hybrid-spy-photos-news

SAAB: Don't Count Me Out Just Yet

About a week ago a story surfaced that SAAB had thrown in the towel and the PheoniX platform had been sold to youngman, this is not true and the entire company may have been given the opportunity to do as the platform’s namesake did and rise from the dead. SAAB is Showing that it won’t go down without a fight, the latest development in a two year saga that the terminally ill Swedish brand has endured, has the now officially bankrupt carmaker in talks with The Turkish government, and Mahindra, an Indian automaker, who has been attempting to make a presence in the US for some time now, in a last ditch attempt to ward off SAAB’s looming liquidation. These new prospects could be more fruitful than the Youngman & Pan Dai ones because SAAB’s former parent GM may feel safer if their intellectual property is not in China, so there is a possibility they will approve these potential takeover packages. Originally there were 27 potential buyers for SAAB, I wonder why none of them have stepped in ?

The One That Got Away: The 2013 SAAB 9-3

The current 9-3 is about 9 to 10 years old, and though over its lengthy production line it has received a series of nose jobs and minor updates, its Age is definitely showing, and its sales are slowing. The 9-3 was slated to be replaced by a new model for the 2013 model year; the next 9-3 would have spawned a sedan, a convertible, a 3 door hatch, and a wagon. The cars styling was previewed by the much lauded F-Body like Phoenix concept, and recently grainy images of what was rumored to be the next 9-3 leaked. An advanced hybrid system was also rumored, riding on the 90% new Phoenix platform, which is a version of GM’s Epsilon one platform modified beyond recognition. Only ten percent of the platform was to be carried over to the longer lower and wider phoenix.  The platform was to be extremely flexible, capable of underpinning everything from the next 9-3 to an all-new 9-7 flagship (no relation to the 9-7X) however for cars smaller than the 9-3, like the rumored 9-2 the platform would have become too expensive, so SAAB looked into using BMW’s Mini platform.  The phoenix platform may still have life in it, even if Saab doesn’t because two parties have shown interest in purchasing the rights to the platform, and SAAB’s advanced android based infotainment system IQon, Youngman, and the Turkish government, the latter has shown interest in creating a car brand, and hopes to acquire the platform to build a car around. There is still time for a new investor to save SAAB but time is running out fast for the unique Swedish Brand