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Pioneering technical achievements
Rόsselsheim. In addition to the extraordinary design of its cars, luxury American brand Cadillac primarily owes its leading global position to the technical progressiveness of its products. For over 100 years, Cadillac has stood for breakthrough developments and perfected concepts in all areas of automotive design completely in the spirit of the talented engineer who founded the company, Henry M. Leland (1843 1932). In 1958, America's "Popular Mechanics" magazine asked renowned automotive historians to name milestones in the evolution of the car. Cadillac was the only manufacturer to boast four achievements: replaceable spare parts (1908), electric self-starter (1912), first mass-produced V8 (1914) and synchromesh transmission (1929). Early pioneering achievements that to this day have a decisive influence on the automotive world. A list today would also have to include more recent Cadillac innovations e.g. the first airbag restraint system (1974) or the innovative "NightVision" system (2000). In addition to the permanent search for technical enhancements for the benefit of customers, the company showed their strategic foresight by providing the constitutional prerequisites for the creative potential of the workforce from the outset. Early on, in 1907, Henry M. Leland and his son Wilfred founded the "Cadillac School of Applied Mechanics" the very first training institute set up by a carmaker. In a further pioneering move, General Motors President James J. Storrow created the "General Motors Research Department" in February 1911 a centralized research, development and testing division. The proving grounds in Milford/Michigan opened its gates in 1924. Engines: Off the mark with a popular and powerful single-cylinder An engine can never really be too good but it was precisely this paradox that faced Henry M. Leland in the early days of Cadillac; in 1901 the ingenious constructor had built a single-cylinder engine at his company (Leland and Faulconer) based on the plans of Oldsmobile founder Ransom E. Olds and revamped it so adeptly that it generated an astonishing 10.3 instead of 3.7 hp. Olds, however, had no use for this masterpiece of engine construction, because his cars were simply unable to cope with the threefold increase in horsepower. As a result, Henry M. Leland and partners founded the Cadillac Automobile company on August 22, 1902, initially to produce chassis and bodies for his powerful but dependable engines. The revamped single-cylinder engine made with the utmost precision powered the very first Cadillac, the 1902 Model A. The square bore-stroke engine generated exactly ten horsepower from its 1609 cc capacity. The valve train was ahead of its time; whereas other manufacturers still employed blow valves, in this case a camshaft in the block actuated the two overhead valves via long pushrods. In 1905, the Cadillac single-cylinder was the most-produced engine in the world, in fact increasing unit sales to 14,000 in 1906. Mounted behind the rear seat, this engine remained in the range until 1908. It had already met competition within the company in 1904's Model D: the smooth-running and more powerful four-cylinder with a 4928 cc capacity and a hefty 30 hp. A born winner: Cadillac inspired by eight-cylinder in V-form V for Victory the success story of the Cadillac marque began, however with an eight-cylinder whose two cylinder banks faced each other in a V-formation. This, the first mass-produced V8 in the world, debuted in September 1914 in the Type 51. The engine layout designed then is to this day the standard for American automobiles; Cadillac alone built around 48,000 V8 models a year between 1927 and 1929. An extraordinary success that was in fact consolidated in the 1970s thanks to the popular DeVille series. In 1973, for example, production of the Series 6D exceeded 216,000. The "granddaddy" of all Cadillac V8s, the long-stroke Type 51, generated 70 hp from a 5146 cc capacity. Its cylinder angle of 90° ensured smooth running via the sound balancing of masses. From 1923 onward, it included a counterweighted crankshaft, an innovation that provided even smoother running. The V8 never had temperature problems, its all-new thermostatic cooling (underlined terms: see glossary) with two water pumps being extremely efficient. Pioneer: Innovative ideas for engine design True to the American motto "There's no replacement for displacement," the cylinder volume increased practically every new model year. After the zenith was reached in 1970 at 8.2 liters the largest capacity of any production passenger car the V8 engines started to get smaller for the first time in 1977. Cadillac engineers maintained their leading role in engine design, ensuring a continuous improvement in smooth running as well as fuel consumption and emissions with innovations such as the thermostatically controlled carburetor (1922), emission control (1967), closed cooling system (1969), electronic fuel injection (1975) and cylinder cutout (1980). In 1978, the Seville was available for the first time with a 5.7-liter diesel V8 engine, while in 1985 the DeVille debuted the space-saving combination of a transverse V8 engine with front-wheel drive. Cadillac's current range is also dominated by V8 engines; with a 4.6-liter capacity and 400 hp, the Seville is one of the most powerful front-drive production car. The DeVille and Eldorado models available in the USA have the same capacity, while the V8 in the Escalade 2WD boasts 5.3 liters and Escalade 4WD and EXT exactly 6.0 liters. The Northstar engine in the Seville has no problem meeting the high technical standards of the Cadillac marque. It is so reliable that its first tune-up changing the spark plugs is scheduled for 160,000 kilometers. Sophisticated monitoring systems incorporating a total of 29 sensors across the powertrain ensure irregularities are instantaneously spotted and rectified. Even if the engine loses coolant, after a minor accident for example, the car can limp to the nearest garage at speeds of 80 kph. The engine accomplishes this by alternately delivering fuel to four of the eight cylinders, the remaining four pumping air to cool the engine. Premiere: First passenger car with prestigious V16 "Performance such as the world has never witnessed" announced a Cadillac advertisement in 1930 and this was certainly no exaggeration. After all, the world's first V16 engine for passenger-car use revolutionized driving with its extremely smooth running thanks to hydraulic valve damping and the enormous torque power at low revs. The prestigious engine featured a cylinder angle of just 45° and a 7404 cc capacity. Even more impressive than the peak output of 165 hp was the maximum torque: a sumptuous 325 Nm were available at between 1,200 and 1,500 rpm. Despite the global economic depression, in 1937 around 3,900 prosperous customers chose one of the Series 452 luxury sedans with a 16-cylinder engine. The V12 was launched in July 1930 for those looking for something a little smaller. Its shorter bore gave it a capacity of 6063 cc. Cadillac engineers made history again in 1938, when they presented a new V16; this engine with a 135° cylinder angle was 15 centimeters shorter than its predecessor, weighed around 100 kilograms less and made do with 1,600 instead of 3,300 components. The Series 40-90 from 1940 was the last of almost 500 models to have this engine making it the last Cadillac for almost 40 years with fewer or more than eight cylinders. The future of engine design at Cadillac is illustrated by the all-new Northstar XV12 concept engine in the Cien, with special technical features such as direct fuel injection, a variable intake system, automatic cylinder cutout and variable valve timing. The specifications of the compact aluminum engine with four valves per cylinder and four overhead camshafts: 7.5-liter capacity, top output of 560 kW/750 hp and a peak torque of 610 Nm. Smooth transmission: From synchro-mesh to adaptive automatic Anyone who has driven a vintage car will be familiar with the awful jerking during shifting, when the engine speed is not matched to the car speed by way of double-declutching. The ease and quiet with which we can engage the right gear today is thanks to a further breakthrough Cadillac invention the synchro-mesh transmission from 1929. Before the first customers were able to enjoy this smooth-shifting system, test drivers put it through around two million kilometers, thereby proving its extreme dependability. For all the manual gearbox's user-friendliness, the 1940s saw most Cadillac customers prefer technology to take full control of the gears. The automatic gearbox developed jointly with Oldsmobile became extremely popular after its launch in 1941. In 1952, the smooth-shifting automatic gearboxes were standard-fitted for the first time and were to become so universally popular that the new CTS is the first Cadillac for over 20 years to have an optional manual gearbox. Modern automatic gearboxes have since become a lot smarter; in 1985, for example, the DeVille was the first Cadillac to feature a fuel-efficient torque converter lockup. It still worked with oil pressure. The 5-speed automatic in the CTS, however, uses electronic control for limited slip. The PAS (Performance Algorithm Shifting) program, which lets the gearbox perform intuitively like a manual during aggressive driving, was premiered by Cadillac in the 1998 Seville. As a driver brakes for a corner, for example, the "smart" transmission changes does not shift up, just as a skilled driver would do with a manual box. The engine management uses a variety of parameters such as speed, steering angle und throttle position to assess the situation. As with a manual box, the braking effort of the CTS engine can be applied at all speeds a first in automatic technology that reduces brake wear on mountain passes. Electrical and electronic wizardry: From ignition to suspension control Tragic events led to a landmark invention; one of the best friends of company founder Henry M. Leland died when helping a Cadillac driver to start her car. Unfortunately, she had not adjusted the ignition. In the resulting backfire, the heavy crank kicked back and fatally injured Leland's friend. This inspired the grief-stricken engineers to develop the electrical self-starter. It was premiered in the 1912 Model Thirty, two years after Cadillac's electrical ignition invention made driving a car even easier. Electrical innovations continued to play a major role for Cadillac in the second half of the 20th century as its cars spoiled passengers with extraordinary comfort and supreme luxury. This required a corresponding number of electric motors to do the magic. The 1957 Eldorado Brougham, for example, was standard-fitted with power windows, power front seats with memory, fully automatic power antenna and automatic door locks. Cynics claimed that the equipment list was longer than the flagship itself the Eldorado measured no less than 5.49 meters. Modern engine management, all-new comfort and infotainment functions as well as ingenious vehicle handing systems are automatically included in the equipment package all of today's Cadillacs. The current Seville, for example, boasts dozens of sensors for lightning-quick response to a range of parameters such as speed, steering angle and vehicle position. The real-time processing of this information is illustrated by the Seville's Magnetic Ride Control suspension. The liquid in the shock absorbers contains minute metal particles. If the onboard computer senses that the damping forces need to be adapted, it sends electrical currents to electromagnetic coils. Located in each of the shock absorbers, the latter immediately apply a magnetic field. This aligns the metal particles into defined structures, thereby changing the shear structures of the MR fluid. This system reacts 1000 times quicker to changing road conditions than conventional suspension set ups. Superlatives in the brand's history
Technical glossary Technical innovations and production premieres, past and present Adaptive seating The first individual adaptive seating was premiered by Cadillac in the 1998 Seville STS. A network of 10 air cells are spread across the seat cushion, seat back and side supports. The pressure in each cell can then be adjusted by the driver as desired. The following year saw an optional massage function for added lumbar support and further enhanced comfort. Active suspension Electronic ride control can adapt the damping properties according to road conditions or speed. Cadillac's first contribution was 1993's Road Sensing Suspension (RSS), followed in 1996 by Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension (CVRSS) with an infinite range of settings. The new Magnetic Ride Control magnetic suspension has underlined the pioneering role of General Motors in this area since its introduction in spring 2002. Airbag It was back in 1974 that Cadillac, together with Buick and Oldsmobile, introduced this passive restraint system. During a head-on collision, an inflator blows up an air cushion in milliseconds. The gas softens the impact of the occupant, thereby reducing the severity of potential head and torso injuries. Airbags have since become smarter; innovative sensor technology and advanced computer programming in the latest Seville detect whether the front passenger seat is occupied and, should a collision occur, automatically adjust the speed of deployment of the airbag to compensate for the height and weight of the occupant. Automatic gearbox One year after being premiered by Oldsmobile, the so-called "HydraMatic" system developed by Earl A. Thompson was introduced to Cadillac vehicles in 1941. Crucial components are the fluid coupling that allowed slip, planetary gears as well as brake bands for the individual gear speeds and the valve body housing that controls the selection of the right gear ratio according to speed and engine torque. Automatically dimmed headlights "Autronic Eye" was the name given in 1951 to Cadillac's optional extra that prevented other road users being dazzled. A prism lens caught the light of oncoming traffic and automatically dipped the car's headlights until the other vehicle had passed. The manually dimmed rear-view mirror followed two years later. Twilight Sentinel, which automatically turns the lights on and off, debuted in 1964. Electrical self-starter An engine that started with ease instead of awkward manual cranking caused a sensation in 1912's Cadillac Thirty. The invention of Charles Franklin Kettering (1876 1956) supplied current to an armature, and a one-way clutch then turned over the engine. Electrical ignition Charles F. Kettering likewise created the Delco coil ignition system (Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company). Although it still employed a contact breaker point, the current in the ignition coil was now already being controlled by a transistor. Advantages over the magneto are greater dependability, longer contact life and the omission of ignition adjustment before each start. In 1910, electrical ignition became standard on all Thirty models. Electronic fuel injection The 1975 Seville was the first American car to boast this extremely precise and economical system. Automatic climate control "Comfort Control" was the name given in 1964 to the first thermostatically regulated air conditioning in the world. Drivers needed only to set the desired interior temperature and leave the system to cool the air accordingly. LED technology Light-Emitting-Diodes light up in nanoseconds, making them far faster than conventional light bulbs a crucial safety plus. The semiconductors are at the same time considerably longer. In 1992, Cadillac incorporated the new technology in the Seville's third brake light. In the 2000 DeVille, the diodes are employed in both the high brake light and the taillamps an auto industry first. Air suspension The 1957 Eldorado Brougham was the first Cadillac to feature this high-comfort form of suspension. An electric motor drives a compressor that creates compressed air. The latter is distributed via valves to each wheel, where it continues the work in bellows. Nighttime vision An infrared-based thermal imaging camera enables the driver to make out darkly-dressed pedestrians or stray animals even if out of headlight range. The innovative "NightVision" system celebrated its world premiere in 2000 in the DeVille. Power steering In 1954, Cadillac became the first carmaker to make this steering aid standard equipment in all its models. A pump driven by the engine supplies the required hydraulic pressure that reduces the steering effort. Further Cadillac innovations include the first tilt and telescoping steering wheel (1965) and the first variable-ratio power steering in the USA. The current Magnasteer system launched in 1996 is sensitive to speed and lateral acceleration. It varies the power assistance via a magnetic field (see MagneRide operation under "Active suspension"). Safety glass New security-plate glass was introduced in 1929, increasing the strength of all windows and thereby reducing the risk of injury to occupants. Synchronizer Earl A. Thompson is the father of the "SynchroMesh" transmission premiered in 1929. A special bronze ring on the synchronizer sleeve rubbed against the side of the gear, the resultant friction changing its speed so that the teeth could slide into place. This enabled smooth shifting. Thermostatically controlled cooling A water pump first pushes the coolant through the engine in a small circuit that bypasses the cooler. As soon as the coolant reaches a certain temperature, a thermostatic valve opens the larger circuit. Thermostatically controlled cooling was an outstanding feature of the 1914 V8 engine and replaced thermosyphon cooling. In 1969, Cadillac became the first American carmaker to introduce the modern closed cooling system with a discharge valve and coolant recovery. Cylinder cutout A V8 that could also mutate into a six or even four-cylinder engine with better fuel economy was already introduced by Cadillac in 1981. The engine electronics automatically disabled two or four cylinders to reduce the capacity from 6 to 4.5 or 3 liters. | |||||||||||||||
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