Photo: Cadillac
After the Audi RS6 and Mercedes-Benz E63 started the all-wheel drive super sedan trend, our team of spy photographers spotted BMW testing the next-gen AWD M5 in Sweden. Succeeding the Teutonic uber sedan trio is General Motors, which is in the middle of developing an electric AWD system for Cadillac V-Series models and GM-made crossovers.
In the wake of the Hellcat brothers’ 707 horsepower and their rear-wheel drive limitation on putting those ponies down to the asphalt when launching off the line, the switch from RWD to AWD is only natural for the world of performance four-door sedans. As you already know, the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V and CTS-V are both rear-wheel drive, but an e-AWD is coming.
I know what you’re thinking and you’re spot on with this one. According to a report from Edmunds, it appears that the GM e-AWD system will retain the internal combustion engine’s drive to the rear axle, but add an electric motor up front to aid the wheels in launch control and heavy cornering situations.
A solution such as this one is also cost efficient due to the fact engineers won’t have to redevelop the GM Alpha platform, used by the outgoing Cadillac ATS and CTS and the upcoming 2016 Camaro. The GM e-AWD system also promises better economy ratings compared to a conventional all-wheel drive architecture.
However, there's a bit of a problem regarding the aforementioned cost-cutting solution. The previously mentioned publication had a chat with Cadillac CEO Johan de Nysschen earlier this month at the Detroit Auto Show. The chief exec is adamant that retrofitting an electric motor on GM’s existing RWD platforms isn’t doable in more than a single way.
de Nysschen declared that architectures must be designed from square one to house the electric motor, which suggests that the GM e-AWD will be employed by the next generation of Caddy models and General Motors-developed crossovers, starting with the soon-to-arrive 2016 Cadillac CT6 flagship sedan.
I know what you’re thinking and you’re spot on with this one. According to a report from Edmunds, it appears that the GM e-AWD system will retain the internal combustion engine’s drive to the rear axle, but add an electric motor up front to aid the wheels in launch control and heavy cornering situations.
A solution such as this one is also cost efficient due to the fact engineers won’t have to redevelop the GM Alpha platform, used by the outgoing Cadillac ATS and CTS and the upcoming 2016 Camaro. The GM e-AWD system also promises better economy ratings compared to a conventional all-wheel drive architecture.
However, there's a bit of a problem regarding the aforementioned cost-cutting solution. The previously mentioned publication had a chat with Cadillac CEO Johan de Nysschen earlier this month at the Detroit Auto Show. The chief exec is adamant that retrofitting an electric motor on GM’s existing RWD platforms isn’t doable in more than a single way.
de Nysschen declared that architectures must be designed from square one to house the electric motor, which suggests that the GM e-AWD will be employed by the next generation of Caddy models and General Motors-developed crossovers, starting with the soon-to-arrive 2016 Cadillac CT6 flagship sedan.
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