All-New Cadillac XT4 Enters Compact Luxury SUV Market

The all-new 2019 XT4 (Fig. 1) is Cadillac’s first entry in the compact luxury SUV market. The 5-passenger SUV is available as a front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) model with three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport.

The compact XT4 has a wheelbase of 109.4 inches (277.9 cm) with an overall length of 181.1 inches (460 cm). It has 6.7 inches (17 cm) of ground clearance.

Fig. 1

 

New Turbocharged Engine

The XT4’s new 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine (RPO LSY) (Fig. 2) — featuring Active Fuel Management (AFM), Spark Ignited Direct Injection (SIDI), Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) — produces 237 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque with a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) estimated time of 7 seconds (FWD) or 7.2 seconds (AWD). It’s the first engine built off the new cylinder set strategy (CSS) engine architecture.

Fig. 2

Cadillac designed the new turbocharged 2.0L engine for the XT4 to deliver performance along with fuel efficiency. It has a twin-scroll turbocharger to help reduce turbo lag while also using Active Fuel Management (AFM) and an automatic engine stop/start system to help improve fuel economy. To better balance power output with fuel economy, the engine also has a Sliding Cam Valve Lift System (SCS) that modifies camshaft timing under changing engine demand.

A new active thermal management cooling system on the engine is used to control the coolant temperature, sending heat where it is needed to reduce friction and to heat the passenger compartment while also cooling the engine and transmission.

An electric water pump is mounted to the bottom left side of the engine and supplies the coolant flow through the entire active thermal management system. The ECM controls the water pump over the Local Interconnect Network (LIN).

The main rotary valve and the block rotary valve are combined into one unit called the coolant control valve. The main rotary valve distributes coolant to the transmission and engine oil heat exchangers as well as the radiator and cabin heat exchangers. The block rotary valve provides coolant flow for engine block temperature control as well as cabin heating during warm-up.

 

Engine Oil

Use dexos1® – GEN 2 full synthetic SAE 0W-20 engine oil in the 2.0L turbo engine.

TIP: The lower engine oil pan is made of plastic and is attached at the engine block lower structural extension. (Fig. 3) Do not use the oil pan to lift the engine.

Fig. 3

 

Air Filter

The Engine Air Filter Monitor is a software feature that uses sensors to read the pressure drop across the engine air filter. A higher pressure drop indicates that more debris has accumulated in the filter. A computer-based algorithm uses the pressure drop reading and the age of the air filter to calculate a precise reading of air filter life, which can be viewed as a percentage on the Driver Information Center (DIC).

If the air filter should be replaced at the next engine oil change, the Replace at Next Oil Change message will display on the DIC. If the Replace Now message is displayed, the air filter should be replaced as soon as possible. The air filter life status should be reset using the DIC controls after replacing the air filter.

 

9-Speed Transmission

The Hydra-Matic 9T50 automatic transmission (RPO M3H) is a 9-speed, transverse mounted, electronically-controlled transmission. (Fig. 4) It consists primarily of a 4-element torque converter, a compound planetary gear set, friction and mechanical clutch assemblies, and a hydraulic pressurization and control system. Drivers make a gear selection using the Electronic Precision Shift lever.

Fig. 4

Electronic Precision Shift (EPS), or Electronic Transmission Range Selector (ETRS), features a console-mounted lever to shift gears electronically. (Fig. 5) It does not use a mechanical connection. The shift pattern, displayed on the top of the shift lever, is a straight up-and-down pattern, which is slightly different from the pattern of the EPS in the XT5.

Fig. 5

The selected gear position illuminates in red on the shift lever, while all others are white. If the shift is not immediate, as in very cold temperatures, the indicator on the shift lever may flash until it is fully engaged. The shift lever always starts from a center position and, after releasing the shift lever, returns to the center position. The shifter has a dedicated Park button at the top of the lever and a Shift Lock Release button on the left side of the lever. The Shift Lock Release button must be pressed to shift out of Park or to shift into Reverse.

 

AWD System

The all-wheel drive (AWD) system with Active Twin Clutch on the XT4 electronically splits the torque as needed between the rear wheels using twin clutches. Compared to a single clutch system with a 50/50 split, the Active Twin Clutch has the capability to enhance traction and stability across all driving conditions. Plus, by not pushing torque when it’s not needed, the system improves vehicle fuel economy.

 

Active Sport Suspension

Available as an option on the Sport Trim is the Active Sport Suspension, which features Continuous Damping Control with electronic sensors that monitor the road in real time and make damping adjustments every two milliseconds.

Suspension characteristics as well as steering and powertrain tuning can be changed at any time by the driver by using the Mode button on the center console to select a different Drive Mode setting. (Fig. 6)

Fig. 6

 

Integrated Brake Control

The XT4 is the first Cadillac to use electro-hydraulic braking assist, which enhances fuel economy and takes up less space under the hood compared to a traditional vacuum-assisted power braking system.

The system uses an Integrated Brake Control (IBC), also called the K160 Brake System Control Module, which interprets and converts driver brake pedal input and provides a corresponding hydraulic pressure output to activate a standard brake system.

Depending on optional equipment, vehicle performance systems may include antilock brakes (ABS), traction control, electronic stability control, brake pad life monitoring, Dynamic Rear Proportioning, brake drying, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and others.

 

Next Generation Infotainment Systems

The XT4 offers two infotainment systems (RPOs IOS, IOT) that include the next generation of the Cadillac User Experience. The system is designed to operate more like a smartphone and features high-resolution screen graphics, faster response to inputs, and improved voice recognition technology.

It also includes Near Field Communication (NFC) device pairing. NFC is a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices, such as a smartphone, to establish communication by bringing them within 1.57 inches (4 cm) or less of each other. To pair a compatible smartphone using the NFC system, simply hold the phone up to the NFC icon near the Home button below the infotainment screen. (Fig. 7) After pairing is initiated, confirm the codes that appear on the infotainment screen.

Fig. 7

The Bluetooth system also enables two phones to be paired at the same time. The infotainment system will connect to the phone that is set to First to Connect, which can be selected by going to Settings > System > Phones and touching the Information icon by the phone name. The secondary phone can only receive calls.

 

Rotary Controller

In addition to the touch screen, a multi-function rotary controller for interacting with the infotainment system is located on the center console. The center console controls consist of a large dial that enables movement between apps and menus (press the controller to select an item); a small dial for audio volume/tuning along with seek buttons; and shortcut buttons for Home, Audio, Phone, and Navigation (if equipped) menus as well as a Back button to return to a previous menu. (Fig. 8)

Fig. 8

 

Driver Assistance Systems

Depending on option packages, the new XT4 features a number of active safety and driver awareness systems. (Fig. 9) Available systems include:

  • Safety Alert Seat
  • Rear Camera Mirror
  • Surround Vision 360-degree Camera
  • Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
  • Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
  • Front/Rear Park Assist
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Front Pedestrian Braking
  • Forward Collision Alert
  • Forward/Reverse Automatic Braking
  • Head-Up Display
  • Automatic Parking Assist with Braking

Fig. 9

 

Hands-Free Power Liftgate

The power liftgate can be programmed to an adjustable height using the power button next to the pull handle. It also features hands-free operation, which is activated by kicking your foot straight under the left corner of the rear bumper. (Fig. 10, A) The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter must be within 3 feet (0.91 meters) of the liftgate.

To indicate the hands-free kicking location, the vehicle logo projects on the ground near the left corner of the rear bumper (Fig. 10, B) when an RKE transmitter is detected within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of the liftgate. The logo is shown for one minute, depending on operating conditions.

Fig. 10

 

Special Tools

The following new special tools were released for the 2019 XT4.

Special Tools
Tool Number Description
EN-51955 Injector Seal Protector, Installer, Sizer
EN-52287 Harmonic Balancer Holder
EN-52436 Timing Chain Tensioner Retention Tool
EN-52439 Crankshaft Oil Seal Ring Guide – Rear
EN-52440 Crankshaft Oil Seal Ring Guide – Front
EN-52441 Balance Shaft Timing Tool
EN-52442 Balance Shaft Holding Tool
EN-52443 HP Fuel Pump Alignment Tool
EN-52461-100 Adapter 50T of Cam Phaser Torque Reaction Tool
EN-52462-A Camshaft Tool
EN-52476 Flywheel Lock and Alignment Tool
EN-52461 Cam Phaser Torque Reaction Tool
EN-52486 Oil Pressure Gauge Adapter
EN-52483 Guide Pins (Cover Inst.)
EN-50791-100 Adapter, Fuel Injector Installation Tool
CH-52519 EVAP Service Port Adapter
EN-51007-10 Engine Support Fixture Adapter Feet
CH-47976-517 Adapter, Cable G8
EN-52055-150 Lift Table Adapter
EN-52055 Lift Table Adapter Set
GE-52200 Powertrain Lift Table
9T50 Transmission (RPO M3H) Special Tools have been shipped previously for other GM vehicles. The tools also are available through the GM Loan Tool Program (U.S.) and for purchase by calling 1-800-GM-TOOLS.

 

For more information on the new 2019 XT4, refer to Bulletin #18-NA-258.

 

– Thanks to Richard Miller and Sherman Dixon

Service Know-How
2019 XT4 Features New Integrated Brake Control

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