All-New 2020 Cadillac XT6 Joins Luxury SUV Market

The all-new 2020 XT6 (Fig. 1) is Cadillac’s newest entry in the three-row luxury SUV market. Available as Premium Luxury and Sport models, the XT6 offers a luxurious cabin, refined ride and a comprehensive collection of safety technologies packaged with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

 

Fig. 1

 

Powertrain

The only engine available on the XT6 is the second generation 3.6L V6 engine (RPO LGX) with variable valve timing (VVT), direct injection (DI), Active Fuel Management (AFM) and a Stop/Start System (RPO KL9). (Fig. 2)

 

Fig 2

 

The AFM system consists of the camshafts, valves, switching roller finger followers (SRFF), dual feed hydraulic lash adjusters and the oil control valve (OCV). Depending on engine RPM, the ECM sends a signal to the OCV commanding it either on or off. With the AFM system on, the OCV directs oil to the dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster, unlatching the switching roller finger followers, creating zero lift and not allowing the valves to open on cylinders two and five. With the AFM system off, the OCV is not active and oil is not directed to the dual feed hydraulic lash adjuster. The switching roller finger followers operate as a normal rocker arm and all valves open.

The 3.6L engine uses dexos1 approved – GEN 2 full synthetic SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade engine oil.

The Hydra-Matic® 9T65 9-speed transmission (RPO M3W) in the 2020 XT6 is a transverse-mounted, electronically-controlled transmission. (Fig. 3) 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 with an on-axis design (all the gears are in line with the engine crankshaft).

 

Fig. 3

 

Control of the 9-speed transmission is through the Electronic Precision Shift selector (or Electronic Transmission Range Selector, ETRS). Electronic Precision Shift uses a console-mounted lever to shift gears electronically. (Fig. 4) The selected gear position illuminates in red on the shift lever, while all others will be displayed in white. Press the P button to shift into Park. Press the shift lock button on the side of the shift lever to shift out of Park or to shift into Reverse.

 

Fig. 4

 

All-Wheel Drive

The Sport model features an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system with Active Twin-Clutch that preemptively and electronically splits the torque as needed between the rear wheels using twin clutches to provide additional traction, stability and control versus a 50/50 split in a single clutch system. (Fig. 5)

 

Fig. 5

Active Twin-Clutch provides:

  • Enhanced traction, stability and performance during vehicle acceleration and cornering during dry normal conditions.
  • Optimal handling and improved traction in wet/snowy/icy conditions.
  • Improved vehicle response when road traction is not uniform, such as when the right side of the vehicle is on ice and the left side is on dry pavement.
  • Active Twin-Clutch with active torque bias has increased capability to add stability across all driving conditions.
  • A fuel economy benefit is realized by not pushing torque when it is not needed.

 

The available Driver Mode Control offers the following modes: Tour, Sport, All-Wheel Drive (AWD), Snow/Ice (Front-Wheel Drive vehicles only), and Off-Road (AWD vehicles only). A mode selection can be made by pressing the Drive Mode button on the center console. When pressed, the mode menu will display in the instrument cluster and activate the next available mode.

The electronic suspension control system individually controls the damping force of each of the four shock absorbers, reacting within milliseconds to changes in the damping forces. Suspension characteristics can be changed at any time by activating the Sport mode or Tour mode. The system continuously monitors vehicle speed, wheel-to-body position, lift/dive, and steering position of the vehicle in order to adjust the damping level of each shock absorber.

The vehicle is equipped with a Bosch ABS 9.0 brake system. The electronic brake control module (EBCM) and the brake pressure modulator valve are serviced separately. The system provides ABS, brake assist, electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control, Hill Start Assist, traction control, and Automatic Vehicle Hold.

 

Safety Features

The XT6 offers an extensive number of Safety and Driver Assistance technologies.

Standard features include:

  • HD Rear Vision Camera with Remote Wash
  • Forward Collision Alert
  • Following Distance Indicator
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Front Pedestrian Braking
  • Front and Rear Park Assist
  • Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
  • Safety Alert Seat
  • Speed Limiter

 

Additional available features include:

  •  Rear Camera Mirror with Remote Wash
  • Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Adaptive Cruise Control–Advanced
  • Automatic Parking Assist with Braking
  • Rear Pedestrian Alert
  • HD Surround Vision
  • Surround Vision Recorder
  • Head-Up Display
  • Reverse Automatic Braking
  • Night Vision
  • Hitch Guidance (with Hitch View)

 

Many of the features can be customized using the Vehicle settings menu on the infotainment system. (Fig. 6)

 

Fig. 6

 

Comfort and Convenience

On both six- and seven-passenger models, the passenger-side second-row seat can be manually folded and slid forward using only one hand using the seat lever on top of the seatback for easy access to the third row seating. (Fig. 7) There are power releases for folding the second- and third-row seatbacks in the rear cargo area as well as the behind the second-row door opening area. Each row of seating also features two USB ports.

 

Fig. 7

 

Access to the cargo area is made easier with the hands-free power liftgate (Fig. 8), which can be programmed to open fully or to a reduced height. The power liftgate control switch is on the driver’s door.

 

Fig. 8

 

Hands-free access is activated by kicking your foot forward under the left side of the rear bumper. The kicking motion must come within six inches (14 cm) of the rear bumper to activate. The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter also must be within three feet (0.91 m) of the liftgate. To indicate the sensor location, the vehicle logo is projected on the ground under the left side of the rear bumper for one minute when the RKE transmitter is detected within six feet (2 m) of the liftgate, depending on operating conditions.

 

Infotainment System

The XT6 features two infotainment systems (RPOs IOS, IOT) that include the next generation of the Cadillac User Experience along with a new multi-function rotary controller located on the center console. (Fig. 9) The center console controls include shortcut buttons for Home, Audio, Phone, and Navigation (if equipped) menus, an audio volume/tuning control, seek buttons, and a large dial that enables movement between apps and menus. Rotate the control or move the control to quickly go to the next item or group on the screen.

 

Fig. 9

 

The infotainment system 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.

The XT6 is also Cadillac’s first use of the Bose® Performance Series sound system with 14 custom-tuned speakers, delivering powerful audio throughout the cabin.

 

Action Center

A Technical Assistance Center (TAC) Action Center (U.S.) has been established for product feedback on the 2020 XT6 and help ensure a successful introduction. Report any vehicle issues that warrant prompt and immediate attention, not just concerns requiring technical assistance.

The gathering of information is critical for quick resolution to any product concerns, including, but not limited to: fit and finish, performance, operation, and customer expectations. The Action Center is connected directly to TAC, Engineering, and the Spring Hill Assembly Plant in order to address any product concerns.

To report a concern, create a TAC Case using the Dealer Case Management (DCM) system. The concern will be answered by an XT6 specialist.

For additional information on the new 2020 XT6, refer to Bulletin #19-NA-118.

 

– Thanks to Tom Burlingame and Sherman Dixon

 

 

Transmission Valve Body Part Unique Number
Powertrain Sections Being Consolidated, Reducing Links in the Service Information

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