The Cadillac Vizon was a concept car shown by Cadillac at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2001. Its angular SUV body and technology previewed the production Cadillac SRX, which arrived in 2004.
Cadillac Vizon at a glance
| Maker | Cadillac, General Motors |
|---|---|
| Shown | North American International Auto Show, Detroit, 2001 |
| Type | concept SUV |
| Engine | 4.2 L Northstar V8 |
| Power | 300 hp (224 kW) |
| Transmission | five-speed automatic |
| Length | 4,862 mm |
| Width | 1,801 mm |
| Height | 1,631 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,033 mm |
| Seats | four |
| Production version | Cadillac SRX, 2004 |
Based on the German Wikipedia article on the Vizón and the English SRX article, which describes the concept and its production successor. Only German Wikipedia covers the concept itself.
History of the Cadillac Vizon
The Vizon was a soft-road luxury SUV with a distinctly angular design: a grille with four bars running the full width of the car, flanked by narrow, tall headlights, and a high tail with slim, tall light units. The body was a self-supporting structure with double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear axle. Power came from a 4.2-litre Northstar V8 of 300 hp driving through a five-speed automatic transmission.
Clever details
With a length of 4,862 mm and a wheelbase of 3,033 mm the concept was roomy for four passengers, and it had a two-part sliding and folding roof: the front half could be raised and the rear half slid open. Inside, the instrument cluster was hidden behind a flap when it was not in use, and extra storage was provided under a double floor in the boot. The tailgate was electrically operated. The interior was co-developed with Bulgari, and the car was rolled down a runway at its Detroit debut as if it were a fashion model.
Into production
In 2004 the idea became the production SRX, a seven-seat luxury crossover on the rear-drive Sigma platform offered with a 255 hp V6 or a 320 hp 4.6-litre Northstar V8. The production car kept the angular styling of the Vizon but replaced the show-car technology, including the sliding roof, with more conventional hardware.
Design and features
- Angular SUV styling: four full-width grille bars and slim, tall lights front and rear.
- Northstar V8: a 4.2-litre engine of 300 hp with a five-speed automatic.
- Two-part roof: the front half lifted and the rear half slid open.
- Hidden instruments: the cluster was covered by a flap when switched off.
Cadillac Vizon versions
- Vizon concept (2001): the single four-seat show car.
- SRX (2004): the production version, on the Sigma platform and with up to seven seats.
The Vizon became the SRX, and its styling belonged to the Art and Science generation that also produced the CTS and XLR. More Cadillacs are in the Cadillac collection.
Video: 2002 Cadillac Vizon Concept Review
Video by LunatikUltra on YouTube.
Sources
- Cadillac Vizon, German Wikipedia: dimensions, engine, roof, interior details
- Cadillac SRX, English Wikipedia: designer, debut, production version
