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Cadillac rushing update for laggy CUE infotainment system

BMW's innovative iDrive was introduced in 2001, and a dozen years later, automakers are still learning hard lessons about what consumers want in their infotainment systems. In response to owner feedback - and a few media drubbings - about the delayed and occasionally fickle responses of its CUE (short for Cadillac User Experience) system, Cadillac has told Wired that it's going to issue an update this year.
Coming for the XTS and ATS, the new software will mean quicker haptic feedback to driver inputs on the touchscreen and the buttons, and snappier responses on screen. Down the road, Cadillac's VP of marketing says that a different mix of screen controls and hard buttons is "something you'll be seeing in the future" - the system is presently a mix of touchscreen-based controls and capacitive-touch switchgear - there are no knobs or physical pushbuttons to speak of, and the omission of both has proven to be a divisive issue among consumers and industry pundits.
Cadillac hasn't provided a date for when the CUE update will be issued, but it has indicated that the service will be performed by dealers, not sent wirelessly.

Dodge Dart falls short of Consumer Reports Recommended, Caddy XTS and Lincoln MKS, too

The Dodge Dart, Cadillac XTS and Lincoln MKS all failed to earn a "Recommended" rating from Consumer Reports. When it came to the compact Dart, the organization's testers thought the vehicle offered a quiet cabin, solid-feeling chassis and nimble suspension, but the new model ultimately fell short of the coveted rating due to powertrain issues. The institute's reviewers found the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to be underpowered and noted "drivability issues" when the available turbocharged 1.4-liter four was paired with the optional dual-clutch transmission (some of our editors disliked it paired with the six-speed manual). CR also dinged the latter powerplant for sounding "raspy." For what it's worth, we think the forced-induction engine offers an excellent and playful exhaust note, but that's just us.
As for the XTS, CR lauded the car for its luxurious cabin, but the vehicle's experience was dulled by its finicky CUE infotainment interface. Overall, the big Cadillac scored much higher than its cross-town rival from Lincoln. While testers found the American luxury sedan to offer a quiet ride and quality fit and finish, they felt the MKS delivered a "cramped driving position, ungainly handling, uncomposed ride, and limited visibility." Ouch. At the end of the day, both cars fell short of rivals from Japan, Germany and Korea. Check out the full press release below with more details, along with CR's musings on the Chevrolet Spark and Lexus ES.

Cadillac launching crossover-heavy product offensive

Utilizing information provided by Cadillac suppliers, Reuters says that Cadillac is preparing two more crossovers that will bow after its current product initiative is complete. According to the report, a year after the next SRX arrives in 2016, a pair of CUVs will be unveiled that will bracket it in size, and they'll be headed for the US and Chinese markets.
That is years away, though. For now, the company's attentions are on the nearly here CTS and ELR range-extended coupe, the next Escalade SUV (shown above), an ATS coupe, and the range-topper that will sit above the XTS. That, and possibly an even more impressive range-topper that promises to be the mean and majestic super-luxe unicorn Cadillac we've been dreaming about for more than a decade now.
In response to the issue of how German crossovers might be having an impact on Cadillac's future plans, a company source said - rightly, we think - "we don't need to duplicate the Germans." That doesn't mean, however, that it can't wade deeper into a market segment that the Germans are making a ton of money in. In fact, and since everyone is doing it, we'd be surprised if Cadillac didn't, even if it won't happen for another four years.