EVOQ'S BOLD DESIGN, TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS FEATURED AT 1999 GENEVA AUTOSHOW
GENEVA -- Evoq proves that when form follows function, it can do so with boldness and distinction. And with the introduction of the Evoq luxury roadster concept vehicle, Cadillac gives tangible form to its vision to be a global automotive leader in both design and technological innovation.
Evoq was first unveiled to the public at the Detroit Autoshow in January 1999, where it won AutoWeek magazine's "Best Concept Car" award. "Evoq's introduction in Detroit has generated immense excitement about Cadillac's future," said John F. Smith, Cadillac general manager and General Motors vice president. Building on its strong momentum, Evoq makes its European debut at the 1999 Geneva Autoshow.
Evoq is a rear-wheel-drive two-seater with retractable hardtop. Its crisply tailored lines establish an expressive design direction for future Cadillac models. At the same time, the concept vehicle also boasts strong performance, starting with a supercharged version of the next generation Northstar V8 engine featuring an intercooler and continuously variable valve timing.
Evoq also showcases a host of advanced - yet feasible - technologies either available now or currently under development. The technologies include Night Vision, Forewarn® Back-up Aid rear obstacle detection system, a vertically-anchored tire and wheel system, rear vision cameras replacing outside rearview mirrors, and Communiport®, a mobile multimedia total information and entertainment system with voice-activated navigation, electronic mail and entertainment capabilities.
"Evoq illustrates our vision for the global luxury market, to create vehicles that blend elements of art and science for the benefit and pleasure of their drivers and passengers," said John F. Smith. "With its combination of individual style and driver-focused technology, Evoq is a forerunner of what you will see in future Cadillacs."
While Evoq builds on Cadillac's significant heritage of design leadership and innovative technology, it is decidedly not retro, according to Smith: "Evoq captures the emotion of great Cadillacs in the past, but in a totally forward-looking way. It signals Cadillac flair and ingenuity for the new millenium."
Cadillac and GM Design Center Staff worked closely together to develop the future Cadillac design philosophy embodied in Evoq, according to Wayne Cherry, head of the General Motors Design and Portfolio Development Centers. "Evoq is a bold statement. It is immediately identifiable as a Cadillac, and at the same time it presents itself clearly as a qualified member of the international league of luxury two-seaters," Cherry said.
Kip Wasenko, Evoq's chief designer, said the roadster's styling was designed around the idea that electronic technology can be beautiful as well as functional.
"As an expression of Cadillac's philosophy, Evoq is much more than a show car. Evoq communicates Cadillac's vision of art and science by projecting an image that is technologically very advanced," Wasenko said.
Visual brand character cues found in Evoq will be carried forward to future Cadillac models. Among Evoq's design elements are a strong full-length spline across the body, a trapezoidal sail, vertical headlamps, vertical taillamps, full-width CHMSL (center high mounted stop lamp) and the familiar Cadillac egg-crate front grille. An updated version of the Cadillac wreath-and-crest emblem is featured on both the front and rear.
Evoq's all-steel body panels are painted Argentanium, a pewter color with a lot of "travel" from light to dark values, varying widely under different lighting conditions. Bronze glass windows add emphasis to the concept car's modern industrial design appearance.
The "less is more" philosophy is accentuated by the lack of exterior door handles. The remote keyless entry fob not only unlocks the doors, it also opens them slightly. This feature preserves the clean, sheer look of Evoq's profile while adding an aerodynamic benefit.
With the push of a single button, Evoq's hardtop retracts into the back window and sail, then folds down under a deck lid which raises and then closes over the hardtop unit. "The unique design of the power retracting hardtop enabled us to maintain the coupe's rakish profile without the compromise usually involved with creating a convertible," Wasenko said.
According to Wasenko, Evoq has the upscale style, enduring quality and the high performance needed to compete with the world's best luxury roadsters.
Although Evoq's 4282 mm (168.6-inch) length is shorter than most other premium two-seaters, it has a comparatively long wheelbase of 2756 mm (108.5 inches). The result is that Evoq has extremely short overhangs in the front and rear, along with a long dash-to-axle profile that is typical of classic sports and luxury cars.
Evoq was packaged with a number of feasible technologies intended to enhance precise all-weather control, active safety, in-car entertainment and information technology. Evoq's technology is also geared to reduce exhaust emissions and optimize fuel economy relative to other engines of comparable power output.
Evoq represents the first application of the Northstar System to a rear-wheel-drive configuration, and previews technology that will be seen on the next generation of the Northstar System. The new 4.2 liter all-aluminum V8 has been "crowned" by a fully integrated supercharger/intercooler unit, for which GM has a patent pending, and comes with continuously variable valve timing plus a new low-friction valve train. The result is "power on demand" over a broad torque band, providing excellent passing capability while at the same time offering impressive fuel economy under normal driving conditions. The engine produces 302 kW (405 bhp) at 6400 rpm and 522 Nm (385 ft.-lb.) of torque at 4000 rpm. The engine has been comprehensively upgraded for the increased power levels. These upgrades include a steel crankshaft, heavy duty pistons and connecting rods, iron inserted main bearing bulkheads, specific valves, and four-layer head gaskets.
Evoq uses the GM 4L60E electronically controlled transmission with Performance Algorithm Shifting, an exclusive Cadillac technology which performs like a manual gearbox during high-spirited, aggressive driving.
A new four-channel version of Cadillac's stability enhancement system, StabiliTrak, has been evolved for Evoq's rear-wheel-drive configuration, the different suspension and unique tires and wheels. The system uses directional sensors networked with the car's suspension, steering, anti-lock brake and traction control systems to assist the driver in maintaining control during unpredictable situations.
Evoq features a new tire mounting technology from Michelin called the Pax System. Relying on clamping forces around the rim, this vertically anchored run-flat tire and wheel system reduces rolling resistance and improves fuel economy under normal conditions, compared to conventionally mounted tire/wheel systems.
The design provides added safety in the run-flat configuration because the tire is anchored to the rim. In addition, the system enhances styling by allowing larger wheels on Evoq (19 inches in the front, 21 inches in the rear).
One of the technological advances featured on Evoq is Night Vision, which uses thermal-imaging technology to help a driver detect potentially dangerous situations well beyond the range of the car's headlamps. The infrared sensor is mounted in the front valence panel, with the image projected on the EyeCue™ head-up display that appears to be over the front edge of the car's hood, in the driver's peripheral vision. Cadillac will be the first to bring the safety benefits of this technology to drivers by offering Night Vision on the 2000 DeVille.
Evoq utilizes neon lighting in the rear, providing both a styling element and safety enhancement. Because neon turns on faster than incandescent lighting, it transmits information faster to the driver behind Evoq during a braking situation. Another safety benefit is that neon provides more uniform lighting across the surface, which means the intensity remains the same at different viewing angles.
Evoq's interior, which also has a high-technology feel, was designed consistent with Cadillac's philosophy of enhancing safety by allowing the driver to keep "hands on the wheel, eyes on the road." At the center of the console, two flat-panel screens display images captured by the rear-vision cameras. Mounted in the doors of Evoq's exterior, the cameras pop up and take the place of rearview mirrors when the ignition is activated, and retreat into the doors for safety and to prevent theft when the ignition is off. The side-by-side screens on the console give a panoramic view of the scene behind the car.
The Forewarn Back-up Aid rear obstacle detection system uses three sensors in the back bumper, one radar and one ultrasonic, to detect when Evoq is nearing an object as the driver backs up. When an obstacle is detected, even if it's unseen, the system's electronic control module alerts the driver by appropriately illuminating three banks of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the instrument panel to indicate the closeness of the sensed object .
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Originally Posted by Jakg
