Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system has lots of processing power at its disposal, but no processor could stop the flow of negative reviews for the system, which criticized its laggy nature. Cadillac hopes to fix that problem with a rumored software upgrade.
Cadillac CUE design manager Jeff Massimilla said as much to Wired, which reported the upgrade yesterday afternoon. The report goes on to say that the software upgrade will focus on CUE’s number one issue: the lag between pushing a virtual button or the touch screen and the haptic feedback (which vibrates the screen or touch panel). The update should also smooth out and speed up inputting information or queries.
Cadillac spokespeople were unable to confirm the upgrade, instead saying that “something is in the works for later this year.” Wired‘s coverage says that the upgrade will be performed later this year at Cadillac dealers.
That last part is important to note. We’ve already seen Ford announce big software upgrades for its maligned MyFord Touch system, but those upgrades were performed either by the dealer or the owner. Ford, you’ll recall, sent thousands of USB flash drives to owners with instructions on how to perform the upgrades.
However, Cadillac owners will have the upgrades performed by the dealer only, either during a voluntary visit or during scheduled maintenance. Cadillac says that it’s a philosophy that works for its owners: Caddy drivers generally have strong relationships with their dealers, so it’s not a stretch to ask drivers to come in for the upgrade.
Wired says the upgrade will be available for ATS and XTS models; there’s no word if the upgrade will extend to CUE-equipped SRX models as well.
The BRZ is an all-new model that mates a 200-hp 2.0-liter flat-four with a lightweight chassis, while the refreshed Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec makes up for its significant weight disadvantage with a 274-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four cylinder. The turbocharged engine also has a 124 lb-ft of torque advantage. In our testing, the more powerful Genesis Coupe was quicker to 60 mph (5.7 seconds) and in the quarter-mile (14.2 seconds at 98.4 mph) than the lighter BRZ (6.4 seconds, 14.9 seconds at 95.5 mph, respectively).
Although we already expected the new RS to share its powertrain with the long-rumored 2015 Ford Mustang SVO, Autocar reports that the RS’ power figures will best those of the Mustang at least in Europe, to keep the RS as the halo performance product in Ford’s product range.
Based on the standard Volkswagen GTI, the GTI Wolfsburg Edition adds 18-inch “Laguna” alloy wheels, a retro golf ball shifter knob, and red-stitched floormats. The production run is limited to 2000 examples and will go on sale the first quarter of 2013. Cars with the six-speed manual transmission start at $25,890 (including destination), while the six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic adds $1100 to the base price.
The original Beetle GSR had a yellow body shell with a matte black hood, trunklid, and bumpers as well as black trim strips beneath the side windows and on the black rocker panels. For the 2014 model, yellow body and R-Line bumpers are contrasted with a mostly black hood and black trunklid, roof, and side mirrors. Rocker panels feature black and yellow striping with GSR graphics. A large rear wing and new 19-inch “Tornado” alloy wheels complete the look.
Volkswagen also announced the 2014 Beetle Convertible R-Line for the U.S. market, which joins the CC R-Line, Beetle R-Line coupe, and the recently introduced Tiguan R-Line and Touareg R-Line. Beetle Convertible R-Line models feature 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, an R-Line badge on the grille, HID headlights, and LED daytime running lights. Inside, the R-Line model gets aluminum pedals, Fender audio, navigation, and leather seating as well as a flat-bottom leather steering wheel and stainless scuff plates with R-Line badging.