In September 2018, Cadillac’s parent company, General Motors filed to trademark the term “Sport Control AWD.” Then, in June 2019, the automaker abandoned the trademark filing. Now, Cadillac Society has exclusively learned that plans were in place to use the Sport Control AWD name in conjunction with a specific kind of Cadillac AWD system.
Sources familiar with Cadillac’s initial plans for the name told Cadillac Society that Sport Control AWD was to be used as a brand for the twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system currently offered on the Sport trim levels of the Cadillac XT4, XT5 and XT6 crossovers. However, plans to brand the high-tech all-wheel-drive system were put on the back-burner, subsequently leading to the abandonment of the trademark filing.
As of this writing, it’s currently unclear whether or not the twin-clutch Cadillac AWD system will receive a public-facing brand.
The twin-clutch Cadillac AWD system aims to continuously and automatically deliver optimal traction across various driving conditions. Thanks to the twin-clutch design, the AWD system is capable of transferring up to 100 percent of available torque to either the front or rear axle. In addition, the system can also direct torque across the rear axle via an electronically-controlled rear differential that can direct up to 100 percent of available torque to either wheel laterally.
This flexibility is engineered for “split-coefficient” surfaces, such as when there is more water, ice or snow on one side of the road surface than on the other, resulting in different grip conditions. As a bonus, the Cadillac twin-clutch AWD system includes a “disconnect” feature that disables the rear drive unit for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, essentially turning the crossover into a front-wheel-drive vehicle when necessary.
As of this writing, just a single dealer-facing document on the XT5 currently refers to the Cadillac twin-clutch AWD system as “Axle, electronic positraction, twin-clutch, Sport Control AWD.” That said, it would have been great to see Cadillac create a brand around its all-wheel-drive system, much like most other luxury automakers have done over the past decade, including BMW xDrive, Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC, and Audi Quattro.
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xjug
“much like most other luxury automakers have done over the past decade, including BMW xDrive, Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC, and Audi Quattro.” – Quattro is well over 30 years old, I had an EClass 4-Matic in 2006, so perhaps BMW’s AWD is branded in the last 10 yrs, however I don’t see that as a good use of resources. Quattro doesn’t have the “cache” it once did as its mechanical vs MB’s 4Matic which is much more light weight. That said I used to have a 2003 A6 Quattro (perhaps my favorite car) then the E500 4Matic… their systems were seamless and kept the vehicles planted. Awesome systems. I see these systems as simply AWD and nothing especially special about them, other than GM trying to once again, “me too” for Cadillac, vs doing something really clever, really special, and really innovative. NO ONE is going to run to a Cad dealer because of the AWD System which they can get on an Equinox…
Another mixed message, another swing and miss… really terrible leadership and execution…
Jordanb
Isnt the article about them abandoning it how is it a swing and a miss when they abandoned it?
Alex Luft
Exactly. This is a story about Cadillac considering it and deciding not to go through with it. No miss is possible when there is no swing.
Some people will characterize anything in a negative light, especially when using anonymous handles.