Cadillac ELR Takes Active Noise Cancelling to the Limit

Audio technology helps preserve sound of silence in electrified luxury coupe

The all-new 2014 Cadillac ELR’s interior is so quiet when running on battery power that the electrified luxury coupe’s development team took care to keep it that way when the on-board gas-powered electric generator turns on for extended-range driving.

 
“Acoustic refinement is an important attribute of every Cadillac interior, and ELR is no exception,” said Chris Thomason, ELR vehicle chief engineer. “Considering how quiet the car is during pure-electric driving we knew the generator sound had to be as pleasant as possible, and we were able to achieve it with active noise cancelling.”

ELR uses active noise cancelling to uniquely preserve the peace and quiet. While most cars that use this type of sound-neutralizing technology aim simply to mute exhaust boom at low engine speeds, such as when idling, ELR uses it across all engine speeds.

ELR uses a variety of sound-buffering and -absorbing materials to minimize wind, road and engine noise, including:

• Acoustically laminated windshield and thicker front-door glass
• Liquid-applied sound deadener applied to the floor pan, trunk and roof
• Triple-sealed doors with acoustic perimeter water deflectors
• Mass-efficient sound-absorbing dash mat and carpet system
• Acoustic foam baffles inside body cavities and in between inner and outer quarter panels
• An isolated front suspension cradle with hydraulic powertrain mounts to isolate road and engine vibration

ELR is available nationwide in the U.S. beginning in January 2014.


Visit the Rohrich Cadillac Website to browse our current inventory of luxury cars.

America's Spookiest Destinations

Are you looking for something different to do this year for Halloween? Watching horror flicks and handing out treats to pre-teen ghouls can get old fast. Even the best of haunted houses usually fall short of providing that authentic horrifying experience that we so actively seek.  For those who prefer a bit more tangible fear, check out this list of some of the spookiest places in the country. 

1. Salem, Massachusetts 

Salem was the location of, arguably, the most famous witch story of all time. Reportedly, 26 people were sentenced to death for practicing dark magic. It's the perfect little spooky town, with plenty of accommodations, ideal for families. Events are hosted throughout the whole month of October.

 

 

2. The Haunted Swamp

New Orleans is one of the best Halloween destinations year after year. Aside from Mardi Gras, Halloween is the most celebrated holiday in the French Quarter. It's also home to the Manchac Swamp, complete with spooky moss-covered trees and eerie fog. Nighttime tours are given through the area which explain where the swamp got its appropriate name.

3. Sleepy Hollow, New York

Most people are familiar with this frightful destination from the iconic American ghost tale. Evening tours through the cemetery are hosted year-round, and are especially busy around Halloween. So be sure to book yours well in advance.

4. Twilight Tours

Are you a fan of the Twilight Saga?  Dazzled by Twilight offers tours of the famous locations seen in the popular movies. Follow in the wake of your favorite Twilight characters. Just don't get bitten!

5. The Brown Palace, Denver

This historic hotel has accommodated high-profile guests for many years. Some of its lesser known patrons include a group of musical ghosts who have been sighted in the past. The Brown Palace offers year-round and seasonal tours.

7. The Queen Mary

This former luxury cruise ship was coined the "Grey Ghost" thanks to its ghastly history. Permanently docked in Long Beach, CA, it hosts the Annual Halloween Terrorfest. Activities include haunted mazes, the vampire village and the fear-inducing Isolation Ward. Tickets start at $29 per person.

 

8. Estes Park, Colorado

The site of the Stanley Hotel is where Stephen King drew inspiration to write his novel, The Shining. If you dare, grab a drink in the billiards room. Enjoy splendid Rocky Mountain views at the same time. Just don't go insane!










 

Feel free to share some other great destinations that we may have missed! Connect with us on the Rohrich Cadillac Facebook page.

10 Easy Steps to Winterize Your Car

Fall is here, and it's a good time to start thinking about winter preparation. The cold season can place extra strain on certain parts of the vehicle, especially at temperature extremes. By performing a few simple checks on your cars critical parts, you can ensure that you won't get stranded in the cold this winter.


1. Antifreeze. Naturally, this is important. A 50/50 mixture of distilled water and antifreeze will typically suffice. If you live in areas that have unusually cold temperatures, you may want to increase that ratio a bit.

2. Battery. The cold weather will put more stress on the cars charging system. Cold starts are notoriously difficult for some cars. The last thing you want to do is be stranded in the frigid morning dealing with a dead battery. 

3. Oil & Filter. This is standard maintenance (as are most items in this list). But it is even more crucial in the winter months. Refer to your owners manual for OEM recommended oil type. 

4. Lights & Indicators. Because of the longer days, your lights will have to work harder. All lights on the car are important, but headlights and brake lights especially so. If you haven't replaced them in a few years, it might be a good idea to just proactively do so. It will be much cheaper than getting into a collision because a fellow motorist couldn't see you. 

5. Tires. Good traction in the winter is essential. Inspect the tread, or have someone do it for you. Also, be sure that your tires are inflated to the manufacturers suggested standards. 

6. Windshield. Visibility is key to road safety. You want to make sure that all windows are cleared of ice and snow before hitting the road. Mix de-icer and Rain-X treatment in your washer fluid to avoid chipping away at ice in the morning with a chisel. 

7. Belts & Hoses. Winter temperatures can put extra stress on these parts. Don't let a $10 part get your stranded.

8. Cabin Air Filter. The summer months can really create a build up of dust and particles. If your car is equipped with a cabin air filter, it is wise to change that now. Blasting the heat on full will only embed these contaminants deeper into your cars heating/cooling system. 

9. Exterior Paint. Rain, snow and salt will really eat away at your cars finish. Applying a proper coat of wax will significantly reduce this.

10. Roadside Emergency Kit. This is ALWAYS important. Simple items like Fix-A-Flat, basic tools and extra oil can really save the day. Be sure to keep a few blankets in the car through the winter too, in case the worst happens. 

Connect with us on the Rohrich Cadillac Facebook Page to get more great automotive related news.

If you need help getting your car ready for winter, we are at your assistance!

Cadillac Takes Its Flagship SUV to a New Luxury Level

Cadillac is launching a new level of luxury!

The 2015 Escalade, which will be revealed tonight in New York City, will show advances to the flagship SUV, most notably with the interior.

According to a Cadillac press release, the all-new interior will feature handcrafted elements, as well as innovative, state-of-the-art technology.

Advanced technical features and controls are included to add a modern element to the SUV's design, as well as offer the latest features in luxury, connectivity and safety for up to eight occupants.

The new Escalade will be unveiled tonight with help from indie rock photographer and director, Autumn de Wilde, who produced a series of portraits and a film highlighting the Escalade design process.

Visit Cadillac's YouTube channel to watch the livestream tonight at 7:30. Also, be sure to share your thoughts and follow updates on Twitter using #EscaladeReveal.

How To Prepare Your Own Roadside Emergency Kit

Nowadays, we're almost always a screen-tap away from contacting someone, should we need assistance. We have been conditioned to take that ability for granted. Most major highways provide cell-phone service. However, would you be prepared for an emergency roadside situation if you were not plugged-in to the rest of civilization?

Even in the age-of-information it is important to prepare a roadside emergency kit. 

What should you put in your emergency kit, you ask? Let us break it down for you.

• Jumper Cables. This one's pretty obvious and allows you to be the roadside hero too! 
• Flares. If your car is disabled on a major roadway, you'll want to signal to oncoming traffic. 
• Extra oil. Usually two quarts will be sufficient to get you to the nearest service station.
• Antifreeze. Never push your car's engine if it is overheating. This could lead to serious (expensive) damage.
• First aid kit. You can never have a too-well-stocked first aid kit. Basic items include bandages, gauze, medical tape, antiseptic/burn cream, aspirin.
• Blanket. This can serve various purposes but the most obvious is to stay warm when stranded in the cold.
• Fuses. Fuse failure is hard to anticipate. This can be a major problem if you don't have extra. Be sure to stock fuses of varied amperage. 
• Flashlight and extra batteries. Without this, being stranded in the dark is a much worse situation.
• Basic, versatile tools. Including: Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers, pliers, vice-grips, adjustable wrench, tire-pressure gauge, and pocketknife (multi-tools are ideal).
• Tire inflator. Such as Fix-A-Flat
• Rags and paper towels.
• Duct tape. Need we explain further?
• Ice scraper.
• Pen and paper.
• Help sign. This will make flagging passing drivers much more effective.
• Energy bars. Or some form of emergency food that will last for awhile in the car.
• Bottled water.
• Heavy-duty bag to store the kit in.     

Obviously, this list is not exclusive. There are many other useful items that you may want to bring as well. For more car tips and such, head on over to the Rohrich Cadillac Facebook Page.

Weekly Car Tip: Music Can Improve (Or Worsen) Your Driving

Most of us listen to some form of music in the car while we are driving. Did you know that, depending on the style and genre, music can have drastic effects on your driving abilities? This study shows that faster tempo music causes the driver to make rash decisions like being impatient at red lights, driving faster and making more mistakes, sometimes leading to accidents. Interestingly, the study also shows that listening to any type of music, regardless of tempo, serves to moderate your heart rate. 

So next time you get in the car, think twice about putting on Slayer or Deadmau5. Maybe try some Chopin? Nora Jones?

No, it's not a mirage. It's Elmiraj!

General Motors recently debuted their newest Cadillac concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. If you haven't heard about the Elmiraj yet, it has garnered quite a bit of praise in automotive circles since the reveal. I mean, just take one look at the thing and you'll understand why. 

The design is clean and sharp. The long, smooth lines give the car a truly stunning, provocative look.

Cadillac fans have been patiently waiting for a new version of the CTS coupe. Well, it turns out they got much more than they bargained for at Pebble Beach. 

The first thing you notice upon sight of the front-end is the newly designed Cadillac emblem. No longer does it contain the "outdated" laurels, or wreath, that had previously surrounded the logo. Cadillac had released news of such a redesign, but nobody expected to see it so soon. The badge still maintains that authentic, luxurious feel.

Another eye-opening feature is the vertical orientation of the headlights. The large front-end lends to the design aesthetics. But that is not its only purpose. Under the hood you'll find a a whopping 500-horsepower 4.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The chassis is built on a light rear-wheel drive framework, apparently keeping performance in mind.

Moving to the interior, Cadillac spared no expense. Brazilian Rosewood was chosen for the trim. The dash gauges are a classic mix of analog and digital. Additional features include a front-facing camera and 10 inch navigation display that tucks neatly inside the instrument panel when not in use. 

Overall, it's a pretty daring move by Cadillac. 

The Elmiraj design director explains, "We were influenced in particular by the 1967 Eldorado, both its actual design and the fact that in its time that car was a very stark contrast and a new direction."

It's a truly sensational concept from Cadillac and will leave many enthusiasts excited to see some form of production model emerge from it.