By Liz
As I mentioned in an earlier post, it’s kind of nice to think about our hot weather tests in the midst of the drab and freezing winter. The “heat soak” test in Death Valley last summer was a rare case in which a key part of a development drive actually required no driving at all. We stopped our drive for a few hours to measure and observe the cars (and ourselves) absolutely cooking in 120-degree heat with no relief from shade or wind.
Thank goodness the cars all passed the test. This is not a place you really want to linger in the heat of the day any more than you have to.
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Comments
My Camry always took forever to get cool inside on hot days. I don't think they tested that car at all in hot weather. My American cars so far (Buick, Eagle) all had execellent a/c.
Btw, I'm beginning to pay more attention to Cadillacs on the road since I started reading this blog.
Posted by: My Dog Looks Like a Celebrity | February 21, 2007 3:21 PM
I am glad you are doing the extreme temperatures testing; as you say when you dig your Cadillac out of the snow or get in after it sits for a day in the sun you REALLY want it to start right up, and the climate control to catch up quickly.
I think after having a 96 black STS and 04 then 05 light platinum CTS's here in Texas that the color of Cadillac does make a difference on interior solar heat loading.
Posted by: Bruce Nunnally | February 22, 2007 8:59 PM
Death Valley has been a test venue for cars since the 1920's. I actually have a 193o's film short for a Dodge sedan called "Fire at the Mine" which uses a sotry line and the race through Death Valley to taut the ruggedness of the car.
We are actually at present starting an official new "park-support" nonprofit for Death Valley National Park and because of the longstanding connection with auto testing and Death Valley are looking for an automotive pariticpant - are you folks interested? (I'd hate to have a foreign car maker jump in!!!)
Posted by: Henry | February 22, 2007 10:14 PM
Henry - I'd like to hear more about your program...
Posted by: Brenda Priddy | February 25, 2007 12:51 AM
Liz,
I am a Canadian presently residing in Indonesia.
With all your diverse testing on the Caddy's have you ever considered testing the Escalade here? I don't think there is a climate more testing than the indonesian. Hot, humid with rough road conditions and floods. No surprise they used to do the Camel trophy here. Interested?
Since GM already started developing right-hand drive Caddy's for Australia, Indonesia is a very lucrative market for high-end vehicles why not bring them here? Almost all of them are present here. Porche, Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW just to name a few. Cadillac next? Let me know?
Posted by: Sirk | March 8, 2007 9:23 PM
First time I was in DV was 1977. 120 degree day. What I saw? American and foreign Engineers testing cars. The Europeans were sweating big time when they got out of their Jag. Guess it failed the A/C test.
Posted by: Tom B | March 19, 2007 12:01 AM