The Washington times., 1913-07-26
CADILLAC MODEL
!.
FOR 1914 SHOWN
Two-speed Direct Drive Axle
Marks Another Epoch in
Car Development.

Motorists, mindful of the Cadillac
. achieyements In the development of the
automobile, and therefore. accustomed
to look to that car each year for new
and, progressive features, are reading
With avidity the 1914 announcement just
issued, IN which at last Is revealed the
nature of the latest models. In view
Of past Cadillac accomplishments the
keenest curiosity was aroused as to
what the new mechanical element
would be.
That curiosity has. been appeased by
the announcement that the 1914 Cadillac
will be endowed. with a two-speed direct
drive axle. While curiosity has been
somewhat satisfied, the. new mechani-
cal. elemeIt-has, started a buzzing Of
discussion. and d-comment,-becaus
device VIII have revolutionary effect
ON the res Ilts attained In luxury. fiex-
toility and economy. Executives OF the
Cadillac are already assured by letters,
kilograms and rush of visitors that
no other. forward step ever taken has
created such a profound impression or
aroused more widespread interest.
Direct Drive Axle. .-=r=--.---
: The methods by which the 1914 -Cadil-
lac two-speed. direct drive axle ENSURES
increased luxury. efficiency. and econ
omy are most appreciated by the man
who is thoroughly versed In automobile
mechanics. Some idea, however, may
be given of this reyolutionary--featur
in more or less non-technical language
1t is not merely as an axle that this
mechanism is a great advance in motor
car construction, Its peculiar function
is OF another nature. Heretofore the
power OF the engine has been trans
mitted to the rear axle by a single beyel
pinion and a single bevel driving gear.
there could be at all times
and under all the various conditions of
travel which might arise only one ratio
the revolutions Of the engine
and the revolutions of the rear
for the changes afforded by the shifting
Of the transmission gears by the hand
erer.-Now, however. by meafs- Of the
new axle. the Cadillac will have two
direct drive gear ratios In transmitting
the power to the rear wheels.
Two Ratios Success.
Usually the single. direct drive gear
ratio ranges from 3.5 to l down to
L.,
ing to the success of the mechanical
designer in securing that ratio best
adal ted to his particular car. That
single ratio had to do the best 1t
could under all circumstances. Now.
with two ratios. there is just double
the means for promoting the economi-
.al and efficient application of the
power developed by the engine to the
driving of the car.
On the 1914 Cadillac the low direct
iriye gear ratio Is 3.66 to /; the high
ow II especially adapted for city driv-
n gwhere traffic problems are met.
where speed must be low and stops
md starts frequent A simple con-
ren!ent electric switch changes the
gear ratio from the low direct TO the
nigh direct anc the car is ready for
conditions which permit speed rate
,f sixteen miles per hour or more.
With the high direct gear ratio In
operation at any given speed OF the
engine. the speed OF the car Is increased
about 42 per cent over what 1t would
be with the low, direct gear ratio This
point Is illustrated thus. At an engine
speed of 700 revolutions per minute
with the low direct gear, the car speed |
Is twenty-one miles per hour: employ
The speed to thirty miles per hour |
without any increase In engine speed.
Lower Fuel Consumption.
One of the prime benefits claimed Is
over fuel consumption because of the |
facts Just stated and because the fuel |
IS used to greater advantage. Other !
advantages include less friction In high |
gear by reason of the parts moving |
more slowly. hence less wear and al
most the entire elimination of yibrat ton.
There Is also greatly increased comfort
iue to luxurious smoothness of opera
ion: yet these desirable results are
obtained without complicating the en-
,ine.