#NAIAS
According to Cadillac Design Director Clay Dean, the potential customer for the production version of the full-size XTS Platinum concept, "wants to be unique. But doesn't want to wear a fluorescent dress to the party."
We suppose we can't argue with that. Nor can we argue with Clay's assessment that the XTS sedan's design evidences a "contemporary but elegant flow," mostly because we're not entirely sure what that means. But we're with him when he says that the XTS design puts more of an emphasis on the art side of the Art and Science design theme Caddy's been playing with for some time now.
By now, we all know that the XTS will make it to production, that it will replace the DTS and STS models, that it will be built in Ontario, Canada, sometime early in 2012. According to Dean, the two-mode hybrid powertrain that the concept is said to have is the real deal. "We wouldn't be showing it if we weren't serious about doing it."
And according to Cadillac General Manager Bryan Nesbitt, all future Cadillacs will have either a Platinum super-luxury variant or a performance-minded V-series version. You'll forgive us, we presume, if we tell you that when we were on the Cadillac stand this morning we were drawn to the big, fat pipes on the CTS-V coupe the company also unveiled today more than the XTS.
Perhaps, later today we'll go shopping for a fluorescent dress. Perhaps.
Read our full story on the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept.
rsholland says:
08:25 AM, 01/12/10
Very, very nice. Also this concept (according to GM's press release) has AWD, so I'm sold. :)
flicmod says:
09:07 AM, 01/12/10
Anyone know what this will be directly competing with?
1487 says:
09:11 AM, 01/12/10
not sure why you guys are hating on this car so much. Not everyone wants or can afford a 556hp coupe. Cadillac is obligated to sell more than V series cars.
Most direct competition would be MKS. I would also say it will compete with A6 in terms of pricing and drive layout. Aside from that there wont be a lot of direct competition and that is fine. If you look at all AWD sedans in this price range you can include E350, M35 and RL. I'm not a believer in the idea that every car Cadillac offers has to fit into the price/size categories established by the Europeans.
dougtheeng says:
09:44 AM, 01/12/10
Need more exterior views to judge. I actually like the concept interior, though I'm sure it'll be significantly changed for production. Shame about the awful front grille - the rest of the front end looks pretty nice.
inlinesix says:
10:33 AM, 01/12/10
"Perhaps, later today we'll go shopping for a fluorescent dress. Perhaps."
I would pay to see that.
flicmod says:
10:41 AM, 01/12/10
Who's "hating" on the XTS here, 1487? Maybe Dan is... maybe. No one said anything negative about it yet, other than the questionable grille, but that's debatable. I was merely asking what this would be competing with.
Also, is it going to be offered only as AWD, or will there be a 2WD version? If so, front or rear? And, judging by the "platinum and V-series" comments, can we expect a V-series XTS?
1487 says:
10:53 AM, 01/12/10
"Who's "hating" on the XTS here, 1487? Maybe Dan is... maybe. No one said anything negative about it yet, other than the questionable grille, but that's debatable. I was merely asking what this would be competing with."
I was talking about the author of the blog entry- not you. read the CTS-V entry as well- it contains the same derision for the XTS as if the car isnt important becaue its not a V8, RWD sports sedan or coupe. Most commments I've seen by actual posters have been positive. Its a good looking car.
This car is FWD based, not RWD. Its on same platform as Lacrosse.
jackson611 says:
10:57 AM, 01/12/10
@flicmod:
competition=power scooters
flicmod says:
11:20 AM, 01/12/10
Thanks for the info 1487.
Jackson: that explains everything!
albook says:
03:49 PM, 01/12/10
Gm has intended this car to compete somewhere between the E-class and S-class (more on the E-class side, price wise, but sized like an S-class). The CTS now competes squarely with the 5 series/ A6 (or will if it gets a V8). I just hope GM didn't spend too much money on this car because as nice as it may look in person, Caddy will eventually need a proper rwd full size sedan. But we all know thats years from now. Now, Caddy needs to focus on the 3 fighting ATS. It can't get here soon enough.
estreka says:
05:09 PM, 01/12/10
Frontal crash requirements are killing artistic design.
lexuslvr says:
10:00 PM, 01/12/10
What is all this talk of competing in the price ranges of M35s, ES350s and what not. The CTS goes for as much as 51k yet this car is slotting above it as Cadillacs flagship. That's easily 60k.
hondacura4 says:
12:17 PM, 01/13/10
Given this car is obviously a substantially upgraded replacement for the current DTS I'm unsure of why so many here were expecting something that catered to a totally different demographic. Although I would have liked to have seen Cadillac produce a true full size RWD flagship to challenge the BMW 7 and Mercedes S-Class, I think Cadillac made a good and safe business decision and kept this car in the same spot as it saves them a ton of development costs as the chassis is already developed.
roadburner says:
08:21 AM, 01/14/10
Paw-Paw and Maw-Maw can rest easy; Cadillac will still build a car for you.