Cadillac interprets future of full-size sedans with XTS Platinum concept

[WILWAXU]

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100112/DETROIT/301129998
By JONATHAN WONG (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/personalia?ID=WONG&category=contact)

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The Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is powered by a V6 and four electric motors.

Cadillac XTS Platinum concept
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To get an idea of what the replacement to the STS and the DTS will look like, look no further than the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept that debuted at the Detroit auto show. Besides looks, the concept also sheds light on a future powertrain technology that may appear somewhere down the line.

Continuing with Cadillac's art-and-science design philosophy employed on the CTS and the SRX, the XTS concept wears vertical headlamps and taillamps with integrated light pipes and a high deck lid with a rear spoiler.

The sloping beltline sits high and the fender flares wrap around the 20-inch wheels shod with specially designed Bridgestone tires. Brushed billet aluminum trim is tastefully used around the exterior.

Being a Platinum, the interior boasts hand cut-and-sewn materials, premium leathers, and detailed stitching for the seats, dash and door panels. The seats also feature a new suede material with a laser-etched design. To reduce the use of buttons and knobs, designers developed a dead front interface consisting of display screens and a control panel that appears black until the car is started to illuminate it. Traditional gauges are also replaced with organic light-emitting diode displays.

Powering the XTS Platinum concept is a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that combines a 3.6-liter V6 and electric motors to drive all four wheels.

Together, the system provides an estimated 350 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. According to General Motors, the battery pack can be fully recharged in about five hours from a standard electrical outlet.

To deliver both a comfortable ride and the ability to stiffen the suspension for spirited drives, a magnetic ride control system is equipped. The all-wheel-drive system also receives specific calibration for optimal traction in corners and in slippery conditions.


This article was last updated on: 01/12/10, 09:12 et

[Ragtop 99]

should be quick 0-30 if all 4 wheels get driven by the electric motors.

[NJSPEEDER]

Hyundai had a similar(in teh engineering sense) concept in Detroit several years ago. No one in the booth had a lot of details other than to say it was a fast car but at the time was not viable.

Hopefully GM has made the technological leap to get a generative based hybrid off the ground

-Tim

[Nine Ball]

Car looks great. I really like how Caddy has its own identity in style, not a knock-off of the typical BMW/Benz/Audi shapes like other brands tend to mimic. I'd like to see a V8 option however, for the diehard big-Caddy buyers who won't settle for less. XTS-V would be even sweeter.

[LEO]

I like the concept, good looking exterior and interior. Probably the best Cadillac has offered to date.

[tones2SS]

Nice looking car.
It looks like a modern day Buick. Nothing wrong with that though!!:woot:

[Jano4]

Sharpe looking car inside and out.

[Richiec77]

Interior looks very good. It's a concept, but why don't the Caddy's come with real wood and real AL trim. I saw Lisa's S5 and the real AL trim looks GREAT!!! in that car. Would also look great in the caddy too. If they adopt that interior as is (Overall shape will probably have to be tweeked for safety reasons) it would be a very good thing for Cadillac to do. They seem serious about taking back their old title as "Standard for the world".

I'm curious about the rumors of the new Diesel V-8 in the Cadillac's. Supposedly it'll slot between the V6 and V8/SC cars. NM. The 4.5 Duramax that was being planned for Cadillac has been put on hold. That engine would have been sweet for a DD. 320HP, 540RWTQ and would have gotten over 30MPG on the hwy.

[WILWAXU]

Right. American manufactures have done well with good looking designs, but have failed to get the bean counters to buy off on decent materials to make the cars "feel" as good as they look.

I don't believe there shouldn't be any plastic in an interior... I just think it should be every part.

[Richiec77]

Right. American manufactures have done well with good looking designs, but have failed to get the bean counters to buy off on decent materials to make the cars "feel" as good as they look.

I don't believe there shouldn't be any plastic in an interior... I just think it should be every part.

Right. I have no problems with plastic being used just where it's used. The V could have used brushed aluminum instead of this horible faux carbon fiber.

[Nine Ball]

Do you mean carbon fauber? LOL

Worst part about the V, I agree.

[Richiec77]

Do you mean carbon fauber? LOL

Worst part about the V, I agree.

Yeah. Fake as hell looking fiber. Blah. I love just about everything on my CTS-V except that part.

I'm still thinking about what to do with those parts. I don't think AL will work like we discussed nor an overlay. I might get sparky and do real fiber. Start with Dry Fiber at 1st since I can always lay on some epoxy or resin on top after it's layed on the part. Nice part about those trim pieces are they are easy to remove so I maybe able to pull the piece, lay some fiber on with tape holding it from the back to get an idea of how it'll look. If it needs resin, then I also have the option to put some tint in the clear to give it a distinct look.

Oh yeah. When you come out to the track, can you bring some of that Vinyl you bought? I'd like to see how that might look.