Autoblog

Report: Cadillac XTS confirmed for production

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Concept Cars, Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Cadillac XTS Platinum concept unveiled at 2010 Detroit Auto Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in January, we watched as Cadillac took the wraps off of its big XTS Platinum sedan concept under the Detroit Auto Show lights. And while parent company General Motors insisted on slapping the word "concept" behind the car's name, we were pretty sure that the XTS we saw in Cobo Hall was very close to being production-ready.

Now, a new report from Motor Trend states that GM has, in fact, given the Cadillac XTS the go-ahead. When it hits the streets, the XTS will replace both the aging STS and DTS in the Cadillac lineup, and will feature a plug-in hybrid system mated to a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 - the system originally developed for the Saturn Vue. MT also reports that a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter V6 could be in the works, and that GM hasn't necessarily ruled out the option of shoving a big ol' V8 under the Caddy's hood.

GM is also working hard to ensure that the XTS's high-zoot interior remains intact for the production car (or, as close as it can get). Cadillac is hoping to offer some proper competition for top-end German luxury cars with the XTS, and we'll know how it fares when it hits the road next year, badged as a 2012 model.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

Gallery: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: Cadillac XTS confirmed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap

Dan Roth — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Podcasts, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Lincoln, Toyota, Volkswagen

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

It's a North American International Auto Show recap for Episode #161 of the Autoblog Podcast. Chris, Sam and Dan mull the top five of the show before speaking more in depth about some unveilings. The new Chevrolet Aveo gets us started before we move on to another sharply styled General Motors concept, the GMC Granite. We touch briefly on the Honda CR-Z, and then Toyota's FT-CH comes up next before we call it a night with the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept.

We'll be back again next week with more Autoblog Podcast goodness. Until then, fill in with Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap

Autoblog Podcast #161 - Detroit Auto Show recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AB's Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Etc.

We love auto show season, mostly for the chance to see all the coolest new cars and concepts that the world's best automakers have to offer. This year at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, though, there weren't nearly as many new models to point our DSLR lenses at... for rather obvious reasons.

As such, we've cut the typical Top 10 in half and compiled a list of the Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Keep in mind that there are a number of reasons why a vehicle might be interesting or important, and we've run the gamut to represent all different types on our list.

Interestingly, you'll only see Detroit-based automakers in our Top Five. That conclusion wasn't reached on purpose, we simply judged each new model on its own merits and this is how our musings turned out. For an added bonus, each of us in attendance picked our own personal favorite. So, without further ado, click here to see our Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

[Image: Bryan Mitchell/Getty]

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AB's Top Five Introductions from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is anything but [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Cadillac XTS Platinum concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Let's just call this one the Cadillac XTS Platinum "Concept." For reals y'all, this is one of, if not the most production ready "concepts" we've ever seen. For its part, Cadillac stuck to the "It's just a concept" mantra. Though they might as well have all been nodding, elbowing and winking. If When the new XTS sees production it, will replace both the STS and the DTS.

For you tech geeks out there, this new Caddy is fairly intriguing. The all-wheel-drive powertrain is motivated by a plug-in two-mode hybrid consisting of the brand's 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 coupled to an electric motor. Cadillac was tight-lipped on the power rating, hemming and hawing before saying "around 350 horsepower."

That may not sound like buckets of oomph, but when compared to the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid - the XTS's probable direct competitor - makes 295 hp. The XTS theoretically makes 295 pound-feet of torque, too. For those of you not geeked on the hybrid bandwagon, Cadillac's general manager Bryan Nesbitt posed an interesting hypothetical question, "Is the largest displacement engine the only symbol of luxury?"

As for the XTS itself, it looks like a big Cadillac., which if you stop and think about is is a good thing. Cadillacs should be big, and this sucker is large - within a couple of inches of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, according to both Caddy and our highly unscientific eyeball-based measuring system. We also thought the XTS was significantly better looking in person than in the preview pictures that broke last night. Supposedly there are lots of design cues borrowed from Cadillac's legendary Sixteen Concept, but aside from the grille we're not seeing it.

The XTS has its own mojo going on, especially when it comes to the interior. Here's where the Platinum part comes in. Nesbitt explained that Cadillac intends the XTS Platinum to be a "personal headquarters." We're not going to buy into the CEO and wannabe CEO pandering, but lordy is the interior fabulous. Featuring intricate laser-perforated stitching on the leather and synthetic-suede bits with sharp looking burled wood covering everything else, we have to say that with the exception of the Bentley Mulsanne, the XTS Platinum Concept has the best interior at the show. Call it the Cadillac of interiors. Video of the live reveal is available after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

Continue reading Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is anything but [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is anything but [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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