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2013 Cadillac XTS [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Cadillac, New Car Reviews, Luxury

The Cadillac Of Stopgaps

As confusing as most alphanumeric car names have gotten in recent years, at least one constant has been that the letter "X" is generally indicative of a crossover. Then why did General Motors use this letter on its new 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan? Well, for that, we'll have to look to the world of mathematics where "X" stands for an unknown variable or a placeholder. Now we're talking. The XTS is just an interim product sitting at the top of Cadillac's four-door food chain until the brand gets a true flagship in place. That sounds like a lot of resources to spend on what will likely be a one-and-done model, but the automaker needed to get something - anything - to replace the DTS.

So here you have the 2013 XTS. A big luxury sedan that was created to bridge the gap between Cadillac's recent past and its pending future. Going into our week with this XTS knowing that it was a stopgap measure proved to be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, we know (or hope) that this car will act as a baseline for future high-end Cadillac models, but at the same time, we couldn't help but be mindful of past stopgap models, albeit in more entry-level segments, like the Cimarron and Catera.

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Spy Shots: Production Cadillac XTS caught testing

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Cadillac, GM, Luxury

Cadillac XTS spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Cadillac is preparing to launch a new flagship sedan based on the XTS Platinum concept that will replace both the STS and DTS sedans in the luxury automaker's lineup. Our trusty spy photographers recently caught this camouflaged prototype within GM's testing facility, showing that the car has skipped the normal test mule phase and gone right to what's called the IVER - Integration Vehicle Engineering Release - stage.

During its move from concept to production, the XTS has lots its frameless window design in favor of more traditional pillars, including a proper B-pillar construction. Still, the shape and placement of the door cut lines seem to be identical to the concept, as does the rake of the C-pillar.

Since the production XTS will ride on the same Epsilon II architecture that underpins the Buick LaCrosse, expect the production car to be front-wheel drive, though it's likely that an all-wheel-drive variant will be offered once the car hits showrooms. See the prototype for yourself in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Cadillac XTS

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Production Cadillac XTS caught testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mooted Cadillac flagship could be mid-engined sports car

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Cadillac, GM, Rumormill, Luxury

2010 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Car and Driver is reporting that the often-reported Cadillac flagship is at a crossroads. There have been many rumors that the planned range-topper will wind up as a rear-wheel drive, high-end luxury sedan slotting above the production version of the XTS Platinum (the concept version of which is shown above). Now C/D has apparently been hearing whispers that it may in fact show up as a mid-engined sports car.

While the thought of a luxurious, mid-engined ZR1 sounds appealing, we'll file this in the don't-hold-your-breath category. Although, if the company is brassy enough to build the ultra low-volume CTS-V Sport Wagon, then perhaps anything is possible.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

[Source: Car and Driver]

Rumormill: Mooted Cadillac flagship could be mid-engined sports car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:01:00 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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