Cadillac XTS looks like Sixteen Concept, ATS aims at 3 Series with RWD

This morning at the media preview hosted by General Motors in its design dome, VP of Design Ed Welburn showed off full-size styling bucks of the next two models from Cadillac. Rounding out the lineup for GM's luxury brand will be the XTS and ATS. The ATS is a smaller car than the CTS and will take direct aim at the heart of the 3-Series. The model shown was a two-door coupe with a roof-line closer in shape to the CTS sedan rather than the extreme fastback profile of the CTS coupe. The overall design is an evolution of the current CTS with headlights that stretch back across the top of the fender line. Although no one would confirm the platform underneath, they did say it would be rear- and all-wheel drive, just like a 3. Earlier in the morning, new Cadillac general manager Bryan Nesbitt said the next generation CTS is already under development and would be new from the ground up. It seems reasonable to assume that it is being developed to allow for a shorter version for the ATS.

The XTS, on the other hand, is huge and carries a lot of the design first seen on the celebrated Sixteen concept (seen above and in high-res gallery below), which means it's stunning in person. Given that a V16 is out of the question, the hood is obviously much shorter than the concept's. The flanks have more curvature than the current DTS and a character line with an undercut lies just below the belt-line.

Welburn declined to give specific timing except to say that both cars were coming soon. We already know that DTS is ending production soon to make way for the Volt at the Detroit Hamtramck plant. There was also no indication of powertrains, although the ATS is likely to be powered by four- and six-cylinder engines. The XTS may use the next generation small block V8 that debuts next year.