DETROIT — Cadillac takes its top-of-the-line Platinum Edition products to the next level with the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept sedan, a plug-in hybrid that goes for a minimalist-looking instrument panel and lots of luxury amenities. The XTS Platinum makes its world debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
The all-wheel-drive XTS Platinum Concept has a 3.6-liter direct-injection gasoline engine and plug-in hybrid propulsion system that delivers an estimated 350 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Antilock brakes, stability control and traction control round out the drivetrain details.
Exterior design cues include a rear spoiler, 20-inch wheels and tires and vertical headlights and taillights.
The cabin provides the most insight into what Cadillac is envisioning for its future products — and it's clear it is hot on Lincoln's heels when it comes to shedding the traditional buttons, knobs and dials.
Cadillac says it is stripping away such classic elements of instrument panel design, instead relying on "dead front" design. In this school of thought, the instrument panel appears black until the car is turned on and the screens light up. Lincoln introduced MyLincoln last week at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, which takes the instrument panel to a new level, with a design adopted from cell phones and MP3 players.
"The concept previews a new integration philosophy guiding the development of future models with respect to in-car electronics," said Cadillac in a statement. "The XTS Platinum Concept previews this strategy via the minimization of traditional buttons and switches."
Other cabin details include what Cadillac says is a "new style" of automotive suede with a laser-etched pattern.
Cadillac says this concept envisions the luxury sedan as a "personal headquarters."
Inside Line says: Get ready for big changes in the cabin of your future Caddy, as heralded by the XTS Platinum Concept. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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dhmadwi says:
05:09 AM, 08/21/2011
This design looks beautiful, I think this is one of the best evolutions of the proportions of the front end of the car, the lights look great, although the metal grill looks too fussy for me. The interior looks great and simple, less Star Trek than current cars. The side of the car looks fantastic, a more purposeful translation of the edge theme. Kudos to GM!
twitchside says:
03:02 PM, 01/21/2010
By the way, it's AWD.
twitchside says:
03:01 PM, 01/21/2010
This is the most beautiful Cadillac ever made. To be candor, this...I am excited to drive, to feel, to see, to own. Sure I am excited each and every season I purchase a Cadillac, but this one blows it's predecessors out of the water. Cadillac, keep em coming!
btrdayz says:
07:55 AM, 01/14/2010
Who cares if a 7 Series or S Class are RWD?! When have you seen either of them driven in a sporting manner? They're luxury showboats, designed to emphasize the owner's wealth... not their driving abilities! I don't see 7 Series canyan carving in California, nor do I see them hauling and whipping from lane to lane on the Turnpike in NJ. I've never seen an S Class entered in a drifting contest. FWD or AWD is fine on these big sedans. Especially for nasty weather conditions. And I'm sure the XTS will offer V6 and V8 engines. V12s in this day and age, are rather silly.
1967firebird says:
10:57 AM, 01/13/2010
What is everyone whining about? It's beautiful! The lines look right. I don't think it looks too long. It looks like a great replacement for the DTS. It will retain the old loyal Caddi buyers and drawn in younger buyers as well. One thought for your interior designers.....If you're going to have darker accents like the top of the dash, the console, and the armrests a darker shade than the rest of the interior....why don't you make the carpet a shade darker too? Have you ever looked at how these carpets look after after you get them out of the design studio? They are impossible to clean and look like hell after no time at all.
catera2001 says:
07:13 PM, 01/12/2010
If the XTS shares the La Crosse platform... That means it will be Front Wheel Drive... How is that to compet with B.M.W 7series and Merc. S-Class.. with both of them have RWD 6`s, 8`s and V12`s.... If so... that still make the CTS the leading car Cadillac has to play with.....sad. And I am a Caddy Lover since.....
tonkatoytruck says:
07:26 AM, 01/12/2010
I keep seeing the same body designs. If you squint, it looks just like the god awful Lincoln MKS. Tall flat sides, squared off front end, and a couple like tail end that ruins rear seat ingress and trunk access.
This "bloated dead cow found in a stream after a flood" look is terrible.
I don't care for the wedge look either but its better than this.
1487 says:
05:28 AM, 01/12/2010
"Why is the back end so long? possible hurts an otherwise good looking car."
Its on the same wheelbase as Lacrosse but its 6" longer. I guess all the extra inches went to the rear end.
frank908 says:
04:25 AM, 01/12/2010
Nice. Not sure about the southwestern etched design in the console lid. It stricks me as very late 1970's looking more then 21 century.
Dig the body.
northland5 says:
11:01 PM, 01/11/2010
Cool car.