Preview: The 2012 Cadillac XTS
Announced at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the 2012 Cadillac XTS is scheduled for production in late 2011 at the Oshawa, Canada GM factory. While many were surprised to find that the concept car was not as showy as expected, it is still, nevertheless, a luxury vehicle. It also follows trends of other luxury car manufacturers who have “reduced” their looks to appeal to a larger range of customers. Today, it is all about sales and not necessarily about distinction.
Nobody can dispute, though, that the four-door XTS is gorgeous, with its aerodynamic design, spoked wheels, and large front grill. The rear and side profiles are not as sharp looking as the front, but then there are less shiny elements to admire.
What makes the Cadillac XTS unique is that it is considered a new player in the competitive field of luxury sedans, previously monopolized by Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Audi, BMW and Lexus. GM believes that it can compete head-to-head with BMW and Mercedes-Benz, both of whom have semi-hybrid luxury sedans already on the market. In a bold move, it has been suggested that the Cadillac XTS might exceed the competition’s sales, simply because it is a real hybrid.
Replacing the retired STS and DTS lines, the XTS was actually called the XTS Platinum Concept for the show. Additionally, it is a hybrid, which makes it even more appealing in a luxury market. Consumers want the luxury factor coupled with eco-conscious features. Prior to this model, Cadillac had no hybrid sedans. The vehicle can be powered either by electricity or gas or a combination of both when the situation demands more power. It is fitted with a V6, 350 horsepower engine, and only takes five hours to fully charge the lithium-ion battery pack. Unlike other “green” cars that require 240V electrical outlets, the XTS can used a standard 110V outdoor plugin.
The interior of the XTS is what one would expect of Cadillac. Rich looking, sumptuous, technologically advanced, spacious, and comfortable are features of this iconic brand. In fact, one might forget that this is a car interior. With Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays, touchscreen navigation, and supple leather enhancements, it might be hard to pry oneself out of this vehicle when arriving at one’s destination. The rich contrast of the light colored seats and carpeting, with the dark accents make the interior warm and inviting. Interspersed with suede, and controlled lighting for maximum comfort are expected of Cadillac.
Safety features that make up the XTS are traction control, GM’s StabiliTrak™ stability control, and four-channel anti-lock disc brakes. The exact selling price of the car has not been announced, but insiders expect the price to be around the $100,000 US mark, like other vehicles in this class.
While today’s luxury cars may not be as long and as big as twenty years ago, luxury is sill an important concept. Cadillac has always been, and still is, known as a higher-end vehicle. Its days of grandeur are still plenty and the 2012 Cadillac XTS will prove it.
Categorised as: Cadillac
