Cadillac goes Platinum with XTS

We've banged on in the past on several occasions about how good we think Cadillac's CTS is, but this correspondent has never been a fan of the larger STS and DTS sedans that sit higher up in the brand's line-up.

To put it bluntly, the STS and DTS are more in line with Caddys of yesteryear (soft, bloated and wallowy), whereas the CTS offers Euro-rivalling dynamics.

Well, GM's premium brand may soon redress this, as it used the Detroit show to unveil the XTS Platinum Concept, a design study that previews a future large limo, and which showcases the General's latest plug-in hybrid propulsion system.

The company says the concept was "designed from the inside out, re-imagining the luxury sedan as a personal headquarters, built for efficiency, luxury and connectivity."

Cadillac also claims the XTS introduces a new approach to in-car electronics that improves the presentation and useability of the car's entertainment, navigation and information systems.
 
"The XTS Platinum concept is the next expression of Cadillac's Art and Science execution philosophy, reflecting our drive to deliver the latest innovations in the most artful manner," said Cadillac general manager Bryan Nesbitt.

The powertrain also moves the game on for Cadillac, as paired with the familiar 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 is a plug-in hybrid system.

The plug-in technology enables the battery to fully charge from a standard power socket, which means the car can function in electric-only (zero-emission) mode for most typical urban commutes.

The petrol engine works in tandem with the electric motor at higher speeds or when accelerating briskly, and the combined output from the two sources is a respectable 260kW and 400Nm.

As per the CTS-V, the XTS features Magnetic Ride Control (MRC), which uses shocks with magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to deliver sharper dynamics and better ride quality.

Cadillac claims the specially calibrated all-wheel-drive system makes the XTS a more user-friendly device in wet or icy conditions -- and the usual ABS, StabiliTrak stability control and traction control make up the driver-aid quota.

Visually, the XTS retains the edgy styling of its stablemates, with a sweeping roofline, a high bootlid and an aggressively tapered snout with LED cornering lights.

A high, sloping beltline "gestures the vehicle forward", while the fender flares ensconce 20-inch wheels and tyres.

"The wheel-to-body proportion was carefully tailored to visually communicate the car's all-wheel-drive chassis," claims the company. Dubious, to say the least... but we must admit the XTS seems a far better proposition than the frumpy STS and DTS.

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