LA 2011: Cadillac XTS: Comments

[William Maley]

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Cadillac is finally showing off the new XTS sedan today at the LA Auto Show.

The XTS takes the place of the DTS and STS sedans to become Cadillac's large sedan. And large it is with a length of 202 in., width of 72.9in., height of 59.1 in., and rides on a wheelbase that is 111.7 in. Cadillac says those measurements help give the XTS 40 in. of rear legroom and a trunk capacity of 18 cubic feet.

Styling is very close to the XTS Platinum concept shown at last years North American International Auto Show.

Step inside the XTS and your greeted with either perforated or supple black leather with french, white stitching. The dash is covered in leather with a handful of accents ranging from a dark wood finish, to a brushed metal to a unique honeycomb-patterned surface.

Also, the XTS gets Cadillac's CUE infotainment system that comes with an 8-inch screen in the center stack, and an available 12.3-inch reconfigurable cluster that offers four driver-selectable themes, ranging from minimal to extensive information.

Under the skin lies GM's 3.6L V-6 DI LFX V6 producing 300 HP and 264 lb-ft of torque. GM's Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control is standard. The XTS is also fitted with GM's Magnetic Ride Control, rear air suspension, HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo brakes fitted as standard. Optional is a Haldex all-wheel-drive system with an electronic limited-slip differential.

GM says the FWD XTS will get an estimated 17 City/28 Highway while the AWD version will get 17 City/27 Highway.

The XTS will be built at Oshawa, Ontario in spring 2012.

Press Release is on Page 2

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2013 Cadillac XTS Introduces a New Formula for Luxury

LOS ANGELES – Cadillac unveiled the 2013 XTS today, the newest addition to the Cadillac luxury sedan lineup. It arrives in showrooms in the spring of 2012 as the most technologically advanced production car in the brand’s history.

Larger than the CTS, the new XTS delivers the space, elegance and dramatic presence that are Cadillac signatures, but with entirely new and technically advanced methods tuned for a new generation of luxury customers. It also marks the debut of CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

In addition to the CUE interface and connectivity, many other advanced technologies are integral to the new XTS. It will be the only luxury sedan with standard Magnetic Ride Control – the world’s fastest-reacting suspension. Advanced technologies that enhance vision are available as well.

Positioned directly above the centerpiece CTS family in Cadillac’s revamped lineup, the new XTS features a 3.6L direct injection engine and advanced all-wheel drive system, marking a shift to more-efficient performance in a spacious luxury sedan.

“The Cadillac XTS represents a new formula for luxury, driven by advanced technology,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. “XTS showcases the evolution of our Art & Science philosophy, merging the best technical ideas with the continued refinement of Cadillac design.”

Cadillac CUE is the highly customizable user interface that exemplifies XTS’ blend of advanced technology and artistic design. The heart of CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, is the standard eight-inch (203 mm) screen in the “center stack,” the faceplate below the screen and the steering wheel controls. CUE features several industry firsts, including capacitive-touch control with proximity sensing, gesture recognition and natural voice recognition.

Available exclusively on the XTS is the 12.3-inch (312 mm) reconfigurable cluster. It features vibrant graphic displays showcased among four driver-selectable themes, ranging from minimal to extensive information. And while it is the prominent element in the XTS’ technological character, CUE is part of a more comprehensive and layered approach to the car’s design, capabilities and performance

“The more you look, the more layers you see in XTS,” said Butler. “They aren’t always apparent to the eye, but they build on one another in important ways to reinforce the car’s strength of design, comfort and driving experience.”

Highlights include:

• Advanced Haldex all-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled limited-slip differential
  
• Magnetic Ride Control, rear air suspension, HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo brakes – all standard
  
• Standard 19-inch wheels and available 20-inch wheels
  
• Direct-injected 3.6L V-6 with lightweight features, including integrated cylinder heads/exhaust manifolds
  
• Capless fuel tank filler for easier, cleaner refueling
  
• Folding rear-seat headrests that enhance rear visibility
  
• Safety Alert Seat that vibrates to alert the driver
  
• Intervening braking system that lessens or avoids potential collisions
  
• Short- and long-range radar systems that support:
  

Ø Adaptive Cruise Control

Ø Front and Rear Automatic Brakes

Ø Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The XTS is also the most-spacious Cadillac sedan, tailored to provide roominess in a more efficiently sized package. It offers more interior space than midsize luxury cars and comparable to full-size sedans, particularly in the rear seat area, where it has 40 inches (1,016 mm) of rear legroom. That’s about four more inches than the BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and about two more inches than the Audi A6 – and comparable to larger sedans.

And when it comes to trunk space, the XTS is in a league of its own, with 18 cubic feet (509 L), exceeding both midsize and full-size competitors – more than Audi A6 and A8L, BMW 5 and 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class. For XTS customers, the cargo advantage means room for five or more suitcases.

Technology reinforces multidimensional design philosophy

XTS’ hardware and spatial dimensions are the foundational layers that support a new level of surface detail. Multidimensional exterior and interior elements, including the grille, headlamps and new use of accent lighting, coalesce to give the XTS a presence and attention to detail unlike any Cadillac that has come before it.

“The XTS’ technology is woven into its design in ways that affirm the driving experience is of primary importance to a new generation of luxury customers,” said Clay Dean, design director and Cadillac brand champion. “This is the new expression of luxury at Cadillac and it shows in the multilayered details, authentic materials and unprecedented connectivity.”

CUE, for example, represents the pinnacle of technology, but it is being showcased using a subtle and sophisticated interior appearance that blends with other features to create a soothing and inviting feel. It offers more capability and driver-selectable choices than ever before from Cadillac, but the center stack has only seven buttons – four of them for the radio. That’s less than half the controls found on the center stack of the typical car.

“Technology helps the XTS deliver more with less,” said Dean. “Choreographed interior lighting and other unique features tailored to individual driver preferences complement CUE to create an exceptionally refined and advanced ambience.”

The XTS’ surface details also convey a more-nuanced design philosophy, with elements that support the long, sleek proportion that is a welcome return to Cadillac. They bring forward more beauty and elegance with refined, graceful forms and surfaces working harmoniously with established Cadillac linear forms. It is a car that conveys the next step in Cadillac form and surface vocabulary.

“It is a bold, elegant design and also very efficient in the ways it encompasses passengers and cargo,” said Dean. “It’s a new proportion for Cadillac and a new era in luxury.”

The XTS Platinum is the fullest expression of Cadillac’s multidimensional philosophy, with features that include a chrome/satin-chrome grille finish, polished 20-inch aluminum wheels with chrome inserts, a fully wrapped leather interior with Alcantara headliner and more.

Advanced safety features based on ‘control and alert’ strategy

The XTS’ technology fundamentally supports a suite of advanced safety features, based on a “control and alert” strategy that extends the vision around the vehicle. It helps drivers identify potential crash situations and even intervenes when a crash threat appears more imminent, employing layers of visual, audible and tactile (vibration) alerts, depending on the alert feature.

The alerts are designed to identify obstacles with sufficient warning to give the driver time to react and make changes – including the Safety Alert Seat feature, which vibrates either the left or right side of the driver’s seat cushion, depending on the location of the impending concern. The intervening features, including Automatic Collision Preparation, take over if the threat appears more immediate or the driver does not react to previous alerts.

Two levels of control-and-alert protection are offered in the XTS’ Enhanced Safety Strategy (ESS) packages.

ESS I includes:

• Lane Departure Warning
  
• Forward Collision Alert
  
• Safety Alert Seat
  
• Side Blind Zone Alert
  
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  
• Reflected LED display.
  

ESS II includes all ESS I content plus:

· Head-up display (in color)

· Front and Rear Automatic Brake

· Adaptive Cruise Control

· Automatic Collision Preparation

XTS also features OnStar as standard. OnStar service also includes myCadillac and OnStar myLink mobile apps, which offer vehicle information and OnStar services via the customer’s smartphone.

AWD and Magnetic Ride Control support new driving experience

A layered approach to the driving experience relies on new and established technologies – all rooted in a stiff structure. The body is infused with strategically placed ultra-high-strength steel for strength and crash protection and serves as the foundation for the advanced-chassis system.

A smart Haldex all-wheel-drive system – with an electronic limited-slip differential that splits torque between the rear wheels – complements an advanced HiPer Strut front suspension and standard Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping to give the XTS sure-footed, confident and comfortable ride and handling traits. A linked H-arm design with “air springs” comprises the rear suspension.

HiPer Strut is based on the MacPherson strut front suspension design and features dual-path top mountings that separate the transfer of spring and damper loads to the body structure. It improves ride-and-handling characteristics in four significant ways:

• Provides more linear and communicative steering through improved camber control
  
• Improves impact isolation on bumps and rough surfaces
  
• Reduces torque steer
  
• Improves vehicle sensitivity to tire irregularities and wheel imbalance.
  

Magnetic Ride Control delivers precise body motion control – “reading” the road every millisecond and changing damping in just five milliseconds. It replaces conventional mechanical-valve shocks with electronically controlled shocks filled with a magneto-rheological fluid containing minute iron particles. Under the presence of magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly.

StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on all models, along with variable-effort steering and Brembo four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel antilock brakes – all features that add important layers of control to the driving experience. Like Magnetic Ride Control, XTS borrows the Brembo braking technology from Cadillac’s V-Series of high performance models.

Horsepower for the XTS comes from an advanced 3.6L V-6 that’s known by its “LFX” engine code. It is rated at an estimated 300 horsepower (224 kW). Lightweight features help reduce overall weight for greater efficiency and a more favorable front-to-rear weight balance. Examples include a composite intake manifold saves approximately 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) over the weight of a comparable aluminum intake and an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design that saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine.

The LFX engine is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control.

The XTS will begin production in Oshawa, Ontario in spring 2012.

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[z28luvr01]

No info about the hybrid? Still, fairly impressive fuel economy numbers for such a big car.

[Drew Dowdell]

This looks best if you use full screen

<iframe frameborder='0' scrolling='no' align='middle' SRC='http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=c007qu5m&preview=true' height='430' width='560' allowtransparency='true'></iframe>

[William Maley]

No info about the hybrid? Still, fairly impressive fuel economy numbers for such a big car.

I think we'll be hearing about the hybrid at a later time

[67impss]

Thanx Olds

[hyperv6]

I can see many many options here that are not and will not be available on a Buick for a long time if ever. More suspension, more quiet, more drive line, more technology and just more of many things that Buick can not use based on their price point. This car looks to be some where to being $45K-55K based on the hardware it is using and will be interesting to see what it brings in the reviews. It the media gives it an endorsement it should do well.

I do have an interest in what they have planned for a V model. I did not expect it but I already see the Haldex AWD and matched with the Magna Ride just a Turbo V6 it could make for an suprise for many people.

If they can under cut the price on some of the other cars alittle this could do very well.

[Drew Dowdell]

The Lacrosse already handles excellently. Adding magnaride will only improve it further. I just want to see it in person with out the GM photochopping. the pics on twitter today weren't very good quality.

[Bimmer325]

So, essentially, this is a competitor to the 2012 Hyundai Azera.

[FAPTurbo]

Sure... if the Azera actually had technology.

[Blake Noble]

I still hate the exterior of the car. GM shown they could've done better.

The interior is quite nice, however. I can understand the changes there versus the "concept" car. Somehow the center IP vents faintly remind me of those I've seen in various vintage GM cars (the first cars I thought of were '80s Fleetwood Broughams).

[vonVeezelsnider]

The long narrow center IP vents go further back than that actually...

1966

But I do see what you mean, seems kinda like the vents on the 1977-92 RWD Caddies.

[hyperv6]

So, essentially, this is a competitor to the 2012 Hyundai Azera.

While it may not be RWD It is closer to the Equus with the level of advanced equipment and luxury. The Azera is closer to the Lacrosse price and equipment wise.

The Lacrosse already handles excellently. Adding magnaride will only improve it further. I just want to see it in person with out the GM photochopping. the pics on twitter today weren't very good quality.

I noted too the Hyper Struts on all four corners. If I recall they only use them on the front of the Lacrosse?

When you come down to it this may be based on the L:acrosse platform which is not really a bad thing and made up with money better spent on world class parts going into it.

Just off the top we have Magnetic Ride one of the best systems in the world. Hyper Stuts one of the most advanced struts in the world. Haldex AWD system hailed by many as one of the best AWD systems in the world. and it goes on with Brembo brakes standard etc. These additions of parts should dress this car up to be a very good car. We will have to wait to see after a drive and reviews but on paper to this point it looks like they may do well. The size will not be a factor as most all volume luxury cars will get smaller with the looming CAFe. I saw yesterday they were tossing what was it 54.5 MPG?

Edited November 17, 2011 by hyperv6

[Robert Hall]

One tiny detail I noticed--folding rear seat headrests..not sure why they would call that out as a highlight... M-B had power ones over 20 years ago...

[Drew Dowdell]

Sure... if the Azera actually had technology.

or the style

[Drew Dowdell]

I noted too the Hyper Struts on all four corners. If I recall they only use them on the front of the Lacrosse?

I'm not sure why you would put hi-per struts on all 4 corners though. The technology is about killing torque steer. There's no need for that on the rear wheels that I see.

[SAmadei]

I noted too the Hyper Struts on all four corners. If I recall they only use them on the front of the Lacrosse?

I'm not sure why you would put hi-per struts on all 4 corners though. The technology is about killing torque steer. There's no need for that on the rear wheels that I see.

Maybe its getting all wheel drive AND all wheel steering.

[Drew Dowdell]

It's not hi-per strut on all 4 corners:

An advanced HiPer Strut front suspension and standard Magnetic Ride Control real-time damping to give the XTS sure-footed, confident and comfortable ride and handling traits. A linked H-arm design with “air springs” comprises the rear suspension.

Air springs + Magnaride means super smooth ride without being a barge.

[Robert Hall]

Does HiPer Strut or MRC provide anti-dive under braking? Would think the car's weight distribution would be heavily towards the front..

[Drew Dowdell]

Magnaride would.

[hyperv6]

I noted too the Hyper Struts on all four corners. If I recall they only use them on the front of the Lacrosse?

I'm not sure why you would put hi-per struts on all 4 corners though. The technology is about killing torque steer. There's no need for that on the rear wheels that I see.

Sorry I misread and see the front only. I assumed they may have use it to control bump steer?

I noted too the Hyper Struts on all four corners. If I recall they only use them on the front of the Lacrosse?

I'm not sure why you would put hi-per struts on all 4 corners though. The technology is about killing torque steer. There's no need for that on the rear wheels that I see.

Maybe its getting all wheel drive AND all wheel steering.

AWS is a gimick I would not expect to see repeated soon on any car.

[balthazar]

Would think the car's weight distribution would be heavily towards the front.

Not sure why you'd think that; LaCrosse FWD is 58/42 in weight distribution, or only 4 percentage numbers off a RWD mercedeees C300 (54/46).

It's not like the XTS is going to be 70/30.

Edited November 17, 2011 by balthazar

[Robert Hall]

Would think the car's weight distribution would be heavily towards the front.

Not sure why you'd think that; LaCrosse FWD is 58/42 in weight distribution, or only 4 percentage numbers off a RWD mercedes C300 (54/46).

It's not like the XTS is going to be 70/30.

Remember, I'm not an FWD fan, so it's natural I would think that... I thought it would be more like 65/35... And why do you always mispell 'Mercedes'??

Edited November 17, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

the awd lacrosse has a weight distribution about the same as an A8. an xts awd would be better. even if only slightly

[balthazar]

Cubitar ~ >>"Remember, I'm not an FWD fan, so it's natural I would think that... I thought it would be more like 65/35... "<<

Time to update your database.

>>"And why do you always mispell 'Mercedes'??"<<

I do? I didn't notice.

Edited November 18, 2011 by balthazar

[smk4565]

The outside is boring, and it looks like it has no rear deck lid, the trunk is like 4% of the car's length. And what is up with the rear door pillar, then a tiny window, then a huge C pillar? And the whole car gives me a Chevy/Buick vibe, because of the shapes and design cues, especially on the dash board. And the height, it is almost 60 inches tall, why are GM and Ford making such tall cars? This car just doesn't say "expensive" or "classy" to me, although it is not as bad a train wreck as the 2013 MKS.

300 hp V6 is nothing special, acceleration will probably be similar to the Deville/DTS. AWD and capless fuel filling is off the Lincoln, we basically have a LaCrosse/MKS blend with magnetic ride control and a digital display (which they don't state if it is LCD, LED, or TFT).

This lowers the standard for Cadillac.

[hyperv6]

The outside is boring, and it looks like it has no rear deck lid, the trunk is like 4% of the car's length. And what is up with the rear door pillar, then a tiny window, then a huge C pillar? And the whole car gives me a Chevy/Buick vibe, because of the shapes and design cues, especially on the dash board. And the height, it is almost 60 inches tall, why are GM and Ford making such tall cars? This car just doesn't say "expensive" or "classy" to me, although it is not as bad a train wreck as the 2013 MKS.

300 hp V6 is nothing special, acceleration will probably be similar to the Deville/DTS. AWD and capless fuel filling is off the Lincoln, we basically have a LaCrosse/MKS blend with magnetic ride control and a digital display (which they don't state if it is LCD, LED, or TFT).

This lowers the standard for Cadillac.

In this class not everyone wants a feak of nature. Most want a solid comfortable luxury car. The tall roof adds more space and makes the interior feel more open vs sitting in a bunker like the 300. Fianlly the 300 HP is the base car and will make most buyers in this class happy.

You have to look at this car for the people it is targeted at no yourself. THis is not a car for you but there is a great segment out there that will love it. If Cadillac would make only cars most here on C&G they would be missing a large slice of the market. Many here need to wake up and learn that we are not the majority of buyers here. THis is why cars we do not love lke the Civic and Camry are top sellers. Same applies to the Luxury market, Not everyone wants a 5 series M car. The Luxury market is built on many boring sedans that support the other companies AMG and M series cars the represent only a fraction of their production.

Car companies today need models that reach all buyers in class not just some.

Besides it would be 3 years min before they would get another car out and even then what would it be based on. The flagship will be on the RWD platform and they really have little else to put this segment on.

I think the sales will show GM knows there is a market here and a lot of money to be made. They did ok with a poor old DTS and this car will only improve on that.

[smk4565]

I know who Cadillac is targeting, but I think it is a waste of time to do so, and it further hurts brand image of being a car for old people in Florida. And I know the entry-lux market exists of people that don't care about drive train or horsepower and just want a comfortable car, but those sort of cars can be bought for less than (or equal money to) a CTS, Cadillac is going to price the XTS higher than a CTS. I wouldn't mind this car as a Buick Park Avenue to give them an actual luxury car to sit atop their lineup, but I don't like this car as a Cadillac.

[regfootball]

changing to RWD killed STS sales. Caddy will have ATS and CTS with RWD and a new future flagship with RWD bias, I struggle to see why an AWD XTS to replace the popular DTS style car is a bad thing.

Especially when BMW, Jag and others are going FWD too.

[ocnblu]

Questions: does the relatively short wheelbase, narrow width and relatively long length indicate a vehicle hamstrung by a platform that is stretched beyond its limits? Because Chrysler did this in the 80's with the K-car platform, they put as much length as they could in wheelbase, then added overhangs to give the impression of size... but the platform was still a K-car.

I am using this parallel not because I think the Regal and Malibu are no better than a Reliant, or that the XTS is no better than an 80's Imperial, I'm using it to ask a serious question: is the XTS simply too big for its underpinnings?

2012 Lincoln MKS:

wheelbase - 112.9"

length - 204.1"

width - 75.9"

height - 61.6"

The MKS platform... is it a stretched version of a smaller car? I am not entirely certain what it is derived from, is it all Ford, or is it Volvo S80 derived?

2012 Volvo S80 -

wheelbase - 111.6"

length - 191.0"

width - 73.3"

height - 58.8"

Edited November 18, 2011 by ocnblu

[Justin Bimmer]

I think MKS is Taurus right?

[ocnblu]

Yup but I think they're very close in size. What I'm not sure of is where the Taurus/MKS/Flex/Freestyle/Taurus X/Explorer/MKT platform derived from. I don't think it is based on a smaller car like the Epsilon II XTS.

Edited November 19, 2011 by ocnblu

[Robert Hall]

Yup but I think they're very close in size. What I'm not sure of is where the Taurus/MKS/Flex/Freestyle/Taurus X/Explorer/MKT platform derived from. I don't think it is based on a smaller car like the Epsilon II XTS.

The D3/D4 platform was originally based on the Volvo S60/S80 platform (P2) that came out in '99. Debuted w/ the Five Hundred and Montego back in MY '05.

Edited November 19, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ocnblu]

Well then, the P2 platform was involving smaller cars, the S60 is not very big.

[Robert Hall]

I assume one reason the Epsilon II cars are narrow is that it is a global platform. I don't really care for the tall and narrow design trait of so many cars today, I prefer lower-longer-wider.

Edited November 19, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[ehaase]

I read somewhere, probably Blue Oval News, that Ford's D3 has more in common with the Volvo XC90 version of P2 than the S80 version of P2. That may be why the D3 sedans are so tall. There are rumors the next MKS will switch to the Ford Flex wheelbase which may help proportions.

I also think the XTS is 21st century version of the early 1990's K based Imperial/Fifth Avenue.

[hyperv6]

I know who Cadillac is targeting, but I think it is a waste of time to do so, and it further hurts brand image of being a car for old people in Florida. And I know the entry-lux market exists of people that don't care about drive train or horsepower and just want a comfortable car, but those sort of cars can be bought for less than (or equal money to) a CTS, Cadillac is going to price the XTS higher than a CTS. I wouldn't mind this car as a Buick Park Avenue to give them an actual luxury car to sit atop their lineup, but I don't like this car as a Cadillac.

See this is where you are wrong. GM needs to sell to all people not just a few groups. There are several groups within the Luxury group. Also I think you will find this car will have some appeal to more than just snow tops. Unlike some want to believe not all buyers want a CTSV but they do want a car that is better than the old DTS.

THis is not a car for you and that is fine but you also have to understand you do not represent the main stream.

[hyperv6]

Questions: does the relatively short wheelbase, narrow width and relatively long length indicate a vehicle hamstrung by a platform that is stretched beyond its limits? Because Chrysler did this in the 80's with the K-car platform, they put as much length as they could in wheelbase, then added overhangs to give the impression of size... but the platform was still a K-car.

I am using this parallel not because I think the Regal and Malibu are no better than a Reliant, or that the XTS is no better than an 80's Imperial, I'm using it to ask a serious question: is the XTS simply too big for its underpinnings?

2012 Lincoln MKS:

wheelbase - 112.9"

length - 204.1"

width - 75.9"

height - 61.6"

The MKS platform... is it a stretched version of a smaller car? I am not entirely certain what it is derived from, is it all Ford, or is it Volvo S80 derived?

2012 Volvo S80 -

wheelbase - 111.6"

length - 191.0"

width - 73.3"

height - 58.8"

This car is not that much larger than the Lacrosse and I see few people complain about it's size in any dim. I think once most see this car in person they will be fine with it.

The other issue is most larger cars will be this size soon as the market for large cars will become smaller and more expensive just as large engines will. Even today Jags leader is wanting to build a City car. These are very telling signs to the lenght the market will go. It is sad but we will see small boxes from some great names. We may be lucky to have a car as large as the XTS that we can afford by 2025.

[smk4565]

City cars will become popular be cause of population boom in urban areas. China and India combined have about 2.5 billion people, I'd want a car I can sell to those markets and to the cities that have populations of 10 or 20 million people.

[smk4565]

I want to make a comparison.

1998 Cadillac Seville

300 hp

295 lb-ft torque

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

Length: 201 inches

Width: 75 inches

Height: 55.4 inches

Weight 4001 lbs

XTS:

300 hp

264 lb-ft torque

Wheelbase: 111.7 inches

Length: 202 inches

Width: 72.9 inches

Height: 59.1 inches

Weight ??? lbs

14 years later we have a taller, narrower Seville with less torque. How exciting.

Edited November 19, 2011 by smk4565

[FAPTurbo]

You forgot that whole 'technology' thing.

[smk4565]

The technology on the 98 Seville was probably greater than the average car than the XTS technology compared to the average car. A lot of cars now have blue tooth, lane departure warning, parking aides, back up cameras. Radar/Lasar cruise control is fairly common among luxury cars, magnetic ride control is what sets the XTS apart from an average car, but the 2002 Seville had MagnaRide, and Acura, Audi, Porsche, BMW, Corvette and Ferrari use a form of magnetorheological suspension.

[FAPTurbo]

No other car has a system as advanced and as seamless as CUE, nor do any of their systems have the 'haptic,' touch feedback of it.

Back in 1998, crank windows could still be standard on cars and air conditioning was an option. Now everyone has technology. But the real challenge is offering the most complete package that has the best feature-set, and integration. The XTS offers the best, most cohesive package that is above anything in the automotive world. Sounds like a new standard to me.

[hyperv6]

I want to make a comparison.

1998 Cadillac Seville

300 hp

295 lb-ft torque

Wheelbase: 112.2 inches

Length: 201 inches

Width: 75 inches

Height: 55.4 inches

Weight 4001 lbs

XTS:

300 hp

264 lb-ft torque

Wheelbase: 111.7 inches

Length: 202 inches

Width: 72.9 inches

Height: 59.1 inches

Weight ??? lbs

14 years later we have a taller, narrower Seville with less torque. How exciting.

You tend to forget that the XTS we see now is only the start. We are getting the Haldex AWD system which is world class as well as more power and even an advanced hybrid system, there is more to come.

[hyperv6]

City cars will become popular be cause of population boom in urban areas. China and India combined have about 2.5 billion people, I'd want a car I can sell to those markets and to the cities that have populations of 10 or 20 million people.

They are more an necessary evil to sell cars in Europe and America. To meet future standards the line up many of these compomanies are not going to meet Emission And Fuel standards. They are now planting the seeds to classes of small cars we would never have seen unless they were forced to it. Companies like VW and GM have options but companies like Aston and Jag have no options and are running scared. So far the Aston has sold well but when the novalty has worn off where will they turn.

The Luxury and Truck markets will show the great changes in the next 12-15 years. Greater than we have seen in the past. Lets just hope Cadillac does better than they did in the past.

As we know now the STS was a nice car but most could not see spending more money on a car that for the most was just a large CTS. The next CTS will change as with the ATS it will lose sales to it.

Diversity at Cadillac is needed as they can not just live on 3-4 expanded and shrunk sized CTS cars.

I think you will find this car to be more advanced, quiet and with the best ride vs handling of any Cadillac in history.

The fact remains with the last few generations not all cars have to be overly large RWD or V8 to sell in this class. There is a large segment of buyers that have been found and this is the car for them.

I still think since they have hinted at a V we will see a Haldex AWD with well over 400 HP. Combined with the Magnaride and larger tires and ceramic brakes this could prove to be an interesting car after all.

[smk4565]

What does CUE do that MMI, COMMAND, iDrive and MyLincoln touch don't do? And reconfigurable instrument cluster is nice to suit needs of different drivers, but it has been done before, and I still prefer real gauges to a screen.

[FAPTurbo]

What does CUE do that MMI, COMMAND, iDrive and MyLincoln touch don't do? And reconfigurable instrument cluster is nice to suit needs of different drivers, but it has been done before, and I still prefer real gauges to a screen.

Not cause the driver to smash into a power pole trying to figure out how to switch XM stations.

You can keep rationalizing all you want but this car is quite ahead of the competition. Maybe it won't be ahead of a BMW 5 on the Nurburgring, but it'll be so much more pleasant.

[smk4565]

What does CUE do that MMI, COMMAND, iDrive and MyLincoln touch don't do? And reconfigurable instrument cluster is nice to suit needs of different drivers, but it has been done before, and I still prefer real gauges to a screen.

Not cause the driver to smash into a power pole trying to figure out how to switch XM stations.

You can keep rationalizing all you want but this car is quite ahead of the competition. Maybe it won't be ahead of a BMW 5 on the Nurburgring, but it'll be so much more pleasant.

Many of the other luxury cars with driver interface systems either have secondary controls or voice command. And I don't see many German sedans wrapped around power poles. So that doesn't really answer my question as to what CUE does, that MMI/COMMAND/iDrive/MyFordTouch don't already do.

[FAPTurbo]

It does everything they do. But better, and in a more integrated fashion. It's the Apple iOS of the industry... its competitors are Windows ME by comparison.

[ocnblu]

Is there a video demonstration of Cadillac's system somebody can post here, or link to?

[Camino LS6]

The new Cadillac XTS - the luxury car for gadget geeks and grey hairs!

Sorry guys, couldn't resist.