Update: Our spy shooters have nabbed several great new pictures of the XTS, including an interior shot, so we�ve updated the story below. Additionally, this article previously ran with a few shots of another future Caddy in the mix. Those pictures are of the smaller ATS; fresh images of that car are here.
We�ve known for some time that Cadillac is working on a smaller rear-wheel-drive car to battle the BMW 3-series, likely to be called ATS. Other intel has recently uncovered plans to crown the brand�s range with something big.
Big Cars Can Beget Big Sales
The car seen here isn�t the latter model, but it is big. Previewed by a concept of the same name and seen here lightly camo�d, the XTS is a large, front-wheel-drive sedan that�s set to replace the aging STS and for-the-aged DTS. Yeah, we had relegated those cars to the back of our minds, too, but as irrelevant as they may seem, Cadillac still needs a bigger-than-CTS sedan; together, the STS and DTS still make up a decent chunk of Cadillac�s U.S. sales�about 16 percent in 2010. That, and the Chinese market will eat this thing up. (We�ve heard some rumors that the name may be changed to ETS for production, so don�t be too surprised if that happens.)
The Buick LaCrosse will lend a hand�or, more precisely, a platform�sharing its Epsilon II underpinnings. The XTS is likely to be the longest Epsilon-based car, quite possibly outdoing the LaCrosse�s 197.0-inch stem-to-stern measurement. The 3.6-liter, direct-injection V-6 that�s also used in the CTS will be the only engine at first. Later, Cadillac will add a hybrid version, possibly a plug-in, using the front-drive two-mode system briefly offered on the Saturn Vue. A smaller, less powerful V-6 and a turbocharged six making well over 300 hp also are possibilities for the future, as is the addition of all-wheel drive.
Concept Shape Retained, Interior Shaping Up Nicely
As far as extra-stretched Buicks go, the XTS looks pretty good. At least covered in camo, this mule looks a lot less ungainly (more gainly?) than the XTS Platinum concept. The greenhouse shape is similar to that of the concept; a skillful tape artist has obfuscated the detail, but it�s pretty clear that the backlight�s angle has been preserved, draping back over the trunk and likely hiding the cargo compartment�s bigness. Under the front camouflage, it appears this mule is wearing a spiffier grille that�s very similar to the concept, complete with a single section of the egg crate appearing on its chin.
While the concept�s proportions may not have been graceful, its interior was, and we�re delighted to see a center stack in these spy photos that looks a lot like the concept�s. Note the lack of physical buttons and switches, meaning this brightly-trimmed interface is going touch-sensitive like Lincoln�s controversial MyLincoln Touch. On that large central screen, we�re expecting to see a version of GM�s recently announced, MyLink infotainment system. Hopefully it will be accompanied by a few unique features for this big, not-a-flagship sedan.
As to when we might see the results and what�s wrapped around the new cabin, we expect the car to show up within the year. The �where� is a little more tricky; Cadillac may decide to unveil it at a Chinese auto show or one on our turf. We�ll let you know when it happens.
We�ve known for some time that Cadillac is working on a smaller rear-wheel-drive car to battle the BMW 3-series, likely to be called ATS. Other intel has recently uncovered plans to crown the brand�s range with something big.
Big Cars Can Beget Big Sales
The car seen here isn�t the latter model, but it is big. Previewed by a concept of the same name and seen here lightly camo�d, the XTS is a large, front-wheel-drive sedan that�s set to replace the aging STS and for-the-aged DTS. Yeah, we had relegated those cars to the back of our minds, too, but as irrelevant as they may seem, Cadillac still needs a bigger-than-CTS sedan; together, the STS and DTS still make up a decent chunk of Cadillac�s U.S. sales�about 16 percent in 2010. That, and the Chinese market will eat this thing up. (We�ve heard some rumors that the name may be changed to ETS for production, so don�t be too surprised if that happens.)
The Buick LaCrosse will lend a hand�or, more precisely, a platform�sharing its Epsilon II underpinnings. The XTS is likely to be the longest Epsilon-based car, quite possibly outdoing the LaCrosse�s 197.0-inch stem-to-stern measurement. The 3.6-liter, direct-injection V-6 that�s also used in the CTS will be the only engine at first. Later, Cadillac will add a hybrid version, possibly a plug-in, using the front-drive two-mode system briefly offered on the Saturn Vue. A smaller, less powerful V-6 and a turbocharged six making well over 300 hp also are possibilities for the future, as is the addition of all-wheel drive.
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As far as extra-stretched Buicks go, the XTS looks pretty good. At least covered in camo, this mule looks a lot less ungainly (more gainly?) than the XTS Platinum concept. The greenhouse shape is similar to that of the concept; a skillful tape artist has obfuscated the detail, but it�s pretty clear that the backlight�s angle has been preserved, draping back over the trunk and likely hiding the cargo compartment�s bigness. Under the front camouflage, it appears this mule is wearing a spiffier grille that�s very similar to the concept, complete with a single section of the egg crate appearing on its chin.
While the concept�s proportions may not have been graceful, its interior was, and we�re delighted to see a center stack in these spy photos that looks a lot like the concept�s. Note the lack of physical buttons and switches, meaning this brightly-trimmed interface is going touch-sensitive like Lincoln�s controversial MyLincoln Touch. On that large central screen, we�re expecting to see a version of GM�s recently announced, MyLink infotainment system. Hopefully it will be accompanied by a few unique features for this big, not-a-flagship sedan.
As to when we might see the results and what�s wrapped around the new cabin, we expect the car to show up within the year. The �where� is a little more tricky; Cadillac may decide to unveil it at a Chinese auto show or one on our turf. We�ll let you know when it happens.
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