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World debut of Cadillac XTS Platinum concept at NAIAS

18th of January 2010

The 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit was the host of the official debut of the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept. Rumors claim that the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is meant to preview the replacement of Cadillac DTS full size sedan segment that will hit the market until 2012. Still, officially, Cadillac limited itself to saying that the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept showcases the emerging top of the line Cadillac Platinum series of models.

The Cadillac XTS Platinum concept could be based on a modified version of the Epsilon II platform, considering the wheelbase length of 2837 millimeters which is identical to the one of the new Buick LaCrosse. Still, the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept has a width of 1900 millimeters or 74.8 inches and a length of 5170 millimeters or 203.5 inches, being both wider and longer than the Cadillac LaCrosse.

The Cadillac XTS Platinum concept will get its power from a plug in hybrid electric propulsion system (PHEV) which combines electric motors and a direct injection V6 petrol engine. An estimated total output of 350 horsepower and 400 Nm is sent to an all wheel drive system.

After clearing up all the technical details, let us move on to the styling. First up is the exterior styling.

The exterior styling of the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is a combination between classic and modern. The car wants to have a somewhat sporty appearance and it succeeds at doing just that, but nothing more. A fairly clean design, typical for a Cadillac limousine is present on the XTS Platinum concept too. I think that the car looks too buff, too massive. The front end is clearly distinguishable as it has all the common features of most Cadillac models, including the design of the lights. The rear end of the car wants to give a sleek sort of appearance but the front end practically ruins it. I see the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept as being at a conflict between the massive bulky appearance of a muscle car and the sleek line of the rear end and the roof. You can not have both. To conclude, the exterior styling of the Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is quite ok, but nothing to die for.

The interior styling of the Cadillac XTS Platinum on the other hand is something else. Excepting the dashboard, which is a little too fancy for my taste, the interior of the Cadillac limousine concept seems to be just fabulous. Everything from the chairs and the wheel express a single thing: pure comfort. The feeling of a luxurious limousine is surely present here. Too bad the exterior styling is not as good as the interior of the car.

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