General Motors has unveiled its latest Cadillac XTS flagship at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The XTS will slot above the CTS in the Cadillac lineup, filling the role of the now departed DTS.
The road-going version of the XTS remains true to its concept counterpart, sporting Cadillac ’s latest interpretation of its ‘Art & Science’ design language. The XTS is highlighted by its bold egg-crate grille and vertical taillights.
Inside the XTS places a heavy emphasis on technology and design, including the luxury division’s new Cadillac User Experience, or CUE for short. The CUE system includes an eight-inch screen in the center stack, a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge cluster and a unique touchscreen interface that mimics today’s tablets.
Other technologies available on the XTS include Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control and a color Head-up display.
Power for the XTS is provided by a direct-injection 3.6L V6 delivering 300 horsepower. Shifting duties are handled by a six-speed automatic, which routes power to all four wheels via a Haldex all-wheel-drive system with electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Although the previous DTS was known strictly as a boulevard cruiser, the XTS should be able to hold its own in the corners thanks to GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, a rear air suspension, HiPer Strut front suspension and Brembo brakes. Standard wheels measure 19-inches but 20s are also on offer.
The XTS will go up against cars like the BMW 5-Series , Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 , but the Caddy holds a size advantage over its German rivals — about four inches in the cases of the 5-Series and E-Class and two-inches over the Audi .
The 2013 Cadillac XTS will begin production at GM’s Oshawa, Ontario production plant in spring 2012.
