General Motors has given the large Cadillac XTS sedan the green light. The car will launch next year as a 2012 model. What's the big deal? After all, this car has barely been under covers since GM emerged from bankruptcy last summer as the all-wheel-drive large sedan, based on the front-drive "Super Epsilon" platform, culminating in a "concept" reveal last January at the Detroit show.
While such projects might seem natural for production to those outside the company, especially considering the age of the DTS and STS this model will replace, corporate approval always is much more arcane and conservative. While a source says GM has given the big Caddy a stamp of approval, there are probably a few more formal approvals to occur before Cadillac confirms it officially.
Designers are working on a production car that looks very much like the XTS Platinum concept, inside and out. And GM accountants are said to be working on assuring that the XTS Platinum concept's Audi-like interior makes it to production virtually unedited.
As this car was being approved, GM was pulling the plug on its handsome Cadillac Converj project. The reason? GM is unsure there's enough demand for extended-range electrics to support the Converj as well as the Chevrolet Volt and the Chevy's European twin, the Opel Ampera. Even with a sticker some $15,000 north of the Volt's, the Converj simply didn't pencil out.
Cadillac instead figures there's profit and green image to be had in the plug-in XTS, which would combine the 3.6-liter gas direct-injection V-6 with the plug-in system originally developed for the Saturn Vue. We also hear of a twin-turbo 3.6 in the works. However, to compete with large German sedans like the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8 in this category and establish the right image, Cadillac may have to shoehorn a small-block V-8 transversely under the hood. On the other hand, Cadillac could become a bold leader in engine downsizing and offer the XTS only with V-6s.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
