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Cadillac
Unveils
The XTS
Platinum
Concept
●
A new
study
re-imagining
the
luxury
sedan,
showcasing
the
progression
of the
Cadillac
Art and
Science
philosophy
●
Designed
from the
inside
out,
featuring
a new
concept
for the
interface
between
the
driver
and the
auto
electronics
●
Plug-in
hybrid
system
is
matched
with a
3.6L V-6
and
all-wheel
drive
for
dynamic
and
efficient
performance
DETROIT
–
Cadillac
unveiled
the XTS
Platinum
Concept
at the
2010
North
American
International
Auto
Show,
suggesting
a new
paradigm
for the
luxury
sedan of
the
future.
The
concept
showcases
Cadillac’s
emerging
top-of-the-line
Platinum
series
of
models,
emphasizing
new
expressions
of
luxury
and
technological
features,
including
a
plug-in
hybrid
propulsion
system.
The XTS
Platinum
Concept
was
designed
from the
inside
out,
re-imagining
the
luxury
sedan as
a
personal
headquarters,
built
for
efficiency,
luxury
and
connectivity.
The
concept
introduces
a new
approach
to
in-car
electronics
that
improves
the form
and
function
of the
car’s
entertainment,
navigation
and
information
systems.
“The XTS
Platinum
concept
is the
next
expression
of
Cadillac’s
Art and
Science
execution
philosophy,
reflecting
our
drive to
deliver
the
latest
innovations
in the
most
artful
manner,”
said
Bryan
Nesbitt,
Cadillac
general
manager.
“We
envisioned
this
concept
as an
automotive
personal
headquarters,
using
advanced
technology
to
enable
new
levels
of
connectivity
and
luxury.”
The XTS
Platinum
Concept
uses
Cadillac’s
3.6L V-6
Direct
Injection
gas
engine,
paired
with a
plug-in
hybrid
system.
The
plug-in
technology
enables
the
battery
to fully
charge
from a
standard
electrical
outlet,
enabling
pure
electric
propulsion
in many
driving
situations,
especially
urban
commutes
in which
fuel
efficiency
may
double
that of
a
conventional
hybrid.
Traditional
luxury
sedans
were
defined
by
elegant
interiors
and
Cadillac’s
XTS
Platinum
Concept
propels
that
formula
into the
future.
It
delivers
new
approaches
to
luxury
within a
design
that
combines
fine
craftsmanship
with
customer-driven
innovation.
Like the
current
Platinum
Edition
products,
such as
Escalade
Platinum
and the
STS and
DTS
Platinum
sedans,
the
interior
is based
on hand
cut-and-sewn
materials.
The XTS
Platinum
Concept
injects
more
contemporary
forms
and
themes
into the
interior
design,
including
the use
of
Organic
Light-Emitting
Diode
(O-LED)
displays
in place
of
traditional
gauges
and
screens.
The
concept
previews
a new
integration
philosophy
guiding
the
development
of
future
models
with
respect
to
in-car
electronics.
The
intent
is to
progress
Cadillac’s
intuitive
in-car
electronics
systems,
typified
by the
deployable
touch-screen
navigation
system
that has
been
highly
acclaimed
in the
brand’s
CTS and
SRX
product
lines.
The XTS
Platinum
Concept
previews
this
strategy
via the
minimization
of
traditional
buttons
and
switches.
Designers
blended
the
display
screens
into a
flowing
instrument
panel.
They
call it
a “dead
front”
design,
because
the
panels
appear
black
until
the car
is
turned
on and
the
screens
illuminate.
The
instrument
panel
itself
reflects
the XTS
Platinum’s
other
focus –
uncompromising
luxury
and
attention
to
detail
on the
interior.
“The
Platinum
distinction
in
Cadillac
means
the
fullest
extent
of
luxury
and
technology
and
we’ve
tried to
reach
even
further
with
this
concept,”
said
Clay
Dean,
Cadillac
design
director.
“Just as
the
technology
pushes
the
boundaries
of what
a
Cadillac
can
offer,
so do
the
details
that
make the
XTS
Platinum
Concept
an
uncompromising
experience.”
The
interior
takes
inspiration
from
nature,
specifically
the
intricate
layers
of
petals
that
combine
to form
an
orchid.
Cadillac
designers
translated
that
into a
layered
and
detailed
interior.
Light
cream is
the
cabin’s
primary
color
and is
contrasted
with
darker
elements,
such as
the
steering
wheel
and an
overhead
console
motif
that
runs the
length
of
interior’s
roof.
The
console
is made
of a
richly
finished
wood and
houses
lighting
features.
Premium
leather
seats
include
a new
style of
automotive
suede,
with a
laser-etched
pattern.
The
patterned
material
adorns
the
center
sections
of the
seats
and
accents
the door
trim.
Thoughtfully
detailed
stitching
is used
throughout
the
interior,
including
the
seats,
instrument
panel
and door
panels.
Passengers
in the
spacious
rear
compartment
of the
XTS
Platinum
Concept
also
have
access
to the
car’s
connectivity
feature,
along
with a
range of
infotainment
choices.
“We
never
lost
sight of
the fact
that a
large
luxury
sedan
needs to
be
spacious
and
accommodating,”
said
Dean.
“Passengers
will
find
generous
headroom,
legroom
and knee
space,
along
with the
technology
elements
that
make the
drive
more
productive.”
A new
proportion
The XTS
Platinum
Concept
has a
distinctive
proportion
that
transcends
the
traditional
aesthetic
of
luxury
sedans
and
carries
the
brand’s
Art and
Science
design
in a
more
progressive
manner.
The
unique
proportion
supports
the
“inside
out”
design
priority,
while
creating
a sleek
profile
that
complements
the
car’s
advanced
technology
elements
and
necessary
aerodynamics.
“The XTS
Platinum
Concept
design
artfully
conveys
its
focus on
functionality
through
technology,”
said
Dean.
“It is
the
antithesis
of the
conventional
three-box
sedan,
suggesting
the
active
evolution
of
Cadillac’s
design
language.”
A
sweeping
profile
culminates
in a
short,
high
deck lid
that
meets
the XTS
Platinum
Concept’s
aerodynamic
needs –
including
a rear
spoiler
mounted
on the
deck
lid,
incorporating
the
center
high-mounted
stop
lamp. A
high,
sloping
beltline
gestures
the
vehicle
forward,
suggesting
motion,
while
the
fenders
flare
outward
wrapping
tightly
around
20-inch
wheels
and
tires.
The
wheel-to-body
proportion
was
carefully
tailored
to
visually
communicate
the
car’s
all-wheel-drive
chassis.
Like the
interior,
the
exterior
elements
are
precisely
tailored
and
elegantly
detailed.
Brushed
billet
aluminum
trim is
used
selectively
and the
20-inch,
11-spoke
wheels
feature
a
brushed
aluminum
face
accented
with
bright
inserts
within
the
spokes.
The
wheels
are
wrapped
with
special
Bridgestone
tires
that
were
created
specifically
for the
XTS
Platinum
Concept.
Signature
elements
essential
to
Cadillac’s
Art and
Science
design
language
include
vertical
headlamp
and
taillamps,
with
integrated
light
pipes
and
richly
detailed
lighting
components.
The
headlamps
feature
light-emitting
diode
technology
for
bright
illumination
that
requires
less
energy,
as well
as
Cadillac’s
Adaptive
Forward
Lighting
technology,
which
turns
the
headlamps
with the
direction
of the
front
wheels
for
greater
visibility
in
turns.
Purposeful
and
efficient
performance
The XTS
Platinum
concept’s
plug-in
hybrid
electric
propulsion
system (PHEV)
builds
on the
experience
Cadillac
has
gained
with the
Escalade
Hybrid
and
Escalade
Platinum
Hybrid
flagship
models.
The
plug-in
capability
boosts
the
car’s
electric-only
driving
capability,
offering
additional
battery
energy
capacity
and
enabling
it to
recharge
from a
standard
external
electrical
outlet.
The key
benefit
of
external
plug-in
recharging
is that
in many
situations
– such
as
overnight
parking
– the
battery
can
fully
recharge
in
roughly
five
hours
while
the car
is not
in use.
The
plug-in
system
operates
at
maximum
efficiency
when
operating
on power
the
battery
has
drawn
from the
electric
grid. In
some
conditions,
such as
urban
commutes,
drivers
can
experience
efficiency
that
doubles
that of
conventional
hybrids.
At
higher
speeds
or when
conditions
demand
it, such
as brisk
acceleration,
a
combination
of
engine
power
and
electric
power or
engine
power
only,
propels
the
vehicle.
The
combination
of the
Direct
Injection
V-6
engine
and the
PHEV
system
featuring
fully
electric
variable
drive
provides
a
spirited
driving
experience.
The
system
provides
an
estimated
350
horsepower
(260 kW)
and 295
lb.-ft.
of
torque
(400
Nm).
Magnetic
Ride
Control
(MRC)
enables
the XTS
Platinum
Concept
to
deliver
superior
road-holding
performance
while
maintaining
luxury
car
composure
in
“regular”
driving
conditions.
It uses
shocks
controlled
by
advanced
magneto-rheological
technology,
rather
than
mechanical
valves,
to
greatly
accelerate
response
time and
precision.
MRC uses
electronic
sensors
at all
four
wheels
to
literally
“read
the
road”
every
millisecond,
making
constant
adjustments
to
damping
to
create
virtually
instantaneous
and
extremely
precise
control
of body
motions.
An
advanced,
specially
calibrated
all-wheel-drive
system
ensures
optimal
traction
in wet
and
slippery
conditions,
and
helps
deliver
maximum
traction
while
cornering.
Four-wheel
disc
brakes,
with
four-channel
ABS,
StabiliTrak
stability
control
and
full-function
traction
control
complete
the
drivetrain
details.
“The XTS
Platinum
Concept
was
designed
to
deliver
an
engaging
driving
experience
without
compromising
the
functional
features,
space
and
comfort
customers
seek in
a luxury
car,”
said
Nesbitt.
“It is a
new
vision
of
luxury
that
uses
advanced
technology
to
deliver
functionality
efficiently
and
rewardingly.”
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