Cadillac Design Director Clay Dean introduced the new Cadillac XTS Concept car at the recent North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Here is the video, and following the video is the spoken transcript:
The XTS is the next expression of Cadillac’s Art and Science Philosophy demonstrated in a premium luxury sedan.
It’s about artfully exceeding the Customer’s daily needs, while updating the genre for a modern sensibility. Understanding those needs led us to design the XTS from the inside out. What we are suggesting is a personal headquarters. An exquisitely crafted, spacious environment that provides gracious comfort and amenities for all passengers. Generous head, hip, and leg room are provided in both the front and rear compartments, so there is no need to apologize for your guests in the back seat. They even get their own self-rising infotainment screens, and their own connectivity options.
The prevailing light creme color interior adds to the overall feeling of spaciousness and is contrasted with darker, richer element such as the steering wheel, the IP (instrument panel), the full length overhead console, and the center console.
The Platinum designation means that every detail was attended to with hand crafted perfection. Intricate layers of rich materials build on each other throughout the cabin, interacting in a precise manner for enhanced overall effect. Laser etched suedes and aniline leathers, satin metals, and burled birch wood — they all work together in a beautiful harmony.
[Aniline leathers are leathers treated with aniline, (an organic chemical) resulting in delicate, soft, supple leather]
We have also imagined a new way of interacting with the information control systems of the vehicle. It’s a visionary interface that uses touch screens that are intuitive, and that are pleasing to use while embracing the latest technology. A twelve inch organic LED screen (OLED) is reconfigurable, projecting driver information and state of the art graphics.
[This has a lot of interesting possibilities for bringing out additional information to the Driver. Terrific flexibility in display]
XTS Platinum even acknowledges your arrival by illuminating the door handles with pools of light at the doors when you get into close proximity of the car, reinforcing the signature Cadillac light technology and instrumentation.
The exterior design reflects the evolution of Cadillac’s form and surface philosophy, with more emphasis put on the Art side of Art & Science, with graceful flowing forms and surfaces. Its sleek and elegant, with our attention turned to form and shape working in concert with line and edge. And we see that in the overall profile of the car, which really provides a feeling of spaciousness with a contemporary but progressive flow. The body side is also flowing and elegant, and even a little bit sensual, and it is all designed to evolve Cadillac’s form language and to appeal to the Premium Customer.
[Some pundits would like to see a longer hood. I was expecting a longer wheelbase]
The familiar shield grill and the vertical light signatures in both the front and rear which are key elements to Cadillac’s identity are apparent on the XTS. The large, 20″ wheels, and long wheelbase, and wide track all help to evoke spaciousness, stability, and build a strong presence, reinforcing this evolved form language for the next generation of Cadillac. At the same time, XTS challenges the notion of traditional luxury by suggesting a replacement for the large displacement power-train: a plug-in, two-mode hybrid V6.
[This power train is basically available NOW, so bringing it to market in 2 years seems quite believable. Cadillac has not confirmed production or a production date for the XTS but it is expected to go into production in 2012 as a 2013 model. A hybrid version may or may not be available then.]
And All wheel drive makes the XTS name very appropriate.
[Technically, no. BMW and others use X to indicate AWD; previously Cadillac had used X to suggest eXperimental, as in XLS, for Experimental Luxury Roadster, a car never made in AWD form]
The XTS Platinum Concept represents our desire to deliver unexpected innovation in the most artful expressions possible.
