Traditionally Limo companies have preferred rear wheel drive vehicles as easier to modify for stretch limo service, perhaps for ease of maintenance and repair.

It strikes me that with more reliable models, and reduced maintenance, that perhaps is less of a concern. FWD models also seem easier to stretch conceptually since you don’t need to extend the drive train.

Certainly in terms of handling and performance the XTS is plenty capable.  Starting a Limo or Black Car mod based on a higher end XTS package makes perfect sense — I expect a limo to be all-in.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS luxury sedan includes a W20 package specifically tailored to lift the levels of luxury and technology typically experienced in the livery and professional vehicles industry.

DETROIT – Cadillac is now selling more than nine of 10 all-new XTS models to individual luxury buyers, but the new luxury sedan is also outfitted with a special package that  redefines how fleet and car service operators transport their more than 400 million customers.

With the new W20 Livery Package, Cadillac XTS-based limousines no longer take a back seat to showroom models. The package, which includes elements of the XTS Platinum Edition, is exclusively offered to livery companies through Cadillac’s Professional Vehicles program.

“XTS represents a new approach to luxury, centered on advanced technology and design,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “This same approach extends to Professional Vehicles, where we are bringing a new formula to the livery customer. Every experience in a Cadillac, front seat or rear seat, meets a higher standard for luxury, performance and technology.”

Unlike many of the cars built for the livery and fleet industries in the past, the special XTS model is at the higher-end of the product range, including 19-inch wheels, exterior door handles with LED illumination, safety technology such as a rear vision camera, and a micro-fiber suede headliner included in the XTS Platinum Edition.

An available rear seat comfort package includes heated seats, window sun shades and a power inverter to charge mobile devices. Navigation, offered through Cadillac’s CUE system for connectivity and control, is also available in the W20 Livery Package.

Carey International, the world’s largest livery company, was one of the first companies to sign on, purchasing 150 new Cadillac XTS W20 Professional Services Sedans.

“Our customers wanted approachable luxury and enabling technology,” said Gary Kessler, president and CEO of Carey International. “We chose the XTS as the cornerstone of the Carey brand because it represented the perfect combination of power, luxury, technology and sophistication that our customers desire and demand today.”

Carey conducted extensive research into 24 vehicles before choosing the XTS W20. “In the end, the decision to go with the XTS was a no brainer,” Kessler said.

Cadillac’s Professional Vehicles program includes a select number of coachbuilders authorized by Cadillac to convert vehicles for use in commercial or fleet duties according to a specific set of standards. Click here for more information on this program.

I would be more excited with a special run of 575hp CTS-Vs or a set with the race car wraps, but Cadillac has released some special colors for the 2013 edition of the current generation V’s.  The CTS-V may soldier on for 2014 alongside the new 2014 redesigned CTS, then bow in 2015? We’ll see.

Cadillac CTS Adds Colorful Limited Edition Models

Matte-finished Silver Frost coupe and performance-inspired Stealth Blue editions debut this year

DETROIT – A pair of new performance-inspired, limited-edition models featuring custom paint will join the Cadillac CTS Coupe and V-Series product lines this year.

The Silver Frost Edition will be a special run of 100 CTS-V Coupes featuring a special low-gloss matte paint finish.

The Stealth Blue Edition is a vibrant new color in a more traditional metallic finish and will appear on the CTS Coupe and the high-performance CTS-V in Coupe, Sedan and Wagon body styles.

“Some color hues, such as blues, greys and reds easily identify with performance and velocity,” said Michelle Killen, lead creative designer for exterior paints. “Both Stealth Blue and Silver Frost are very expressive but still true to the luxury and exclusivity that a Cadillac represents, which were driving factors in the creation of the color.”

Silver Frost
The Silver Frost matte paint will be on collector-edition vehicles available through select Cadillac dealers across the country beginning in March.

In addition to the 6.2L supercharged V-8  engine delivering 556 horsepower and 551 lb-ft of torque, the Silver Frost CTS-V will offer optional features such as:

• Yellow or red Brembo brake calipers
• High polished or satin graphite wheels
• Suede-covered steering wheel and shift knob

The desired finish on the Silver Frost CTS-V coupe was achieved by applying a “30-gloss” clear coat to the paint, as opposed to the “80-gloss” found in standard paint finishes. The paint will still emit a low “sparkle” when certain lights reflect off it, but the finish will be distinctly “matte.”

The paint texture will also be noticeably different to the touch as the finish will be slightly less smooth. This is a desirable trait for fans of matte paint finishes. The paint is engineered to be as durable as normal paint but requires special attention for cleaning. The vehicle should be hand washed only.

“We’ve spent a significant amount of time developing these colors so that owners don’t have to deviate too much from their normal maintenance routines yet still have a distinct and dramatic finish to their performance vehicle,” Killen said.

Stealth Blue
The Stealth Blue will have a limited production run starting in March and will be available on the CTS coupe and all CTS-V models. CTS coupe, V coupe and sedan models will also offer an optional “Twilight Blue” leather interior package to go with the blue-grey exterior paint finish.

Stealth Blue CTS models can also be equipped with multiple performance-inspired details such as:

• Satin graphite wheels with silver calipers
• Dark finish grille
• Recaro performance seats

A full list of options and combinations will be available at Cadillac.com and customers will have the ability to order the Stealth Blue option through dealers.

Cadillac sales for December, 2012 were up 12.2% over 2011.   SRX sales sky-rocketed to 6,400 units; it is clearly the holiday favorite.  CTS sales were a respectable to low 3,372 units.  ATS and XTS both came in over 2,900 units.

GM commentary:

• Cadillac posted a double-digit year-over-year sales increase for the third consecutive month.

• Cadillac passenger car sales increased 64 percent year over year as the all-new ATS and XTS continue to establish themselves in the luxury market.

Bruce commentary:  I’d still like to see the ATS at its target of 5K+ units per month but the other vehicle sales look to be on pace.