The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept is the next expression of Cadillac’s Art and Science Philosophy demonstrated in a premium luxury sedan.  In the XTS Platinum Concept Reveal Cadillac said this about the XTS Concept:

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.

2010 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept.

In the following email interview Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept Interior Designer Christine Park was kind enough to respond to our questions about the XTS Platinum Concept.  Many of her responses focused on the Concept nature of the XTS Platinum Concept.   The Concept has been well received at the Auto Shows around the country so far, and in the Automotive Press.   As good as it looks, hopefully the Cadillac XTS is on its way to production quickly with substantially the current interior design.

Christine Park of General Motors Design

The XTS Platinum Concept has received some rave reviews for its design so far.  Do you foresee the concept design being fully carried over to the production version, or will there be some changes?

“Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept is a concept vehicle, a design study moving Art and Science philosophy ahead, driven by style and technology.  It suggests a new way to approach an elegant car of this scale.”

Outside of broad terms like modern and elegance, was there anything you felt the XTS required to be part of the Cadillac brand?  Was there anything you felt required to include in the XTS design that is shared by other Cadillac models?

“Everything we do in Cadillac Design is intended to push the brand forward – both ideas for the future and production content. XTS shows the evolution of Art & Science-combination of ultimate artistic expression and highest level of technology, which is the theme driving all aspects of Cadillac.

Art and Science philosophy is taken to the next level in the Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept. We pushed the artistic side to the fullest, resulting in a beautifully sculpted exterior body surface and elegantly crafted interior environment. And science allowed us to create unique details and features; laser etching and programmable perforations in the interior, unique display screen technology, vertical lighting in the exterior, etc. Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept is a study showcasing the evolution of Cadillac’s Art and Science philosophy.”

Will the XTS use the 4th generation Haldex AWD system as standard equipment or as an available option?

“What we have is a concept – it’s not a production car. So we’re still working on these kinds of things.  We call this system advanced AWD, it debuted for Cadillac on the 2010 SRX Crossover. We do think that AWD will continue to be important for luxury consumers.”

Are other engine options besides the hybrid 3.6L planned?

“Again, Cadillac XTS Platinum is a design study suggesting our thinking, rather than a production car introduction.  We are interested in the plug-in hybrid in general. In the concept it showcases how we believe that luxury cars of this type of size and scale will depart from tradition. Traditionally, you would see larger engines often on a car in this range. All over this concept we have technological elements that suggest a bit of a new formula going forward.  Normally Cadillac does offer engine choices in production – so one could expect that to be the case in the future, especially.”

Will there eventually be an XTS-V series?

‘Probably not. What Bryan Nesbitt talked about when we introduced the XTS in Detroit was that we have two important pillars for Cadillac – V-Series on the high-performance end, and Platinum showcasing the full extent of luxury. We’ll apply either of these according to the natural consumer desire in a particular segment.  CTS is a sport sedan, so the V-Series is a natural.  Escalade is mainly about luxury, so Platinum is a natural.  A car the size/scale of the XTS is about luxury and technology inside the car – that’s why it’s a Platinum.  This concept  was somewhat of an inside-out car – it’s about the space, luxury and tech that the occupants experience. We wanted to explore that in a new way – that’s what this car is about.”

2010 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept.

Which cars do you believe will compete most with the XTS?

‘While XTS is a concept right now, we obviously look at the top tier luxury sedans – Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, etc.”

The CTS team had a blog that shared their insights during ongoing development. Will there be anything like that for the XTS?

“Maybe. We do try and share some of the behind-the-scenes elements.”

What was your biggest challenge, professionally or personally, in designing the XTS?

“Overall, the biggest challenge in designing any vehicle is predicting the market and how the car will be received. As designers we are trained to be Visionaries and understand our customer’s needs and desires. Most of the times it is a hit, but sometimes it can be a miss. Clearly, with the enormous amount of positive feedback the car has received, Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept is a success. It is very rewarding to be part of Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept design.”

What’s around the bend for you as a designer? Are you presently working on other concept vehicles for Cadillac?

“All I can disclose is that I am working on Cadillac vehicles and I am extremely excited to be part of the brand. There is a great, unstoppable momentum in Cadillac Design – stay tuned for more amazing products.”

Thank you to Writer Jane Devin for suggesting and collaborating on this post.  Jane has been writing about cultural & social issues for several years. She presently blogs at Finding My America, where she chronicles her experiences as a Writer on the road, as well as on The Huffington Post.  She can be reached by email at jane@janedevin.com. You can also find her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.