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Cadillac unveiled a concept of its new STS/DTS replacement, called XTS, at the Detroit auto show this past January, and the large luxury sedan has reportedly been given the green light for production.
Although we’ve known about the XTS for some time, this is the first we’ve heard of it being a go for production. An inside source told Motor Trend that the car has been confirmed, but it likely still has a few levels of management to go through before being officially confirmed by Cadillac.
The big news for the car comes in that designers are working on a production car that looks very similar to the XTS Platinum concept for production. The last Cadillac concept — the CTS Coupe — made its way into production virtually unchanged from concept form. We’re hoping the same really does apply to the XTS. Additionally, the inside source at GM who confirmed production of the XTS told Motor Trend that GM’s accountants are working to ensure the XTS concept’s stellar interior makes it to production as well.
It seems as though the exterior and interior styling of the big XTS concept won’t be the only things to carry over, as a hybrid version of the XTS is also rumored to be going into production. The XTS concept in Detroit uses a direct-injection V-6 coupled to GM’s 2-Mode hybrid system from the stillborn 2-Mode Saturn Vue to produce something around 350 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The production XTS is said to also get the plug-in hybrid system developed, once again, for the Saturn Vue. A twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 is said to be in the works for the XTS in order to truly compete with the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class — all of which offer V-8 power. This could make Cadillac the leader in engine downsizing, or lead the company to later shoehorn a small-block V-8 into the XTS.
When asked for comment, Cadillac spokesman Nick Twork said that the information is purely speculative and the Cadillac XTS has not been officially confirmed for production despite the reported inside information.
Unfortunately, as news of the XTS’ production intent comes out, GM officially confirmed that the Cadillac Converj has been killed. The Converj was the Chevy Volt’s sexy two-door cousin, based off the same Voltec extended-range electric vehicle platform. It seems GM couldn’t make the business case for the coupe even with what likely would have been a $15,000 premium over the Chevrolet Volt.
Source: Motor Trend
I’m concerned about the v6 engine…I don’t understand why giving up the northstar would make this car better….The trunk space is another concern of mine….I don’t have a good feeling about this car and it just feels like a striped down version…I’m keeping my dts for a while longer…I’m beginning to feel a bit betrayed …..Really disappointed…..
I could agree more with Dick Brown. I’ve a 2009 STS, but with a V6 as finding one with a V8 was impossible. Forget the 6!! I, too, hope the new XTS will be V-8 equipped.
I am going to replace my 2006 DTS with a 2012 cadillac. But I don,t know what I can get to give me what the DTS has. I love this car and do not want to down size very much.
I like this Caddy and yes it needs some power under the hood. The twin turbo v6 sounds interesting. However, a small V8 AKA a newer northstar would work too. My only concerns is if it can compete on the level of a Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class with a front driver. Yeah they don’t tell you that it is the same platform as the future Impala and a future undisclosed Buick. So we are left wondering what the ultimate plan would be.
I will buy the XTS, if and only if it has the Northstar V-8 engine. I have tried the v-6 in the cts and did not like it. The Northstar V-8 performs better and gets better gas mileage than the v-6, if you can believe it.
I have always owned Cadillacs and hope to continue. It is left to management for me to stay. I still own a 1997 Eldorado in mint condition and will keep it. Big mistake for Cadillac to exclude the Eldorado from production. The cts coupe just doesn’t cut it. You get a monster v-8 or a whimpie v-6 and neither get great gas milage, plus the body style of the Eldorado is for superior ver the cts coupe!!