GM debuted a bevy of new vehicles today to reporters and members of the public in Detroit, including the upcoming Cadillac ATS mid-size, the Cadillac XTS full-size, two new Buick sedans, two new Buick crossovers, a Denali edition of the GMC Acadia, and a GMC concept.
The biggest news by far are the new Cadillacs. GM has been going back and forth for months now over its plans for its premium brand, and rumors have continued to swirl about whether or not the sub-CTS car now known as the ATS and the STS/DTS replacement now known as the XTS would ever exist. Today, the rumors have been put to rest and both cars not only exist, but were shown in near-production ready form. Todd Lassa, our man in Detroit, reports that the pair will debut together in the 2011 calendar year, likely as 2012 models.
The XTS was shown in gray and features a short axle-to-dash ratio and a big, wide grille that is described as having a mix of Cadillac Converj and Sixteen concept influences. A steeply raked C-pillar will help give the big sedan a sportier appearance. Overall, it is described as roughly 200 inches long, or about the same size as the Buick Lucerne, and foreshadows the future of Cadillac's "Art and Science" design language.
According to our sources in Detroit, the XTS will ride on a stretched version of GM's latest front-drive-based Epsilon II architecture we'll call Super Epsilon, reportedly being developed by Holden in Australia. The car's design, though, came straight out of Warren, Michigan, with input from both China and the U.K. In the end, though, the car will be built in North America.
The XTS will also come with an AWD option. (The vehicle shown to journalists was badged XTS 4.) Engine options weren't announced, but the most likely candidate is GM's high-feature V-6, found in the CTS and others. In the past, options might have included the successor to GM's Northstar V-8, but so far as we know, that project is still dead. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Motor Trend