2013 Cadillac XTS

Futurecars August 20, 2012

There is no doubt about its identity: the new 2013 Cadillac XTS clearly belongs to the luxury family. With its angular lines, dramatic highlights and grille, it is recognized from afar. This time, the codename is XTS and just like its friends, it continues to honor the famous expression “It’s a Cadillac! ”

The 2013 Cadillac XTS is the most technically advanced car in the history of the brand. Comfort, luxury and technology characterize the 2013 Cadillac XTS well, which also reflects the design philosophy of “Art and Science”.

First, it is difficult to deny that the 2013 Cadillac XTS is from the Cadillac family. With its imposing chrome grille where reigns the large company logo, rear lights that seem to be cut by a knife, the many small details here and there and the imposing presence that the car has on the road, yes, it truly has the Cadillac DNA . Although easily recognizable, at Cadillac it is the beginning of new proportions. The XTS is bigger than the CTS sedan, but also bigger than comparable ones on the market.

I love the door handles that light up at night, which is very elegant and beautiful as well as the standard 19-inch wheels. My downside in terms of outward appearance is rather a detail in the body design. Since the wheel arch on the rear is lower than the front, the eye has the impression that the front is smaller, which seems strange. But one has to notice it … Also, the ground clearance is not high, it may sometimes scrape sidewalks.

Since the 2013 Cadillac XTS is quite large, the interior offers plenty of space, even in the rear. And what about the trunk? It is huge with 18 cubic feet! Loyal to the brand, the interior is luxurious, elegant and comfortable and the materials used are of superior quality. Every detail has been carefully thought out. I love the wood mixed with other types of fillings, which adorn the entire dashboard, center console, steering wheel and interior doors. The CUE interface is very well integrated as well as storage compartments in sufficient quantity.

The comfortable leather-trimmed seats are heated and ventilated. The driver’s seat is also host to a security system. In fact, it has a tactile warning system that alerts the driver through vibrations on the sides of the seat when the sensors or cameras integrated into the car detects a potential hazard. Based on GM studies, a tactile warning would be more effective than an audible warning. This option includes Forward Collision Warning and rear transverse, lane departure warning and the lateral obstacle sensor systems. The first vibrations can surprise , but it is actually very effective as a warning. The adaptive cruise control is also available, as well as short and long range radars and automatic braking system.

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You can not introduce the 2013 Cadillac XTS without mentioning the famous CUE (Cadillac User Experience) interface. Technologically advanced, the heart of this system is the eight-inch touch screen enthroned in the center of the dashboard. To understand what it is, its use is similar to an iPhone. Icons such as Telephone, Temperature, Audio or OnStar (standard on both versions) are on the home page and can be moved as desired. Then, the display is also provided with a proximity sensor. To the approach of the hand, other icons appear. This is a first in the industry. The beauty of it is that everything is touch, so it requires very few buttons. There are sometimes a few delays, but its use is nice.

Found under the hood is a powertrain consisting of a 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection that some recognize by the name LFX, coupled to a six-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission with manual shift mode. In total, this is 304 hp and a torque of 264 ft-lb. Although the 2013 Cadillac XTS has more than 300 hp., it is a heavy vehicle that is not as powerful as you might imagine. Customers targeted by this car are not, in any way, racing enthusiasts. The 2013 Cadillac XTS will be the only luxury sedan to be fitted with standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension, air suspension at the rear, and Brembo high-performance brakes. A system called smart Haldex all-wheel drive is also offered on all versions: Luxury, Premium and Platinum.

The 2013 Cadillac XTS will be built in Canada (Oshawa, Ontario), where General Motors has invested more than $ 100 million at its assembly plant.