Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept Premiered at 2010 NAIAS

The General Motors display at the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit was less robust than in past years. GM only recently emerged from bankruptcy and needed to sell off and discontinue some of its subsidiaries to stay afloat. The leaner automaker is hoping that Cadillac, Buick, GMC and Chevrolet can evolve into leaders in innovative auto technology over the next decade. Cadillac led the way for GM at the 2010 NAIAS with its XTS Platinum Concept plug-in hybrid sedan. The XTS Platinum plug-in hybrid builds on features already used in the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and the Escalade Platinum Hybrid.

The Cadillac XTS Platinum is powered by a 3.6-liter direct injection engine and a 260kW electric motor. Cadillac stated during its NAIAS presentation that the XTS Platinum’s battery pack could be recharged within five hours. The XTS Platinum can travel for short distances on all-electrical power thanks to a plug-in charging system, which is an improvement compared to past hybrid concepts.

As the XTS Platinum was developed, Cadillac was equally concerned with hybrid power and vehicle handling. The Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) system in the XTS Platinum uses magnetic rather than mechanical shocks to facilitate better handling. Each wheel features a sensor that analyzes road conditions by the millisecond to anticipate bumps and pot holes. Cadillac installed its StabiliTrak system and four-wheel disc brakes in the XTS Platinum. The StabiliTrak system uses sensor information from all four wheels to apply the right amount of pressure on the brakes during turns and lane shifts.

Cadillac also remains concerned about the aesthetics of its vehicles even as it delves into the hybrid market. The XTS Platinum Concept is a luxury car but it uses similar interiors and features as the popular Escalade SUV. This concept hybrid eschews traditional meters and displays in favor of a touch-screen display on a sleek dashboard. Cadillac was quick to point out that the XTS Platinum will remain a concept with elements to be used throughout the GM family of vehicles. It is difficult to judge the XTS Platinum concept at this point given the uncertain future of GM and its subsidiaries. The Big Three of American automakers has been slow to evolve past “light” hybrids and need to get real hybrids on the market in order to stay competitive over the next decade.

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Nick Katers is a freelance writer based out of Milwaukee, WI. He has written business profiles for TrenchMice and interviewed entrepreneurs and leaders for The Internationalist Magazine. Katers holds a Masters in American History ...