XTS Concept is Turning Heads

2010-03-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

It seems that everywhere we go, we're hearing more and more about the Cadillac XTS concept. And it seems that the next thing we hear is always something involving the words "European", as in "The European brands better watch out". Take this blog post for example from AllCarsElectric:

The Cadillac brand has made great strides within the past few years. Several of their vehicles have been awarded based on their performance, efficiency, and design. The European automakers have something to worry about as Cadillac has presented comparable vehicles at relative bargain prices.

Cadillac is planning a replacement for both their STS and DTS models. The replacement vehicle was displayed at the North American International Auto Show. The vehicle, the Cadillac XTS is designed to compete with the best Euro-sedans in the world. Journalists at the auto show were quite shocked with the unveiling of this vehicle. Its design sets it apart from the competition.

In fact, the XTS drew so much praise that dBusiness magazine has already awarded it as the 2011 Car of the Year. The XTS will likely be available sometime in late 2011 as a 2012 model year vehicle.

Now here's where the electric part plays in. Cadillac states that they will utilize the GM plug-in two mode hybrid system on the XTS and the all wheel drive setup of other company offerings. The plug-in hybrid setup could give Cadillac a distinct advantage over competitors.

Pricing and specs have not been released, but this vehicle has potential, in every aspect, to become one of the best Caddies out there.

We couldn't agree more. The XTS just radiates style and sophistication, and the plug-in hybrid setup should really appeal to a consumer base that will go mostly ignored by other plug-in hybrids as they are designed, (perhaps foolhardily?) with mass appeal in mind, see: boring.

We for one, can't wait until this concept becomes a reality. And from word on the street and blog posts like the one above, it seems like we're not the only people waiting in heavy anticipation.

"A Showcase of Renewed American Ambition" - The 2010 Philadelphia International Auto Show

2010-02-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

General Motors' Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn, had the opening remarks at this year's 2010 Philadelphia International Auto Show, and showed a dedication and genuine love for American-made automobiles that seems to have been missing from the industry within the eye of the public for far too long. Here's conceptcarz.com covering the event as they talk about two cars: The Cadillac Cyclone - Welburn's primary inspiration, and the upcoming Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, making it's East Coast debut.

Those adjustments to the Philly show's theme came no too soon. With continued recession-induced slow sales and an American auto industry still recovering from a collective near-death experience, a great show was necessary to boost buyer confidence and prove the worth of Detroit's latest offerings. Some emotional opening remarks by General Motors Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn set the stage for a showcase of renewed American ambition.

'I've been looking forward to this day,' said Welburn as he addressed the crowd, standing between two vehicles that were a lot more than just cars to him. One was a symbol of the grand past of a company he had always loved, the other living proof that, by putting forth good effort, GM can still build world class vehicles. To Mr. Welburn's right was a sleek 1960 Cadillac Cyclone. To his left, the upcoming Cadillac CTS-V Coupe.

One of the Cadillacs was particularly close to Welburn's heart. It was the Cyclone, a one-off concept penned by renowned General Motors designer Harley Earl. Welburn, a Philadelphia native, got the chance to see the Cyclone in 1960 at that year's very own Philly Auto Show, and it left an indelible impression.

'Every time I see it I really get fired-up and excited,' explained Welburn, who felt that the advanced automobile, with its bullet-shaped front fenders, rocket thruster taillights, and all glass retractable roof, was everything a concept car should be. It was innovative and unique, with radical styling and high-tech features. It was a 'breakthrough,' he said. 'That's what concept cars do—it was a real breakthrough for the Cadillac brand.' That Caddy changed his life. It was 'the car that inspired me to become a car designer.' After Welburn's first correspondence with GM, through a letter he wrote the company at the age of 11, the budding designer never looked back.

In a company as big as GM, it's too easy to forget that there are real people with real stories behind all those products. For the last few decades, General Motors seems to have suppressed all creativity within its range of vehicles. With few exceptions, GM cars were bland, cheaply built, and unoriginal. The company may have needed a taste of death before it came to its senses, but GM finally appears poised to return to its old ways as a maker of stylish and exciting cars of lasting influence. And it will take passionate individuals like Ed Welburn to lead the way in restoring GM's vivid personality.

The CTS-V Coupe made its East Coast debut at Philadelphia, and was a pleasant glimpse of what GM hopes to accomplish in the near future. An attractive car with an aggressive stance, the Coupe will offer the M5-fighting performance of its sedan counterpart but with a sportier body that represents what may be Cadillac's most well-executed design since the Allanté of 1987, which was styled by legendary Italian design firm Pininfarina. To prove the Coupe's sporting intent, the Cadillac came equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. This was a bold and welcome move at a show where exactly zero out of twelve BMW cars displayed was equipped with a three-pedal purist's proper gearbox.

Well count us among the many people happy to see a man like Ed Welburn overseeing design. This is a man who loves American cars, and models like this CTS-V Coupe show why.

The link to the full conceptcarz article can be found here.

Crestmont Cadillac

XTS Concept is Turning Heads

"A Showcase of Renewed American Ambition" - The 2010 Philadelphia International Auto Show