The Cadillac DTS has been consigned to history, leaving Cadillac without a full-size luxury vehicle for the first time in many years. General Motors will rectify that problem with the all-new 2013 Cadillac XTS. The XTS features dramatic "Art and Science" styling cues, with sharp, distinctive lines and the next iteration of Cadillac's trademark chrome grille.

At 202 inches in length, the XTS is one big sedan, and its 111 inch wheelbase enables that size to translate into plenty of room for up to five passengers. The XTS delivers 40 inches of rear-seat leg room, or four inches more than the BMW 5 Series and two more inches than the Audi A6. The XTS also features a cavernous 18 cubic feet of trunk space, more storage capacity than the Audi A8L. As large as the XTS is, its designers needed to add big wheels to fill in those wheel wells. Cadillac opted for standard 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch rollers available as an option or standard on the top-end Platinum trim.

GM engineers also poured plenty of technology into the XTS, including the automaker's new Cadillac CUE infotainment system. The XTS makes use of a massive 12.3-inch LCD screen to display its data, with a choice of four different display options that offer varying degrees of features to cater to individual needs. In other words, if your dad doesn't want to fuss with tons of options, he can opt for the least complicated interface. If you like your center stack uncluttered, the XTS features only seven buttons in total, with three allocated to audio controls.

Cadillac threw the technology book at the XTS' chassis, too, adding its HiPer Strut suspension up front, air suspension out back and magnetic ride control. The available all-wheel-drive system comes from Haldex and features an electronically controlled limited slip differential for optimal grip regardless of conditions.

Power comes courtesy of GM's ubiquitous 3.6-liter V6 mated to a standard Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift capability. The V6 will pump out an estimated 300 horsepower at 6,800 RPM and 264 pound-feet of torque at 5,300 revolutions. Cadillac estimates that the front-wheel-drive XTS will deliver 17 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the AWD model should return 17/27 numbers.

The 2103 Cadillac XTS will be officially unveiled at the LA Auto Show later today, and GM says the production XTS will hit the streets in Spring 2012.Continue reading 2013 Cadillac XTS looms large over lineup

2013 Cadillac XTS looms large over lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.


More...