General Motors has revealed new details on its plans for the limousine variants of the 2013 Cadillac XTS, which made its world premiere at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.
The XTS will replace the DTS sedan not only in the passenger car market but will also take its place in Cadillac’s professional vehicle lineup.
At the upcoming 28th Annual International Limousine, Charter and Tour Show that takes place February 13-15 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Cadillac will unveil the XTS “W20 Livery Sedan Package” for professional use, which from what we understand, will retain the regular XTS’ wheelbase length.
However, GM said it is currently working on two more versions of the XTS, the extended sedan and limousine, which Cadillac Master Coachbuilder (CMC) licensed manufacturers can build for the chauffeured transportation market by the end of the year.
According to Limousine, Charter and Tour Magazine, CMC coachbuilders will be able to extend the length of the “V4U” XTS Limo by up to 70 inches (1,778mm), and add up to 8 inches (203mm) to the wheelbase of the “W30” XTS-L sedan for improved rear legroom.
GM pointed out that the XTS V4U and W30 will not be shown in Las Vegas.
“This new vehicle will help dispel some of the myths out there about Cadillac,” said Ray Bush, Cadillac Professional Vehicles Program Manager. “The Cadillac of old was from the standpoint of large, floaty vehicles. Cadillac has moved away from that with its new products launched over the last 10 years. The XTS will further that with outstanding ride characteristics that compare favorably with Cadillac vehicles of the past.”
Bush also told the magazine that Cadillac does not compare themselves against Lincoln, which itself has retired the Panther-based Town Car and will replace it with the limousine versions of the MKT Town Car, due to be released this spring.
“We benchmark ourselves against the best German makes such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi,” said Bush. He added, however, that “the Town Car has been the workhorse of the industry for so many years, so we see the XTS as an opportunity to get more of the industry into Cadillac.”
Story References: LCT Mag via Worldcarfans
2013 CADILLAC XTS REGULAR PASSENGER MODEL