This article is part of the GM Authority Opinion Desk series, where you can see exactly what’s on the minds of the GM Authority crew.

Perhaps you took in this year’s NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) and were expecting something from Chevrolet that would blow your socks off. Maybe you wanted to see an 800 hp version of the concept Corvette or perhaps a production model of the soon-to-be available SS Camaro Convertible.

Instead, we were given a presentation by Chevrolet General Manager Jim Campbell that clearly demonstrated the future direction of Chevrolet’s focus: value, style, and fuel saving. In case you missed it, watch it here.

Bravo!

Well, after watching this presentation, I have to say a resounding bravo to Chevrolet. Presenting vehicles such as the Volt, Aveo RS, Spark and Cruze really made a statement to the public that Chevrolet will once again start building “bread and butter” cars – vehicles that the vast majority of North Americans will purchase.

Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept

Bread And Butter

Bread and butter vehicles do not need to be flashy. They simply need to be what the public wants at a given moment in time. Given the current and short term future of the global economy, combined with the long-term escalation forecasts in the price of oil, it leaves little doubt that car companies should be focusing on affordability while decreasing fuel consumption.

2011 Chevy Cruze

GM’s Strategy In The Days Of Yore

When General Motors had its six divisions in the ’60′s (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac and GMC), its intention was to have a car for everyone. As one progressed in life and became more successful, they would naturally trade up their Chevy for a Pontiac, then trade in the Pontiac for a Buick, and so on until one day – they would have that shiny new Cadillac in their driveway. In fact, a Caddy told all of one’s neighbors that he or she has “made it.”

This was a good strategy and worked very well during the industrial age. But as time went on, The General’s divisions began to share platforms and options to save development costs. This practice became so prevalent among divisions, that a unique term is now used to describe it: badge engineering. The concept assumed that you could offer the same vehicle with a different name, change the grill, wheels, and car color, wrap it around a unique marketing program and the consumer would believe it was a totally unique product.

Indeed, badge engineering did bring development costs down, but the consumer wasn’t buying it (pardon the pun). Instead, they would look at one GM product and compare it to what Ford, Toyota or Honda were offering. In the end, we understand that General Motors has overestimated its dominance in the automotive industry and underestimated the public’s intelligence.

New GM ≠ Old GM

Without a doubt, the New GM has realized the mistake of its older self and is now going back to what made the company strong in the 50′s: create core brands that are distinctively unique compared to one another while giving the consumer the ability to move from one brand to another with a feeling that they have either moved up in vehicle class, or moved into another genre.

In this case, old is new – and Chevrolet is once again in the process of becoming the common man’s vehicle. The vehicle that first time car buyers, those on a low income, or retirees on a fixed income will consider.

So where was the Spark at this years NAIAS? It was right where it should have been - on stage at the Chevrolet presentation as the common man’s vehicle. And with that, there’s no doubt in my mind that Chevrolet is headed in the right direction!

PS: just in case you’re wondering, both the Spark and the next-gen Aveo seen here will be available in 2011, while the Cruze and Volt will launch in late 2010.

This article is part of the GM Authority Opinion Desk series, where you can see exactly what’s on the minds of the GM Authority crew.

2010 Chevrolet Spark

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

2010 Chevrolet Aveo RS Concept at NAIAS

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Click image for video

We’ve unearthed yet another video, this time of the stunning Camaro Synergy Special Edition at the NAIAS. The super-special Camaro will be made in limited quantities from February to May of this year and will set you back a pretty $26,790. In the video, when several attendees were told the price, we’re not sure whether they were surprised in a good or a bad way. See exactly what we mean after the jump.

Featured at the North American International Auto Show, the Verde features scissor-style opening doors, a glow of emerald paint that could probably be seen from outer space, muscular RWD, and bones spliced from the legendary Ford GT with a body composed of aluminum and carbon fiber. Other engine options include the 605 hp Roush racing V8, and the (still being tested) Hp2g hybrid motor that is rumored to put out 400 horsepower and achieve 100 miles-per-gallon (?!).

According to representatives present at the NAIAS, the Illinois based company plans to reach out to both the domestic and European markets and looks to launch the Verde by November of this year.

So here we have two of America’s best supercars ever made – the Ford GT and Corvette Zr1 – in the reptilian Revenge, which speaks to the astonishing engineering that is the ZR1′s supercharged LS9. It looks to be a winner!

I’m totally getting one.

But while exuding his passion for the bid-dog diesel, something interesting happened. Stephens issued the following challenge:

You know what I want to do to prove it? I want to take our truck and Ford’s [new Super Duty] and chain them together back-to-back. Then I want to have them pull against each other. I know our truck will beat theirs.

After confirming that Stephens was not being facetious, PickupTrucks.com’s Mike Levine passed the challenge along to Ford, but has not yet received an official response. If anything, Mike thinks that the challenge has certainly piqued Ford’s attention – and we would agree.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Witnesses saw flames move quickly up in the  ceiling above the Audi exhibit. The entire  hall was evacuated and no one was hurt.

The extent of damage is unknown at this time  and will be reported further when  information becomes available.

According to GM Authority author Manoli Katakis, who is onsite at the NAIAS, COBO Hall will reopen to the public at 4 PM.

If you were planning on going to the show today, your plans are delayed until at least 4 PM. GM Authority will post updates as they become available.

The Granite is GMC’s latest and smallest installment to the “Professional Grade” fleet. The model sits on top of the versatile Delta II platform, shared with Chevy’s Cruze, Orlando and Volt, and is covered in angular, boxy sheet metal with GMC’s signature lined grill staring forward. The interior of the four-seater won’t likely see the road, but still looks neat. Two-tone seats along with a dash and console that look like they’ve been stolen from the USS Enterprise give it a unique and appealing look. One that seems intended for the young, urban driver.

The Granite is a city-slicker. The four-seat hatchback is obviously intended for the under-thirty crowds getting lost on MapQuest routes with three friends, navigating through those compact alleys, tight city corners, and around leaping bums while trying to find the newest night club that just opened last Friday… all while riding in style. But is it “Professional Grade”?

Since it most likely won’t be used to tow pallets to the ship-yard or plow January snow, the GMC Granite really makes a move in a completely different direction than the brand image GMC has been ingraining in our minds for years – being a “Professional Grade” brand.

The GM Authority Take

This is one of the many reasons why Pontiac should have stuck around: where do you slot a car that is meant to fight Mazdas and Scions? I truly think the concept car looks good great, but as long as it has the GMC badge on the grill, the Granite will forever be a bad idea in terms of marketing and brand perception. It. Does. Not. Fit. In.

What GM is doing to GMC right now in introducing a model smaller than a C/SUV in the lineup is in a sense the same thing that put Pontiac to rest. Pontiac didn’t need models like the Torrent, the G5, or the G3. GMC doesn’t need the Granite.

Yes, GMC is essentially a clone brand of Chevy. But guess what, it’s highly profitable. Therefore, GMC works the way it is. The formula doesn’t need this extra ingredient.

Back in December, GM announced a new plan where it will closely monitor demand for its vehicles and run its production operations accordingly. Following up on that plan, GM North America President Mark Reuss told reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that demand for the Chevrolet Equinox, Buick LaCrosse, and Cadillac SRX is outstripping supply and that the plants that build these vehicles are currently running at full capacity. Compared to GM’s situation one year ago, that’s a good problem to have. Reuss said that GM is working on a backup plan in case demand for its products overly exceeds current production capacity.

GM’s solution to meet increased demand is to reopen a plant it closed back in 2009. Reuss specifically mentioned GM’s Spring Hill facility in Tennessee as a potential candidate for a reopening. The General recently invested millions to upgrade the facility, where it built the Chevy Traverse up to November 2009 – only to move production of the full-size CUV to Lansing, Michigan. Moreover, Reuss told reporters that the plant is flexible enough to build several models (as it should be: the Traverse’s Lambda platform, Equinox’s Theta, LaCrosse’s Epsilon 2, and Theta Premium of the SRX are all very much related).

As such, GM officially put its Spring Hill and Janesville, Wisconsin plants on standby  just in case extra capacity in the U.S. is needed. That scenario is not difficult to imagine given the expected rebound of the U.S. auto industry in the foreseeable future. Since the cost of building a new plant can run well over a billion dollars, the idea to reopen shuttered plants seems a good move to us. Not only that, but it will also help boost the economy by bringing back laid-off workers (thereby decreasing unemployment and strengthening the economy). Most recently, GM announced it will run its Fairfax assembly plant around the clock to meet demand for the Chevy Malibu and Buick LaCrosse. I wonder what those Tea Party protesters have to say about that!

[Source: The Associated Press via Yahoo!]

If they were giving out awards for biggest surprise in show, this car would take the cake. And that’s not because people didn’t know that it would be shown or because we’ve been anticipating the next-gen Aveo for some time. The reason the Aveo RS Concept is such a surprise is because of the changes made to vehicle, inside and out. GM has pushed the reset button.

Everything about the Gamma II platform-based Aveo RS Concept is a caffeinated step in the right direction. With its sharp all-new front fascia and open-mouthed double grille that keep the Chevrolet family look intact, it stares the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit in the face and says, “bring it.” The interior features stitching and accents that match the outside hue of the car, a sporty motorcycle inspired display, a glossy center console, and even leather… leather! But there’s much more to it than cosmetic changes.

Hit up the jump to see what they are and a whole lot more, including a high-res gallery!

Under the hood sits GM’s global 1.4 liter turbocharged, direct-injected 4-cylinder engine that’s shared with the larger Delta II-based Cruze. The four-banger produces 138 horsepower and 148 ft-lb of torque. That’s 30 horses and 43 ft-lbs more than the current generation Aveo – plenty of bite for a car that should weigh in at a skimpy 2,700 pounds. Though the powertrain is most likely certain, it’s doubtful that some of the other features and design elements will make it to production. This is probably where the “concept” part comes in.

The colored brake calipers and the center mounted dual exhausts that sit flush with the bumper in the rear are probably not going to see the road, and the naked lights are probably going to get covered. But even without these extras, Chevy’s compact has experienced a tuner, hot-hatch renaissance.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at its Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Timing for retooling the Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010. The plant currently builds the Chevy Malibu.

The GM Authority Take

To be honest, I’ve never really been excited about anything compact that came out of GM. However, this here Aveo is the first to peak my attention. This must be what Ford Fiesta fans feel like.

Even if it’s just a concept, I expect the fully-loaded production Aveo to be very similar, with all the options such as leather, colored stitching and 19″ wheels.

Here’s the high-res gallery of the Aveo RS Concept below.

PRESS RELEASE

Chevrolet Aveo RS Show Car: A Wake-Up Call For The Small-Car Segment

2010-01-08

• Dynamic hot hatch designed to appeal to young enthusiasts
• Personalization is built into the design
• Roominess and upscale amenities not usually found in subcompacts
• 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbo delivers exceptional fuel economy with performance when needed

DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced the world debut of the Aveo RS show car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. It features a European-inspired hot hatch look designed to appeal to young enthusiasts, and hints at the next-generation Aveo.

Longer, wider and more spacious than the current production Aveo, the Aveo RS showcases the car’s upscale-looking design cues both inside and out, and presents the many personalization options potentially available on the next-generation car.

“We hope the Aveo RS show car will demonstrate that we are as serious about redefining the Aveo and its place in the small-car segment as we were about reinventing the Malibu,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet general manager.

First impressions

The Aveo RS show car, finished in electric Boracay Blue, wears global Chevrolet design cues such as the dual element grille, round taillamps and fender flares, but designers turned up the attitude on the show car with low openings and a lower mouth trimmed in a combination of brushed and polished aluminum. Outboard fog lamps are integrated into an exaggerated brake-cooling inlet that flows into the front fender flares, creating an aggressive-looking face.

Exposed headlamps, with their brushed aluminum structural surround, are inspired by the designers’ affection for motorcycles. The sleek side profile is characterized by uninterrupted body side lines, a high beltline and low roofline. The side mirrors with amber-colored turn signal indicators carry the same shape as the car and seemingly disappear into the profile. At first glance, the car actually looks like a three-door hatch because the rear door handles are discreetly located in the “C”-pillar area.

“The Aveo RS show car demonstrates how progressive design can inject personality into a small car,” said Michael Simcoe, executive director, North American Exterior Design. “We want customers to see it and have an emotional reaction to it.”

No performance-minded car earns its street cred without large wheels and tires. The Aveo RS show car’s wheels are 19-inch, five-spoke with a gun metal metallic finish Chevrolet logo. The wheel openings reveal large Boracay Blue brake calipers.

The rear of the show car continues the sport theme, with an integrated spoiler that flows from the roof, a center-mounted exhaust and chrome exhaust tips. The exposed motorcycle-inspired rear taillamps feature tinted aluminum housings and a discreet Bowtie logo.

Spacious and stylish interior

With its matte black interior highlighted by gloss black, metallic and blue accents, the Aveo RS show car reflects as much attention to detail as the exterior. The Boracay Blue theme continues inside, with accent stitching across the dual cockpit instrument panel, front and rear door insert, steering wheel rim, gear shift boot, parking brake, leather seat bolster and even the floor mats. The integrated center stack holds the gearshift, HVAC controls and the sound system, including a USB port. Ice-blue backlighting on the audio display, telltale indicator screen and knobs augments the blue stitching.

The motorcycle inspiration also carries inside, with a round, analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout also trimmed in milled metal with round cutouts; and round, aluminum-trimmed side vents.

The interior is as functional as it is stylish, with storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items.

Efficient performer

The Aveo RS show car is powered by the same highly efficient 138-horsepower (103 kW) 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze.

A six-speed manual transmission is designed to ensure the car will provide a spirited driving experience.

For the show car, designers created a special engine cover in graphite silver with a brushed aluminum insert. The coolant and power steering fluid fill caps are rimmed in ice blue, and the honeycomb vents flanking the center of the cover are matte-finished in shadow chrome and designed to match the wheel color.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Timing for retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010.

About Chevrolet

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. More information can be found at www.chevrolet.com. For more information on the Volt, visit http://media.gm.com/volt.

PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS: AVEO RS SHOW CAR

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

Mercedes, BMW and Audi have officially been put in check.

Cadillac just blind-sided ze Germans with something those brands haven’t seen in a long time – and that is what describes the Cadillac XTS Platinum “Concept” (come on, GM don’t play us, we know you’re going to build this one). The much-teased concept is Cadillac’s best display of form and function in a sedan since… the CTS, but better! It’s bigger, too.

In terms of dimensions, the XTS is nearly as long as the retiring DTS, but is wider and a tad taller thanks to the new Super Epsilon frame. That means it’s pretty gosh darned big – much like the old school Cadillacs of yore. But thanks to all-wheel-drive and the magnetic ride dampening system (borrowed from such all-stars as the ZR-1 and CTS-V), this car won’t handle like those old boats. Does it go like stink? Actually, it’s pretty powerful for being a plug-in two mode hybrid.

Under the hood, the XTS is powered by GM’s popular 3.6 liter direct-injected V6 accompanied by a lithium-ion battery pack that allows the car to go full e-mode at speeds under 40 mph. Cadillac also goes on to say that it will harness “around 350 horsepower.” S-Class hybrid, eat your heart out. But since powerful people like equally powerful cars, a possible V8 version should not go underlooked.

Cadillac spared no expense dressing up the interior. The cabin looks more like a $250,000 Bentley than a Cadillac. This is where the Platinum part comes in: according to Caddy, it features “laser etched suede, aniline leathers, satin metals and burled birch wood,” along with a visually appealing LED touch-screen for the center console interface. The driver’s display is also an LED screen that runs one foot long behind the wood and leather- wrapped steering wheel. The dash is also reconfigurable to the driver’s preference.

To top it all off, the back seat is so spacious that there’s “no need to apologize to your friends in the back seat”. Rear passengers are even pampered with their own personal monitors at which to stare. And did we mention the door handles illuminate as you approach the XTS, inviting you in? Now isn’t that nice!

The GM Authority Take:

Now I don’t usually become excited think this is one of the best-looking flagship sedans I have ever seen. The XTS contains a few cues from the stunning Cadillac Sixteen Concept from a few years ago, especially in the broad shield grill and wood accents on the steering wheel. It just looks fantastic, fantastic, fantastic.

But the question lies not in whether or not the XTS will be built, but rather if it will go as far in terms of luxury, features, and engine as the concept car leads us to believe. With road tires fitted around the 20 inch rims and GM’s already-existing two-mode plug in hybrid system, this car looks ready for production. I’d like to think it’s going to happen. And so does Alex Luft.

We have GM’s presser after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

Cadillac Unveils The XTS Platinum Concept

2010-01-12

• A new study re-imagining the luxury sedan, showcasing the progression of the Cadillac Art and Science philosophy
• Designed from the inside out, featuring a new concept for the interface between the driver and the auto electronics
• Plug-in hybrid system is matched with a 3.6L V-6 and all-wheel drive for dynamic and efficient performance

DETROIT – Cadillac unveiled the XTS Platinum Concept at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, suggesting a new paradigm for the luxury sedan of the future. The concept showcases Cadillac’s emerging top-of-the-line Platinum series of models, emphasizing new expressions of luxury and technological features, including a plug-in hybrid propulsion system.

The XTS Platinum Concept was designed from the inside out, re-imagining the luxury sedan as a personal headquarters, built for efficiency, luxury and connectivity. The concept introduces a new approach to in-car electronics that improves the form and function of the car’s entertainment, navigation and information systems.

“The XTS Platinum concept is the next expression of Cadillac’s Art and Science execution philosophy, reflecting our drive to deliver the latest innovations in the most artful manner,” said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. “We envisioned this concept as an automotive personal headquarters, using advanced technology to enable new levels of connectivity and luxury.”

The XTS Platinum Concept uses Cadillac’s 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection gas engine, paired with a plug-in hybrid system. The plug-in technology enables the battery to fully charge from a standard electrical outlet, enabling pure electric propulsion in many driving situations, especially urban commutes in which fuel efficiency may double that of a conventional hybrid.

Traditional luxury sedans were defined by elegant interiors and Cadillac’s XTS Platinum Concept propels that formula into the future. It delivers new approaches to luxury within a design that combines fine craftsmanship with customer-driven innovation. Like the current Platinum Edition products, such as Escalade Platinum and the STS and DTS Platinum sedans, the interior is based on hand cut-and-sewn materials. The XTS Platinum Concept injects more contemporary forms and themes into the interior design, including the use of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (O-LED) displays in place of traditional gauges and screens.

The concept previews a new integration philosophy guiding the development of future models with respect to in-car electronics. The intent is to progress Cadillac’s intuitive in-car electronics systems, typified by the deployable touch-screen navigation system that has been highly acclaimed in the brand’s CTS and SRX product lines. The XTS Platinum Concept previews this strategy via the minimization of traditional buttons and switches. Designers blended the display screens into a flowing instrument panel. They call it a “dead front” design, because the panels appear black until the car is turned on and the screens illuminate. The instrument panel itself reflects the XTS Platinum’s other focus – uncompromising luxury and attention to detail on the interior.

“The Platinum distinction in Cadillac means the fullest extent of luxury and technology and we’ve tried to reach even further with this concept,” said Clay Dean, Cadillac design director. “Just as the technology pushes the boundaries of what a Cadillac can offer, so do the details that make the XTS Platinum Concept an uncompromising experience.”

The interior takes inspiration from nature, specifically the intricate layers of petals that combine to form an orchid. Cadillac designers translated that into a layered and detailed interior. Light cream is the cabin’s primary color and is contrasted with darker elements, such as the steering wheel and an overhead console motif that runs the length of interior’s roof. The console is made of a richly finished wood and houses lighting features.

Premium leather seats include a new style of automotive suede, with a laser-etched pattern. The patterned material adorns the center sections of the seats and accents the door trim. Thoughtfully detailed stitching is used throughout the interior, including the seats, instrument panel and door panels. Passengers in the spacious rear compartment of the XTS Platinum Concept also have access to the car’s connectivity feature, along with a range of infotainment choices.

“We never lost sight of the fact that a large luxury sedan needs to be spacious and accommodating,” said Dean. “Passengers will find generous headroom, legroom and knee space, along with the technology elements that make the drive more productive.”

A new proportion

The XTS Platinum Concept has a distinctive proportion that transcends the traditional aesthetic of luxury sedans and carries the brand’s Art and Science design in a more progressive manner. The unique proportion supports the “inside out” design priority, while creating a sleek profile that complements the car’s advanced technology elements and necessary aerodynamics.

“The XTS Platinum Concept design artfully conveys its focus on functionality through technology,” said Dean. “It is the antithesis of the conventional three-box sedan, suggesting the active evolution of Cadillac’s design language.”

A sweeping profile culminates in a short, high deck lid that meets the XTS Platinum Concept’s aerodynamic needs – including a rear spoiler mounted on the deck lid, incorporating the center high-mounted stop lamp. A high, sloping beltline gestures the vehicle forward, suggesting motion, while the fenders flare outward wrapping tightly around 20-inch wheels and tires. The wheel-to-body proportion was carefully tailored to visually communicate the car’s all-wheel-drive chassis.

Like the interior, the exterior elements are precisely tailored and elegantly detailed. Brushed billet aluminum trim is used selectively and the 20-inch, 11-spoke wheels feature a brushed aluminum face accented with bright inserts within the spokes. The wheels are wrapped with special Bridgestone tires that were created specifically for the XTS Platinum Concept.

Signature elements essential to Cadillac’s Art and Science design language include vertical headlamp and taillamps, with integrated light pipes and richly detailed lighting components. The headlamps feature light-emitting diode technology for bright illumination that requires less energy, as well as Cadillac’s Adaptive Forward Lighting technology, which turns the headlamps with the direction of the front wheels for greater visibility in turns.

Purposeful and efficient performance

The XTS Platinum concept’s plug-in hybrid electric propulsion system (PHEV) builds on the experience Cadillac has gained with the Escalade Hybrid and Escalade Platinum Hybrid flagship models. The plug-in capability boosts the car’s electric-only driving capability, offering additional battery energy capacity and enabling it to recharge from a standard external electrical outlet. The key benefit of external plug-in recharging is that in many situations – such as overnight parking – the battery can fully recharge in roughly five hours while the car is not in use. The plug-in system operates at maximum efficiency when operating on power the battery has drawn from the electric grid. In some conditions, such as urban commutes, drivers can experience efficiency that doubles that of conventional hybrids.

At higher speeds or when conditions demand it, such as brisk acceleration, a combination of engine power and electric power or engine power only, propels the vehicle. The combination of the Direct Injection V-6 engine and the PHEV system featuring fully electric variable drive provides a spirited driving experience. The system provides an estimated 350 horsepower (260 kW) and 295 lb.-ft. of torque (400 Nm).

Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) enables the XTS Platinum Concept to deliver superior road-holding performance while maintaining luxury car composure in “regular” driving conditions. It uses shocks controlled by advanced magneto-rheological technology, rather than mechanical valves, to greatly accelerate response time and precision.

MRC uses electronic sensors at all four wheels to literally “read the road” every millisecond, making constant adjustments to damping to create virtually instantaneous and extremely precise control of body motions.

An advanced, specially calibrated all-wheel-drive system ensures optimal traction in wet and slippery conditions, and helps deliver maximum traction while cornering. Four-wheel disc brakes, with four-channel ABS, StabiliTrak stability control and full-function traction control complete the drivetrain details.

“The XTS Platinum Concept was designed to deliver an engaging driving experience without compromising the functional features, space and comfort customers seek in a luxury car,” said Nesbitt. “It is a new vision of luxury that uses advanced technology to deliver functionality efficiently and rewardingly.”

About Cadillac

Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and global expansion. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

# # #

Vehicle type:

luxury sedan concept

Wheelbase (in / mm):

111.7 / 2837

Length (in / mm):

203.5 / 5170

Width (in / mm):

74.8 / 1900

Height (in / mm):

59.1 / 1500

Track (in / mm):

62.6 / 1589 (front); 62.8 / 1594 (rear)

Powertrain:

plug-in hybrid system with 3.6L Direct Injection gas engine (with variable valve timing); lithium ion battery

Suspension:

four-wheel independent with Magnetic Ride Control.

Brakes:

four-wheel disc with electric park brake system

Wheels:

20-in front / 20-in rear

Estimated power:

350 hp (260 kW) / 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm)

The GM Authority Take:

I’m alright with what the man said. In fact, it’s amusing how he could boil the most chaotic year in GM’s history into one sentence.

And he’s right. Whatever way you slice it, whatever your opinion was on the bankruptcy, the federal loans, Rick Wagoners firing, Fritz Henderson’s dismissal, political remarks, Maximum Bob, Dealership closing, Pontiac’s shutdown (the G8′s early death)… oh and Mark LeNave (who I like to now refer to as, “Mark who?”). All that – is just some of the lot of stuff that happened.