Cadillac says that the XTS offers a glimpse into the next generation of interior design for The Wreath and Crest brand. In styling the cabin and selecting interior finishes of the Super Epsilon-based vehicle, designers drew inspiration from the fast-paced and often-changing fashion and home furnishings industries.
For instance, the cut-and-sew treatment of the XTS’ leather is a component that designers acquired from fashion; one of their intentions, in fact, was to make the interior an extension of products with which the luxury consumer interacts. To do this, designers studied how the fashion industry chooses leathers for handbags and shoes.
“As automotive designers we can draw parallels, especially from luxury fashion, in the way materials like leather are selected and treated,” said Erin Crossley, a design manager who helped style the XTS’s interior. “We applied small details, such as stitching touches, from fashion to deliver a refined interior with finishes that a customer can appreciate for its attention to detail.”
Unlike fashion, automotive interiors don’t change with the seasons. But the use of premium materials remains a key component to delivering a durable and chic product. Besides having a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front dash, top door trim, and center console, the XTS Platinum uses Opus full-leather seats with subtle hints of purple visible through mini-perforated inserts. Opus leather, according to Caddy, is the highest-quality leather sourced for Cadillac and has a limited finishing and light embossed grain for a soft feel. Purple stitching around the cabin’s trim areas complements the purple mini-perforated inserts.
“With the XTS we really looked for soft and supple leathers and used pops of color to add an element of contrast and drama,” said Crossley. “We used really fine grains in order to see the richness of the natural material and also make sure it feels high end to the touch.”
Since its launch, the XTS has been recognized throughout the industry for its design, one of which was a Ward’s 10 Best Interiors award.
The GM Authority Take
The high-quality and luxurious interior is most definitely the strongpoint of the XTS. In fact, we couldn’t find one thing wrong with the car’s cabin after driving the car for a combined two weeks (stay tuned for the review). In fact, yours truly absolutely loves the XTS’s high-quality materials; but what really mesmerized me was the car’s interior and exterior lighting elements:
Comments
nice…..it is elegant…my ATS has same interior colors….lovely at night when lights come on
So totally agree, as an ATS owner myself. Mine is Glacier Blue with black leather. The use of lighting makes the deal – night lighting especially. The HID lighting adds that WOW factor. Umm – I replaced Cadillac’s wheel and tire choice with plated 17″ wheels from Discount Tire and pulled the Michelin runflats. I’ve used the Michelin Pilot Super Sports previously and am using them again. I don’t have flat tires – runflats arenot necessary. And btw, my Performance Edition 3.6 returns economy figures well above the posted EPA ratings. It gives above 30 mpg @ cruise controlled 70mph – I’ve a picture of the dash display.
i love the pics of the XTS at night….i think it is one of cadillac best features….seeing as lighting element are the new craze for cars…..cadillac has the most unique and distinctive lighting in the market…and the news cadillac CTS continues then trend…..
congrats, Bob….I thought of that blue also….yes, a great car for sure…I am getting 22 in town easily…it only has 500 miles and I will be taking a road trip this next week…. my 2.5 has a lot of power and is smooth and peppy . Sure gets the looks 🙂
Danny – I pulled the Michelin Primacy runflats yesterday and put Michelin Pilot Super Sports in the stock size. I’ve used the Super Sports previously with excellent results. They are not all-season. Michelin offers an all season Super Sport A/S3 available in mid-July. I decided not to wait – I’ve not had a tire issue in many, many years and really don’t especially need all-season tires here in West Texas. I plan to sell the O.E. wheels and tires.
Bob…I e-mailed my salesman and asked to trade out the run flats for the Michelin tires that come on the base that mine originally had….I had then Performance wheels installed and that meant run flats. Hopefully dealership will exchange them. I can’t say run flats are bad but they are awfully firm for a Cadillac.
I hope she doesn’t take this the wrong way, but she looks better with the lights off! 🙂
Bob, I have the run flats that came with car….seem Ok for me so far….
Danny,
I’ve previous experience with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on my Pontiac Grand Prix GXP. All the reviews on the tires IMHO provide spot on information.
These tires made an even more dramatic difference on my ATS Performance Edition 3.6. Instantly smoothed out the ride. My ATS feels smoother, quieter and definitely more planted. The Grand Touring type Primacy’s simply are NOT enough tire for an ATS. Impact over rough pavement was just not exceptable – no more slam on tar stripes. I wish we lived close enough for you to sample the difference.
A reality? Cadillac uses the ZP tires in order to justify the lack of a spare tire and jack assembly. I’ve not had a tire issue, of any sort, in nearly a decade now.
Thanks, Bob….the ATS I test-drove had the base (non-run-flat) Michelin tires on it..by getting the Perfromance wheels, the run flats came with my car, as all ATS above the base model do, as I understand….so far it has been fine but I might look into changing them out as you did. So far, I have not noticed a lot of noise but, I’m taking a road trip soon and sure find out….