GM North America President Reuss Announces Two New Cadillacs

General Motors North America President Mark Reuss announced  the launch the 2012 Cadillac XTS large luxury sedan for the Spring of 2012 and a compact luxury sports sedan codenamed ATS for the summer of 2012.

The XTS is based on the XTS Platinum Concept unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It will offer an advanced front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive system.

The Cadillac codenamed ATS is a rear-wheel drive luxury sports car to compete head-to-head with the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 in the luxury market's largest segment.

Reuss also announced the eAssist light electrification feature on the 2012 Buick Regal will be a $2,000 option that delivers an estimated 25-percent improvement in fuel economy, giving Regal eAssist an EPA fuel economy rating of 36 mpg highway/25 mpg city. Regal with eAssist will start at $29,530, and Regal GS will start at $35,310; both prices include $860 in destination charges. The eAssist system is a $2,000 option on the Regal base model, mated to a 2.4L Ecotec engine. Buick will continue to offer the base model without eAssist as well as the 2.0L turbo.Regal eAssist, which goes on sale this fall,  captures energy created during braking to charge a 115V lithium-ion battery that powers a 11-kW (15 horsepower) motor-generator, augmenting a 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine. The eAssist system also allows the engine to shut down fuel delivery in certain deceleration conditions, saving additional fuel. Based on $4-per-gallon gasoline, the eAssist option on the Regal should pay for itself in about 3 1/2 years.

Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept - Or Preview?

The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept was the best four door concept introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, because it, like the VW NCC, looks ready to hit the streets now and it makes sense. Cadillac needs to replace the aging STS and DTS four door sedans to regain some sizzle needed to survive. Can Cadillac afford to have a concept? GM is a company coming out of bankruptcy under Government scrutiny so you can bet there will be no dice-rolling concepts, just previews. Cadillac is one of the four brands that GM is betting on to succeed - the XTS could make the Cadillac difference.


Cadillac’s top-of-the-line Platinum series of models, is designed to emphasize new expressions of luxury and technological features, including a plug-in hybrid propulsion system. 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.

The XTS is a big car so if my father trades in his STS for the XTS, he'll need a bumper sensor system or maybe the return of the front hood ornament to find the front of the car. Otherwise, nice job Cadillac!