LA Auto Show 2006: Cadillac Releases XLR, STS and DTS Platinum Series

An elegant tradition of hand-crafted luxury is being redefined for a new generation, as Cadillac today introduces the Platinum Series for the XLR roadster and STS and DTS sedans. The Platinum Series is a limited-edition collection of vehicles including additional elegant design touches, and continues Cadillac's reinvention of its interior styling and appointments.

Cadillac's landmark V-series extended the brand's credentials into the elite-level performance arena. Now the Platinum Series aims to do the same in the luxury direction. The vehicles were inspired by the very popular Escalade ESV Platinum that was offered between the 2004 and 2006 model years and introduced many new luxury features to the luxury SUV marketplace.

"The Platinum Series is a natural addition to the Cadillac brand, extending the luxury appeal of our products," said Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor. "Platinum also joins the new 2007 SRX and our V-Series cars as examples of Cadillac's return to hand-crafted interiors, an important addition to the ongoing renaissance of the brand."

Cadillac's limited-edition Platinum models feature ultra-premium details such as a generous use of chrome, authentic wood and luxurious upholstery, as well as Cadillac's precision hand-crafted interiors, executed by craftsmen who cut, wrap and sew cabin components individually.

Here's a look at Cadillac's 2007 Platinum portfolio:

XLR Platinum

The XLR roadster has taken a starring role in Cadillac's new emphasis on dramatic styling and serious performance. Now the XLR Platinum maximizes the elegance of Cadillac's entry into the elite club of luxury roadsters.

XLR Platinum features exclusive 15-spoke, 18-inch wheels, with a brighter chrome finish for the grille and an exclusive Liquid Amethyst exterior color and exclusive Platinum badge.

Inside, the XLR Platinum features appointments such as authentic olive ash burl wood and a Cashmere interior color. The instrument panel "upper," and door trim feature hand cut, sewn and wrapped leather. Other cabin appointments include olive ash burl wood inserts on the steering wheel and luxurious Alcantara suede headliner, visors and pillars, and additional Platinum badging on the sill plate.

The Cadillac XLR Platinum will be available in the first quarter of 2007.

STS Platinum

The STS Platinum sedan extends the luxurious look and feel of the STS with elements such as 18-inch chrome-finish wheels; a brighter chrome-finish grille; a Glacier Gold exterior finish; bright chrome inserts on the exterior door handles and Platinum badging.

On the inside, STS Platinum features hand-cut, sewn and wrapped instrument panel, door trim and center console areas. The seats are fully leather, a semi-aniline variety called Tuscany . Luxury touches include chrome accents on the instrument panel and doors, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, olive ash burl wood accents with a saddle-stained shade, premium floor mats and a Platinum badge of the door sill. STS Platinum comes in either a Cocoa over Cashmere or an Ebony interior color scheme.

The Cadillac STS Platinum will be available in the first quarter of 2007, in either the V-6 or Northstar V-8-powered versions of the car.

DTS Platinum

The Cadillac DTS Platinum goes to dramatic new lengths with 18-inch wheels, bright chrome grille and chrome inserts on the exterior door handles, as well as a Platinum badge, all of which highlight the Ebony exterior finish.

A unique Light Linen over Cocoa interior is distinguished by olive ash burl wood with decorative inlay; semi-aniline-dyed Tuscany leather upholstery and hand-cut-and-sewn leather on the instrument panel, console and door trim.

A handcrafted, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with authentic olive ash burl wood and chrome appointments; suede headliner and visors; and an illuminated Platinum badge on the door sill plate complete the package.

The Cadillac DTS Platinum will be available in August of 2007.

iown1 - 11/28/2006 1:57:55 PM

-2 Boost

The interiors look nice. My only problem, other than the name, (Platinum Series?! sounds cheesy), is that this should be the standard for a luxury car, not an exception.

bmwdrvr - 11/29/2006 8:58:33 AM

0 Boost

what car in either the sts, or dts class. have interiors like these? normally leather wrapping dashes, and door panels is normally in a class above these cars like s class, xj, 7 series. if the e class, 5 series, s type, and m (which has a nice styled but cheap quality interior), doesnt have to have extras to be competitive why does a cadillac.

iown1 - 11/29/2006 9:24:10 AM

0 Boost

My bad. After re-reading it does sound like I was singling Cadilac out. Not my intention. I think all Luxury brands should step up their game. It's insulting to by a "luxury" car and have to pay extra for more luxury. I luxury manufacturers should just build the most luxurious models they can and adjust the price accordingly.

Ex. The new cl comes with leather, the cl 600 with passion leather. You have to pay more if you want it in the 550. What? The $100,000.00 didn't cover it? It's insulting that they think consumers are this boneheaded.

Matthew1 - 11/28/2006 2:06:50 PM

-1 Boost

Yuck.

Who designed the interiors? A Beaver?

The Honda Accord has a better quality interior than these 'premium' luxury cars.

I mean look at the horrible plastic used for the radio!

Designer1 - 11/28/2006 3:00:58 PM

0 Boost

The whole cars look behind by 5 years compared to their competitors. As far as the interior's quality that GM has tons of problems with, only the top portion is replaced with leather, the rest of the plastic is the same old cheap one. And the other thing, when is Cadilac going to start using smart key technology? They still use the Cavalier's keys wrapped with cheap rubber.

Loki123 - 11/28/2006 3:47:53 PM

-3 Boost

GM = Garbage Manufacturer

Chip - 11/28/2006 4:12:32 PM

-1 Boost

Those rims on the XLR look as cheap as they come!!!!!

And all those interior shots are gaudy. None looks at all exclusive or expenisve.

Sorry to say, but Cadillac still needs a lot of help!!!

Murcielago_LP640 - 11/28/2006 4:39:19 PM

-3 Boost

Platinum...isn't that what you call things that are outdated?

:S

jasaero - 11/28/2006 4:45:51 PM

+1 Boost

Say what you will! Wait until January when the NG CTS is shown. This is just a trim package to help with sales on these models since they didn't have the money to redesign the interiors like they did on the SRX. And Matthew, what Honda Accord comes with a Leather dash?? I want to know. The comment on the radio makes no sense either. And on the keys. The only thing different with the keys on a Caddy and those on the competing cars is that it isn't built into the key fob. The radio in the key fob is encrypted though and the car will not start if you don't have the radio keyfob to unlock the car. A bunch of comments from people who obviously haven't went and checked these cars out very closely.

Rupert - 11/28/2006 6:12:03 PM

-3 Boost

cadillacs suck, plain and simple. the radio on the STS is made of some horrilbe cheap plastics, more brittle than dried seaweed. the srx's interior is a huge mish mash of buttons and switches, the rear wiper button is on the roof for chrissakes! it looks like it was stuck together with glue and a bread knife, and has huge swathes of empty plastic covering everything, and horrible fake wood everywhere! and the terrible thing is, it's cadillac's best vehicle!

StepYaGameUp - 11/28/2006 4:50:48 PM

-3 Boost

my 2001 mercedes-benz C class has a 20 times better interior... rofl.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/28/2006 5:15:31 PM

-2 Boost

Wow, they went a LITTLE overboard on the wood there.

I thought they were finally tasteful. This changes my mind!

S4cabriofoxone - 11/28/2006 5:16:38 PM

-2 Boost

Oh and, it looks like the interior designers of the STS and DTS have never talked to each other. The DTS has trim bits out of the new Saturn Outlook, while the STS's interior is more along the lines of the new Escalade (or vice versa).

Rupert - 11/28/2006 6:05:39 PM

-3 Boost

eurgh.
why do you like chrome so much? it makes the wheels look so cheap! almost cheaper than the wood!
and 2 tone interiors are way to difficult for cadillac to pull off, how do you make leather clash with wood so badly?

bmwdrvr - 11/28/2006 8:31:58 PM

+3 Boost

pretty stupid comment, less list the number of cars that have to much chrome...., the sts has less chrome than many other luxury cars, as does the xlr. the dts is traditional cadillac and still is about on track with other luxury cars, an e class has how much chrome, as does the a6, and many other luxury cars including the lexus buick line. its sad when chrome makes a luxury car every car in the lexus lineup without chrome would look like the cheap toyotas that they are. lexus isnt original to be copied, out dated bmw and mercedes design cues meshed with boring isnt styling. i agree if these were other cars people would be praising them , but since they are "american" people trash them with no reason. these are nice interiors period, im a car enthusiasts i dont bash a "countries" cars. cadillacs have came along way, the next generation of these cars will be even better, im glad to see an american car company being competitive in this difficult segment. infiniti, and acura both get knocked by mags for cheap interiors in their current gen cars, but u rarely hear about that just cadillac, why? the assumption would be cadillac is a more prestigious brand and therefore more is expected of it..and isnt nicer than accord, the vw rabbit has nicer materials than accord at how much? get off the brain wash...

Rupert - 11/29/2006 12:27:08 PM

+1 Boost

i mean why chrome wheels.
they look really cheap. chrome strips (ie on the a6's trunk) looks alright, but giant swathes of chrome everywhere doesn't look too great.
but cadillac is improving, big time. way more than lincoln.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/29/2006 9:18:09 PM

+1 Boost

bmwdrvr-

Cadillacs are great cars now.

But...

"infiniti, and acura both get knocked by mags for cheap interiors in their current gen cars, but u rarely hear about that just cadillac, why?"

Hmm... Well, no, Acura definitely doesn't. Acura interiors are hugely overlooked- they're just as high-quality as Lexus interiors, and almost up to Audi par. I don't think the designs are very appealing, but you can't argue with quality.

Infiniti doesn't have bad interiors, per se. They're nicer than most BMW equivalents (new X5, 6 Series and 7 Series are all better than Infinitis though), and have attractive wood options.

audirevolution - 11/28/2006 7:18:15 PM

-3 Boost

Cadillac is behind the competition, as with most American makes.
The interior tries to copy Lexus.

StepYaGameUp - 11/28/2006 9:48:30 PM

0 Boost

well.. bmw, MB, lexus would never have such hideos interiors...
like ive said: i own a 2001 Mercedes c320, and for a more expensive car thats 5 years newer, teh interior is much worse.
if it was a bmw or audi with this interior, Im sure everyone would be just as disgusted, prolly even more so since most would expect mroe form such brands.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/29/2006 9:19:12 PM

+1 Boost

The C-Class's interior sucks.

keyzi747 - 11/28/2006 9:01:26 PM

+2 Boost

I really don't understand the fuss about these Cadillac interiors. I own a BMW and these interiors are much more inviting and better looking. I'm waiting for the next generation CTS. If it is as good as they say it is, I'll be saying goodbye to my 04 530i!

EL34 - 11/28/2006 10:04:56 PM

0 Boost

I thought you guys liked wood!!

It's just a little spalted maple for goodness sake.

Check it out.
http://www.kubicki.com/images/2_spalted_maple.jpg

MaranelloMaster - 11/28/2006 10:40:31 PM

+1 Boost

the new CTS interior looks to be A LOT better, the DTS' interior really is bad. I think GM should sell off the unsuccessful brands and really to to put some quality in to Cadillac. It has a lot of potential, but right now, there aren't many reason to choose this over a BMW 5, RL, Infiniti M, Audi A6, or Merc E. Refinement, performance, overall feeling of QUALITY is better with these cars. The Infiniti maybe less than the others, but its reliability makes up for it.

three2four - 11/28/2006 11:06:37 PM

+2 Boost

StepYaGameUp what the hell are you talking about, the benz c320 has a worse interior than any current cadillac. Like gtracer1 said if benz's interiors are so good then how come they dont have the interior award of the year three years in a row. So take ya own advice and step ya game up and get outta that little bitch-ass ride(Mercedes C320).

StepYaGameUp - 11/29/2006 6:33:20 AM

-1 Boost

ROFL.. i didnt choose to get a mercedes c 320. it was a present from my parents fo rmy scholarship to college. However when i satrt working full-time, and look for a car, i wont be looking at cadilacs unless they step their interior game up form what is ee hear. I liek teh CTS v, but if the interior is uninviting and ugly as tehse, theres no shot. id stick with my LIL old c320(underrated in my opinion).
JUst a question .. would you rather buy a brand new 335i or an 2004 E55 amg?

StepYaGameUp - 11/29/2006 6:34:08 AM

0 Boost

SORRY for my horrible typing...

bmwdrvr - 11/29/2006 8:53:21 AM

0 Boost

to the person that keeps saying that a 2001 c class has a nicer interior than the cadillac sts, and dts get off the drugs.. the 2001 c class is cheap looking on the inside plenty of hard plastics all over, questionable quality, and no styling at all. i would never say this normally but its the truth the 2001 accord has a nicer interior than the 2001 c class. the 06 c class is far from the nicest in its class, and it is really towards the low end as far as plastics quality. i know you want to think your car is something special but its not..hopefully the new c class will have better materials than the current generation and last because other than the few pieces of wood, "and half leather half vinyl sets in a car that costs how much" the material quality is right in line with an economy car one from 99...

StepYaGameUp - 11/29/2006 10:10:44 AM

0 Boost

http://mercedes.jbcarpages.com/CClass/2001/Bilder/Bild9.php

i have a black/dark greyish interior WIth teh wood grain that contrats iwth teh dark interior color beuatifully.

Matthew1 - 11/29/2006 1:19:27 AM

0 Boost

And what are those switches above the driver's air vent in the DTS?

Talk about tacked on.

And Cadillac fans, I have no idea how Cadillac got any design awards for their interiors. Maybe it was for 'biggest improvement'.

Sadly, their 'improvements' have not done enough, they still look horribly dated.

And no, we are not saying that because it is a Cadillac. If Cadillac produced a really nice interior, I would certainly say so! That would be awesome to see them really step up their game.

They haven't yet, though.

Rupert - 11/29/2006 12:28:42 PM

-1 Boost

tacked on seems to be a fashion for many cars in america. lashings of chrome/wood/leather/buttons seem to be a remedy for everything.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/29/2006 6:30:07 PM

+1 Boost

The DTS's interior, minus the center stack, reminds me a lot of the LS430. I'm sure the materials aren't as nice blah blah blah, but the overall design (door panels, gearshift, etc) is very similar.

EL34 - 11/29/2006 7:34:36 PM

-1 Boost

I've always thought Playschool designed the dashes in GM cars with those big knobs, but I guess they're finally getting a clue as to what people want.

Matthew1 - 11/30/2006 12:56:04 AM

+1 Boost

At least PlaySkool plays cool.

Gm just can't Gee Emm.