The 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum Series Sedan - A Closer Look

The 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum Sedan 

 A True Return To The Luxury Sedan

Dedicated to my brother Rudy...motivation

                As of late there have been a lot of changes within the auto industry. Especially it seems over the last few decades. Several new genres of vehicles roam the streets now that didn't even exist a few years ago. To sum up the point quickly, we have a 4-door Porsche! Enough said.

              Of course all of these new styles and types of vehicles are great additions to the auto industry overall. But as it so often does, progress steps over into tradition. I say so because although it seems that most of the car buyers today are in fact big fans of the new eco-friendly Hybrids cruising the streets today. The idea of saving the planet while also being more industrially-responsible is a great one indeed, as with all other things, in proportion. Should progress hold a sweet spot for tradition? Which brings about another question...What happened to traditional full-length luxury? Is it still okay to move about on 8-Cylinders, in style?

          Just because we have become a more Eco-conscious society does not mean we have to forgo luxury. As inconsiderate as it may seem there are still some auto purist, traditionalist at heart that still and will always seek the un-compromised full-length ride of the luxury of the luxury sedan. For certain times...special times in life when arrival does in fact “set the overall tone”. When what you arrive in does matter.. Unfortunately luxury, true luxury simply cannot be adequately obtained on a budget. It can however be experienced at a reasonable price...that experience is solely called the 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum Sedan. The true return to the full-size luxury sedan.

        

        The TT Platinum Edition is by all means considered a special edition due to the extras thrown in. Elegant extras such as all-wheel drive, the 410-hp engine, a color head-up display, adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic braking assist, hands-free keyless entry, articulating HID headlights, 20-inch wheels, a Bose 14-speaker sound system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and navigation. General Motors did a great job in disguising a $120,000 Sedan as a $60,000 Sedan. Fortunately being American does still has its perks! So let's take a look at the new kid on the block.

As the title suggest the 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum edition is the much anticipated return to the “full' size luxury sedan. If the infamous Gas/Oil shortage of the 1980's showed us one thing clearly, it was that you can't compromise luxury, it has to be full-size. There just is no other way. Both a formal and casual mode of transportation, the Cadillac XTS TT Platinum edition is more than adequate transportation...in the name of pure luxury. Luxury can be and always has been summed up in 3 simple categories;

• Power/Performance
• Styling/Comfort
• Safety

So let's take a closer look at all three in relation to the all-new Cadillac XTS TT Platinum Edition. A complete full-sized luxury Cadillac offered by General Motors for 2014.

           Power/Performance – Maybe one of the most powerful engines ever placed under the hood of a Cadillac. The well-tested much proven 3.6L 410 HP Twin Turbo Direct Injection V6. A specially designed power plant designed to display enormous amounts of power in near silence moving the XTS and its passengers comfortably about from desired point A to B quickly, quietly and comfortably. This newly developed developed Twin-Turbo forces the XTS from 0-60 in under 5 seconds, all of course in the name of luxury. The 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum Edition exhibits the perfect mixture of power and performance. Like a talented yet unknown boxer the XTS was released and after satisfying both consumers and critics alike, shot straight to the top.

 

The 2014 XTS is only allowed to operate at such extreme speeds due in large part to it massive stopping power. As we all know its much easier to get to something started than it is to stop it. Which is why stopping the XTS falls solely to its world-renowned “BREMBO” Braking system. Capable of bringing the XTS to complete stop in less than 115 feet.

        

  Styling/Comfort – XTS the Platinum Collection, a supple collection of Hi-Grade top quality leather and wood perfectly situated within the cabin. Both elegantly highlighted by the ambient interior cabin lighting. The Platinum edition includes a nicely situated Sun-roof that adequately accepts Springtime and fully repels Fall. As a Cadillac by nature the XTS has to exceed all expectations when it comes to Comfort and Styling as well. Fortunately this has been met and exceeded in the 2014 Cadillac XTS. Inside, the interior of the XTS is ergonomically inclined to produce mobile comfort. The cabin touches each passenger independently. Each passenger is allowed to reach their own ambient comfort level as the Tri-Zone climate control system allows. Comfort is redefined as the XTS Dual-Mode Magnetic Ride Control Suspension seamlessly integrates both the itself and the road together as one.

At first glance the exterior is simply break-taking. The well placed accents of chrome do a great job of signifying the type of luxury at hand. Perfectly displaced on the 20' polished rims and tires the XTS seems ready to both move instantly and display represent beauty at a perfect standstill. The external features have been very well integrated into the overall design presented by Cadillac. As Tradition dictates this Cadillac is very sexy both inside and out. Yet the XTS is much more than a car, the Cadillac XTS TT Platinum edition is an intelligent machine capable of interacting with its both its driver and passengers. An intelligent exchange between man and machine.

          

       

  Safety – Let's start by building on a successful past. By that I mean the 2013 Cadillac XTS we must remember did in fact receive the well coveted “5-Star Overall Vehicle Score for safety. Our Governments highest possible auto safety rating on any level. Since General Motors only made improvements on the XTS we can only assume it will again obtain the same rating. The 2014 comes standard with 10 Air bags along with a host of other safety features which of course makes this by definition a Cadillac. Maybe the most innovative of all the features is the GM Cadillac exclusive Safety Seat Alert. The system a true innovation on many levels works in tandem with other visual alerts. The system was designed with a singular purpose to quickly and accurately focus driver attention immediately in the direction of potential dangers. The Driver Awareness Package, available for the launch of the Cadillac XTS this spring, includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Cadillac is clearly making strides in innovation in science of automotive safety. Another innovative feature of the XTS are the exterior cameras. Drivers can see the outside of the car along with dynamic parking guides on the eight-inch LCD screen, located on the center instrument panel. As the car backs up, the seat provides a few quick pulses to both sides of the seat when an object is first detected directly behind the car, and then provides repeated pulses when an object is closer. Meanwhile, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert system looks for approaching cross traffic behind the vehicle that is signaled with either left or right pulses to the driver. All done in the name of safety, Cadillac safety.

                                      

Cadillac Connectivity – Now that technology has finally allowed us to integrate our communications and entertainment into our transportation. Cadillac has decided to use the XTS as a prime example of just how far technology can go to aid man in his quest for technological superiority. Cadillac has chosen several ways in which to keep its XTS connected in every way. The highlight of the Connectivity is the CUE system. Through voice recognition and touch screen command the XTS allows occupants to program into up to 10 Blue Tooth settings. Voice command allows one to place calls, select music all via voice command. CUE is fully operated via an 8' touch screen situated ambidextrously in the center console. In fact the the XTS is operated overall from the 8' touchscreen. The base of its technological features. The XTS is intended to reciprocate with its passengers to increase comfort, performance and safety at every instance.

From an entertainment perspective the combination of the Bose 14-Speaker Systems along with the Sirius Radio option is enough to provide adequate top of the line entertainment, the absolute utmost in mobile amusement. Rear Seat Entertainment, consist of a set of 8' flip screens w/wireless headphones and remote controls and of course Blu-Ray compatible. Each unit operates both in unison as well as independently of each other.

A Cadillac Conclusion

                 This is it, the 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum series sedan is in fact a true bonafide return to the full-sized luxury sedan, thank you. Understandably we are fully engulfed in a social eco-conscious environment were every other car on the streets today is going to be tiny, economical, fuel efficient, uncomfortable. It is good to know there is still a savior for those that still treasure a nice ride, at all cost. The XTS fortunately offers a a nice ride, at all cost, reasonable cost by getting a scientifically displaced 18/24 MPG from its Twin Turbo V6.

            So no matter what changes occur within the automotive industry it seems the Luxury Sedan will remain a long standing staple of the industry. There are it seems those enthusiast that still enjoy purely getting from point A to point B, in comfort, style and grace. All of which is clearly meant to be appreciated in and about the 2014 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum Sedan. A truly bonafide $120,000 experience neatly disguised in a $60,000 package. So if you don’t' want to spend ten of thousands on expensive repairs due to a short warranty-life or worse pay twice as much if not more for the small hard leather seats (that come full-blown standard in most if not all German-made luxury sedans). Then go ahead and pick up an XTS for a fraction of the price of most Sedans currently in its class, and with a much better warranty-life. This is General Motors at its finest, the '14 Cadillac XTS TT Platinum the lone representative of true full-sized luxury.