Detroit 2010: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

With the whole "Breakthrough" program, Cadillac started to make some real progress. It began a renaissance of new cars that started with the CTS. The 2005 STS proved to be a miss, but the actual product was highly impressive.

Despite being positioned wrongly versus the 3-Series, the fact that it was a good product seemed to make up for it. Then the front-wheel drive SRX crossover followed, begging the question if Cadillac was really going to be a BMW competitor or a Lexus competitor?

Enthusiasts hopes were further dashed when word came that Cadillac would be making its flagship vehicle based on the a FWD platform. Enter, the XTS Platinum Concept.

It seems like Cadillac is listening - instead of FWD, the XTS Platinum is instead all-wheel drive, signaling Cadillac's intention to provide its flagship sedan with a bit more panache. The latest AWD systems are able to direct a large percentage of power to the back wheels, giving the impression of rear-wheel drive.

For now, the XTS is really a stopgap until the brand gets around to deciding if they will produce a suitable RWD sedan. For a stopgap though, it is good - very good.

The exterior doesn't break new styling ground, but continues on with Cadillac's Art & Science theme. In particular, the car from the rear is pretty impressive. It does a pretty good job of hiding its Epsilon underpinnings, and the fact that General Motors was able to build a Cadillac on the platform shows it has impressive versatility.

While the exterior doesn't break new ground, the interior is the exact opposite. The huge strides that GM has made in interior design here are quite evident. Attention to detail abounds in things like the car's door handles, laser-etched surfaces and that stunning center vent.

The whole interior manages to have a retro-Cadillac vibe while still integrating the latest in modern technology. Organic Light-Emitting Diode (O-LED) screens feature, replacing all but the most basic of traditional controls. Literally, there isn't anything we'd change in here. GM design is back!

Design could just be the saving grace here. With the right feature set, all-wheel drive and a competitive V-6 powertrain, we just might be able to overlook the car's humble underpinnings.

If all Cadillacs display the level of attention to detail and design seen here,  the future is looking bright indeed. We hear the car looks even better in person as well. Now just hurry up with it! This car can't come soon enough. The XTS is slated to go into production in early 2012, so there's about two years to go.