New Car Cadillac Rolls Out Platinum Series DTS and STS for 2008

New Car Cadillac Rolls Out Platinum Series DTS and STS for 2008

Cadillac released some of the details of its 2008 lineup on Wednesday, but it is still playing it close to the vest with specifics about the upcoming Escalade Hybrid. It confirmed that the Escalade Hybrid will make its debut "midway through the 2008 calendar year" but said details will be released at a later date. The Escalade Hybrid will get a two-mode gas-electric hybrid system, Cadillac said.

Cadillac is rolling out its Platinum Series through a greater number of models for 2008. A DTS Platinum edition and an STS Platinum edition join the Escalade Platinum Series and the XLR Platinum Series. The 2008 Cadillac DTS Platinum gets such upgrades as "handcrafted interior and additional elegant touches," Cadillac said. The 2008 Cadillac STS Platinum gets a Glacier Gold exterior color, bright chrome inserts on the exterior door handles, and platinum badging. Cadillac said details of the 2008 Escalade Platinum will be released later in the year. The 2008 XLR Platinum Series gets a handcrafted leather interior.

The 2008 Cadillac STS will have a new 302-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 as standard. GM's lane departure warning system is also available on the 2008 STS. The 2008 Cadillac DTS offers two new optional safety technologies: lane departure warning and a side blind zone alert system.

Cadillac will roll out the 2008 Alpine White Limited Edition XLR later this year. It features a chrome grille and 18-inch chrome wheels. The limited-edition model will be built from December 2007 through February 2008 and is the successor to the 2007 Passion Red XLR. For the new model year, the XLR has a heated steering wheel and what Cadillac calls an "improved" version of Magnetic Ride Control.

Cadillac said the redesigned 2008 CTS will launch in late summer with a new 304-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.