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DTS Platinum

The DTS Platinum continues to provide a distinctly higher level of premium luxury, with enhanced styling including 18-inch chromed wheels, bright chrome grille and chrome inserts on the exterior door handle lift bars, as well as an exclusive Platinum badge. It features the Northstar 4.6L V-8, rated at 292-horsepower (218 kW), and other performance-oriented features such as Magnetic Ride Control and Performance Algorithm shifting.

A choice of two unique interiors, Light Linen over Cocoa or all-Ebony, are distinguished by light ash burl wood with decorative inlay, Tuscany full leather upholstery and hand-cut-and-sewn leather on the instrument panel top pad, console and door trim. French seams on the door panel inserts are additional details that add a touch of luxury.

This extensive luxury package extends underfoot and even to the trunk, with unique floor mats and a richer trunk mat made of upgraded materials. A sunroof and DVD navigation system are standard, as is LED interior ambient footwell lighting. A headrest-mounted rear DVD audio/video system is available.

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

DTS-L

Introduced in 2007 and based on the DTS livery sedan, the DTS-L is a long-wheelbase model that provides a great choice for executive transport customers and those who seek more privacy in the rear passenger area. It is eight inches (315 mm) longer than the standard DTS (extension completed by a certified Cadillac Master Coachbuilder) and, with the added length inserted behind the rear doors, provides an executive privacy seating position. The rear-seat passengers are concealed behind the C-pillar, rearward of the side windows.

The DTS-L is equipped with the 275-horsepower (205 kW) 4.6L Northstar V-8 engine and is available with most of the DTS' luxury features, including heated and cooled driver and passenger front seats with memory settings; heated rear outboard seats; rear four-way power lumbar controls and adjustable headrests; Adaptive Remote Start; OnStar; XM Satellite Radio; DVD navigation and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Lane Departure Warning system

The the Lane Departure Warning system uses a camera located between the inside rearview mirror and the windshield to detect lane markings on the road and alert drivers when they inadvertently stray from the lane.

When Lane Departure Warning System is engaged, a driver traveling at 35 mph or more who crosses a detected lane marking without signaling is alerted in two ways: The system's telltale light flashes amber, and an alerting sound of three beeps is played. The system is designed to alert drivers so they can take appropriate action to move the vehicle back into the lane.

A distinguishing feature of Cadillac's lane departure system over competitive systems is a telltale light with the "LDW" symbol that indicates whether the system is ready to assist the driver. If the light is green, the system is able to detect lane markings and provide alerts. If the light is off, it will not. To avoid nuisance alerts, the system is designed to not provide an alert if the turn signal is on or if the driver makes a sharp maneuver.

Side Blind Zone Alert system

Side Blind Zone Alert uses radar sensors behind the rear fascia on both sides of the vehicle that signal an audible and visual alert if objects are detected in "blind zones."

Alternating radar beams in GM's Side Blind Zone Alert system "sweep" adjacent areas, covering a zone of about one lane over from both sides of the vehicle, or 11 feet (3.5 m). The zone starts at each side mirror and goes back about 16 feet (5 m).

When the system is engaged, a driver will know that following vehicles in the adjacent lanes are entering their side blind zone when an amber symbol, located in the outside rearview mirror, is illuminated. The system is not designed to detect vehicles outside of the side blind zone that may be rapidly approaching, or detect pedestrians, bicyclists or animals. It's designed to ignore infrastructure such as fire hydrants or parked cars. In addition, the system displays do not come on while the vehicle is approaching or passing other vehicles.

Powertrain Details

The DTS is equipped with the technologically advanced Northstar 4.6L V-8 engine and mated to the Hydra-Matic 4T80 four-speed automatic transmission - a proven combination that assures powerful, sophisticated performance.

The Northstar 4.6L V-8 engine is available in two configurations: the 292-horsepower (218 kW) L37 and the 275-horsepower (205 kW) LD8. The L37 version is responsive, with more peak horsepower. The LD8 puts more emphasis on quick launch and part-throttle response with greater peak torque.

Refined Chassis and Magnetic Ride Control

The DTS chassis combines performance and luxury capabilities to a degree never before reached on a full-size Cadillac sedan. Chassis tuning on the four-wheel independent suspension systems achieves a smooth, quiet, refined ride. The DTS features a front cradle design, with the engine mounted to the cradle, and the cradle mounted to the body rails.

Integrated chassis control technologies include four-channel anti-lock brakes and traction control, four-channel StabiliTrak with Brake Assist, and Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). Pioneered on Cadillac STS and XLR, MRC is the world's fastest reacting suspension, controlling body motions to a precise degree.

MRC provides electronically controlled, magnetic-fluid based real-time damping. It uses four wheel-to-body displacement sensors to measure wheel motion over the road surface and responds by adjusting the shock damping at speeds approaching one millisecond.

The system's secret is the magneto-rheological fluid contained in its dampers, replacing traditional mechanical valves. Suspended in this fluid are tiny iron particles that respond to an electromagnetic charge. A revised piston profile introduced in '08 improves damping capability and decreases shock temperatures, resulting in improved ride and handling.

Safety Features

The DTS is equipped with a host of safety and security features, beginning with its body frame integral (BFI) construction; strategically engineered crumple zones in front and rear; and comprehensive use of high-strength steel. The vehicle's crashworthiness is enhanced with structural foam and nylon structural inserts strategically placed in areas of the vehicle's structure.

The DTS has six standard air bags, including an industry-first dual depth front passenger air bag and GM's passenger sensing system. The GM co-patented technology deploys either a small or large air bag depending upon crash severity, seat belt usage and seat position. Additional standard features include a dual-stage driver frontal air bag, roof-rail curtain air bags, and front-seat side-impact thorax air bags.

The DTS is manufactured at GM's award-winning Detroit Hamtramck assembly facility. In addition to its availability in the U.S. and Canada, the DTS is exported for sale in Mexico, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Cadillac DTS: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications