Tempe Autoplex

Cadillac unveiled the 2013 XTS, the newest addition to the Cadillac luxury sedan lineup. It arrives in showrooms in the spring of 2012 as the most technologically advanced production car in the brand?s history.

Larger than the CTS, the new XTS delivers the space, elegance and dramatic presence that are Cadillac signatures, but with entirely new and technically advanced methods tuned for a new generation of luxury customers. It also marks the debut of CUE, a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and media data.

In addition to the CUE interface and connectivity, many other advanced technologies are integral to the new XTS. It will be the only luxury sedan with standard Magnetic Ride Control ? the world?s fastest-reacting suspension. Advanced technologies that enhance vision are available as well.

Positioned directly above the centerpiece CTS family in Cadillac?s revamped lineup, the new XTS features a 3.6L direct injection engine and advanced all-wheel drive system, marking a shift to more-efficient performance in a spacious luxury sedan.

?The Cadillac XTS represents a new formula for luxury, driven by advanced technology,? said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing. ?XTS showcases the evolution of our Art & Science philosophy, merging the best technical ideas with the continued refinement of Cadillac design.?

Cadillac CUE is the highly customizable user interface that exemplifies XTS? blend of advanced technology and artistic design. The heart of CUE, which stands for Cadillac User Experience, is the standard eight-inch (203 mm) screen in the ?center stack,? the faceplate below the screen and the steering wheel controls. CUE features several industry firsts, including capacitive-touch control with proximity sensing, gesture recognition and natural voice recognition.

Available exclusively on the XTS is the 12.3-inch (312 mm) reconfigurable cluster. It features vibrant graphic displays showcased among four driver-selectable themes, ranging from minimal to extensive information. And while it is the prominent element in the XTS? technological character, CUE is part of a more comprehensive and layered approach to the car?s design, capabilities and performance

?The more you look, the more layers you see in XTS,? said Butler. ?They aren?t always apparent to the eye, but they build on one another in important ways to reinforce the car?s strength of design, comfort and driving experience.?  For more information, check out Coulter Motor Company at the Tempe Autoplex.

With press days for the Detroit Auto Show now behind us, our focus is shifting eastwards. Make that Far East, as the tuners have rolled in for the Tokyo Auto Salon, where Nissan performance tuning arm Nismo has taken on its third compact and given it an attitude adjustment.

Following the recent debuts of the Leaf Nismo and Juke Nismo comes this March Nismo, based on the small hatchback also known as the Micra or (in Taiwan) as the Verita. Nismo has given it a enhanced sportiness through lightweight wheels, updated grille and aero kit, new door mirrors and sportier seats and steering wheel inside.

It’s all capped by a pearl white finish with red highlights, but while the Nismo parts catalog is sure to offer bolt-ons for the March, this particular configuration is strictly a concept. Find out more about this and other great Nissans at Power Nissan of Tempe in the Tempe Autoplex.

The All New XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is an electric car, a highly economical hybrid and a powerful high-performance car all rolled into one. The preferred driving mode is chosen via three buttons on the instrument panel: Pure, Hybrid or Power.