Platinum Series Cadillac XLR, STS and DTS

Cadillac will be launching its new limited edition Platinum Series range of cars at this week's L.A. Auto Show, with cars that feature even more luxury and quality than the label's regular models. Just as Cadillac’s V-series extended the brand's credentials into the performance arena, the Platinum Series aims to do the same in the luxury direction and promote Caddy's return to hand-crafted interiors.

The Platinum models feature premium details such as chrome accents, authentic wood and luxurious upholstery, as well as Cadillac's build process that has its craftsmen cut, wrap and sew cabin components individually.

The three cars that get the Platinum touch are the XLR roadster, STS and DTS sedans. The roadster gets its own 15-spoke, 18in wheels, a brighter chrome grille, an exclusive Liquid Amethyst paint-job and olive ash burl wood and Alcantara trim inside. The cars will be available in showrooms sometime in the first quarter of next year.

Click ahead for our high-res gallery and the official press release.

PRESS RELEASE:

THE PLATINUM SERIES:

CADILLAC EXTENDS ITS LUXURY TRADITION WITH LIMITED-EDITION VERSIONS OF XLR ROADSTER, AND STS, DTS SEDANS

LOS ANGELES – An elegant tradition of hand-crafted luxury is being redefined for a new generation, as Cadillac today introduces the Platinum Series for the XLR roadster and STS and DTS sedans. The Platinum Series is a limited-edition collection of vehicles including additional elegant design touches, and continues Cadillac's reinvention of its interior styling and appointments.

Cadillac's landmark V-series extended the brand's credentials into the elite-level performance arena. Now the Platinum Series aims to do the same in the luxury direction. The vehicles were inspired by the very popular Escalade ESV Platinum that was offered between the 2004 and 2006 model years and introduced many new luxury features to the luxury SUV marketplace.

"The Platinum Series is a natural addition to the Cadillac brand, extending the luxury appeal of our products," said Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor. "Platinum also joins the new 2007 SRX and our V-Series cars as examples of Cadillac's return to hand-crafted interiors, an important addition to the ongoing renaissance of the brand."

Cadillac's limited-edition Platinum models feature ultra-premium details such as a generous use of chrome, authentic wood and luxurious upholstery, as well as Cadillac's precision hand-crafted interiors, executed by craftsmen who cut, wrap and sew cabin components individually.

Here's a look at Cadillac's 2007 Platinum portfolio:

XLR Platinum

The XLR roadster has taken a starring role in Cadillac's new emphasis on dramatic styling and serious performance. Now the XLR Platinum maximizes the elegance of Cadillac's entry into the elite club of luxury roadsters.

XLR Platinum features exclusive 15-spoke, 18-inch wheels, with a brighter chrome finish for the grille and an exclusive Liquid Amethyst exterior color and exclusive Platinum badge.

Inside, the XLR Platinum features appointments such as authentic olive ash burl wood and a Cashmere interior color. The instrument panel "upper," and door trim feature hand cut, sewn and wrapped leather. Other cabin appointments include olive ash burl wood inserts on the steering wheel and luxurious Alcantara suede headliner, visors and pillars, and additional Platinum badging on the sill plate.

The Cadillac XLR Platinum will be available in the first quarter of 2007.

STS Platinum

The STS Platinum sedan extends the luxurious look and feel of the STS with elements such as 18-inch chrome-finish wheels; a brighter chrome-finish grille; a Glacier Gold exterior finish; bright chrome inserts on the exterior door handles and Platinum badging.

On the inside, STS Platinum features hand-cut, sewn and wrapped instrument panel, door trim and center console areas. The seats are fully leather, a semi-aniline variety called Tuscany . Luxury touches include chrome accents on the instrument panel and doors, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, olive ash burl wood accents with a saddle-stained shade, premium floor mats and a Platinum badge of the door sill. STS Platinum comes in either a Cocoa over Cashmere or an Ebony interior color scheme.

The Cadillac STS Platinum will be available in the first quarter of 2007, in either the V-6 or Northstar V-8-powered versions of the car.

DTS Platinum

The Cadillac DTS Platinum goes to dramatic new lengths with 18-inch wheels, bright chrome grille and chrome inserts on the exterior door handles, as well as a Platinum badge, all of which highlight the Ebony exterior finish.

A unique Light Linen over Cocoa interior is distinguished by olive ash burl wood with decorative inlay; semi-aniline-dyed Tuscany leather upholstery and hand-cut-and-sewn leather on the instrument panel, console and door trim.

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

The Cadillac DTS Platinum will be available in August of 2007.

Cadillac (www.cadillac.com) is a division of General Motors (NYSE: GM). GM, the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM has manufacturing operations in 33 countries . In 2005, GM sold 9.17 million cars and trucks globally, under the following brand names: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com