Drew Dowdell

"Domestic" in this case refers to all of Europe much like we in the U.S. would consider the Impala a domestic even though it's built in Canada. To people in the EU, where it's built is more important than the nationality of the brand. People in the EU will buy from the EU before buying import. Hence your Spanish made Fiesta and Focus. If the XTS were sold in the EU badged as an Opel but built in Oshawa it wouldn't do as well as if it were badged as a Cadillac but built in Frankfurt. The day they start importing Insignias from Canada into the EU, the Insignia will lose it's status there. edit: and I don't disagree about the STS's handling, but that wasn't because it was FWD... as the Audi proves.

They didn't even have one at the show that I recall.

The '97-'04 Seville also didn't have: 1. hybrid V6 2. didn't have AWD and the Europeans are scared $h!less of FWD like some of you folks here, so that wasn't the issue. Audi sells nearly all of its models in Europe with just FWD. 3. didn't have the interior the XTS has I think it had more to do with the fact that Europeans are much more attune to what buying imported products does to their economy. There was a huge stink a few years ago about former West German manufacturing jobs moving to former East Germany in search of cheaper labor. If they kicked up that much fuss about jobs moving elsewhere inside the same country do you really think they are going to be lining up for a car build in Oshawa, Ontario or Hamtramak Michigan?

Let me say, without reservations, that the backup system is standard because it's necessary.

Awesome vid!

There are still two more shows this season, don't count GM out yet.

The RDV could also have the 3.6HF

Truth!

My plans are already set in stone. Realistically, the earliest I could be there is probably 10:30 to 11. I'll be coming from North NJ

because no one will be taking the XTS... or LS... or A8... or 7-Series...or S-Class... out for a spin on the Nurburgring after church.

Makes a big difference how?

I'm guessing a B-body.

I know of a barn in south eastern PA that recently had a few spaces open up.

closest without going over. [img]http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Technology/images/the-price-is-right-bob-barker.jpg[/img]

Most people in the target market for the LS... or even the 7-series... will never be in an opportunity to test the end of the XTS's abilities. My 80 year old grandmother drives a 7-series... she's on her second one after 3 Buick Park Aves, an Oldsmobile 88 and the car that got me into cars in the first place, a 1978 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser diesel. Think she cares about driving dynamics? Her big objection is having to get the tires changed over twice a year, something she never needed on her Park Ave. edit: It didn't occur to me until just now how bad it was that she went to the 7-series after the Park Ave. She did that after my grandfather died. My grandfather owned an OEM supplier the supplied Ford and GM.

I've never had a problem with "FWD proportions" like those displayed on such notible front drivers as the Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Thunderbird, and final generation F-bodies. Then again, "RWD proportions" can be attractive too as the RWD Mini-Cooper, Scion TC, and Acura Vigor clearly show.

It's really difficult to take the rest of what you say seriously when you type that. The LS is beautiful? eh.. understated, restrained, handsome, and well bolted together maybe... but beautiful? That's a bit of a stretch..... Beauty implies some distinction over others. That said, I'm not implying that any others in this class are beautiful, XTS included.

It's the standard GM 2-mode that has 4 fixed ratios and 2 E-CVTs