1. What’s the design philosophy behind the all-new XT5?
We have a consistent approach to all new Cadillacs, including the XT5, which establishes a new, progressive proportion for the brand with its agile stance and confident face.
The surfaces are sculpted with lines that are lean, tensioned, and sophisticated. Spaciousness and modern luxury craftsmanship also define the Cadillac XT5 — achieved through the artistic integration of technology, innovative use of genuine materials, and exquisite fit and finish.
2. Your personal thoughts about the XT5 — is this one of your best designs yet?
Designing a car is a team effort. I think that the team did a great job of evolving Cadillac and following up on one of our most successful models ever. We selected the theme immediately, and created a sketch capturing Cadillac’s new surface language and light signature exceptionally well. The overall design strikes a nice balance of sculptural, liquid organic shapes and crisp creases.
To achieve this balance is a difficult thing to do — it requires a steady hand and a level of restraint. We continued this sophisticated sculptural artistry inside of the car with curated environments that we feel have never before been offered in this highly-competitive segment.
3. Given that the UAE and regional market are big on crossovers and awareness levels are generally high, why do you think the XT5 will click with regional buyers?
We are very excited to launch the first-ever XT5 in this region, which has one of the highest market penetration rates for crossovers. Designers love the opportunity to create from a clean sheet of paper, and the XT5 was a great canvas to work with. The XT5 features an all-new platform and some of the most advanced power trains in the business. The Cadillac XT5 is designed, engineered, and manufactured to appeal to customers seeking sophistication, craftsmanship, refinement, and a bold symbol of arrival.
5. With luxury a critical factor for the UAE buyer, what does the all new XT5 offer in terms of refinement in this segment? In what way does the XT5 plan to revolutionise crossovers?
The XT5’s interior is luxury personified — it offers spaciousness, elegance and effortless operation. The surface sculpture and unique combination of genuine leather, metal, carbon fibre and wood, invite discovery and engage the senses. We have elevated everything the driver touches and interfaces with. We basically wanted to offer qualities valued by UAE customers.
6. The SRX was one of the most popular and bestselling vehicles from the Cadillac stables. How different is the XT5 from the SRX and why were the changes made? Were you comfortable tweaking/replacing an already popular product? The XT5 is completely new. We collaborated with our partners in Engineering and Manufacturing to offer the most sophisticated and refined crossover ever. We also made sure it was unmistakably Cadillac. The XT5 is a tailored combination of bold American design and exquisite craftsmanship; we used our technical prowess and advancements achieved from our lightweight and agile luxury cars and fine-tuned them to fit the specific needs and desires of the crossover customer.
7. What were the challenges you faced from a designer’s point of view when creating the new XT5?
The XT5 is the first crossover to wear Cadillac’s new XT nomenclature and support the brand’s product-driven growth. Needless to say, during the creation process, momentum and creativity in the Cadillac studios were at an all-time high. The brand’s past has always been about the future and so our design language and aesthetic continue to evolve. Designing any Cadillac requires a level of restraint; you need to know when it is time to put the brush down and contrast that with your desire to continue to progress the brand. As stewards of this iconic 113-year-old luxury brand, we relish this incredible opportunity and responsibility.
8. Give us some details on the tie-up with Public School.
Cadillac is offering a fresh approach to what it means to be a patron of the arts. Public School adopts a bold and daring approach in a highly-competitive industry — they continue to push the boundaries of their art with a spirit of optimism.
9. The XT5 was flown over New York as part of a promo. Considering Dubai’s love for all things over the top, do we have something similar lined up for the Dubai launch at the show?
The New York event was certainly unexpected: it really had people talking about the car. Launching the car officially in Dubai underscores our global focus. I will not spoil it for those who will be there to see it. All I will say is this: just make sure that you are there at the Dubai International Motor Show and are part of the unveiling of this brand-new Cadillac.
