2008 CADILLAC DTS 4.6L V8 4AT (279 HP)

Vehicle Overview

When it comes to the White House Presidential car, there are not too many options, and Cadillac was the main option. Lincoln had a bad history behind it.

The DTS was designed as the most important luxury American vehicle, a direct competitor for BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It was longer than both of them and exceeded even the full-size Cadillac Escalade SUV. Moreover, Cadillac offered the DTS as a coachbuilder chassis, as incomplete vehicles without rear doors, trunk lid, or rear window.

Cadillac introduced the DTS (DeVille Touring Sedan) in 2005 and upgraded it in 2008. It featured angular headlights. Its wide grille with chromed vertical and horizontal slats showed a luxury status. The front bumper featured a lower grille with horizontal slats, and the outer side installed fog lights. Its fenders provided a purposeful stance, and the profile was slightly wedge-shaped. The DTS featured standard 17” machined aluminum wheels, while 18-inch wheels were available.

Inside, Cadillac excelled in offering the utmost comfort possible for the rear passengers. It offered the DTS with either a short or a long wheelbase and room for up to six passengers. The center console between the bucket seats housed the shifter and a storage compartment on the five-seat option.

Cadillac installed the Northstar V8 engine under the hood, paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, which sent the power to the front axle. The carmaker included a magnetic ride control for the shocks on the options list.