Cadillac Coy About Reports of 2012 Cadillac XTS in Works

DETROIT — Cadillac on Wednesday tiptoed around a new report from Motor Trend that says GM has given the green light to a production version of the big XTS Platinum sedan concept that debuted at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show and would ostensibly become the brand's new flagship for the 2012 model year.

It was clear when the all-wheel-drive XTS Platinum concept debuted that it was designed to provide insight into what Cadillac is envisioning for its future products, inside and out. The concept is a plug-in hybrid with a minimalist-looking instrument panel that takes its cues from cell phones and MP3 players. One Cadillac insider told Inside Line at the time that the concept was "not a dream car" but headed for reality.

But Cadillac was careful not to commit to anything on Wednesday.

"We intend to produce a car that's in a class above the [Cadillac] CTS. Period," said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell in a phone conversation with Inside Line. "How much of it will be like the [XTS] concept, I can't talk about. We're obviously developing new products, including something above the CTS."

When asked if the XTS Platinum got the green light for production, Caldwell replied: "I don't think anything has taken place there."

In a subsequent conversation, Cadillac spokesman Nick Twork said: "We've made no such announcement. [But] we don't do things that we don't actually consider doing."

He added: "All of our concepts are rooted in something we could do."

The speculation focuses on the XTS replacing both the aging Cadillac STS and DTS. But, Caldwell said, "nothing imminent is happening" with those two models. "There will be a 2011 model year for both of those cars," he said. "Nothing is on the immediate horizon with those cars."

The XTS Platinum concept has a 3.6-liter direct-injection gasoline engine and plug-in hybrid propulsion system that delivers an estimated 350 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque.

Source: Indiacar.com Source : http://www.insideline.com (3/24/2010)