Cadillac isn’t saying what the car in this teaser picture released this morning is, but it’s likely to reveal the brand’s new flagship saloon currently known as XTS, the name used inside GM.
If that proves accurate, it takes the new saloon a step closer to production, probably as a 2012 model, when it would replace Cadillac’s US market STS and DTS. Neither of these models have fared well in the hotly competitive luxury market.
See the Cadillac concept picture in hi-res
The XTS will continue the Art and Science design language used most notably in the smaller CTS, but will feature a more elegant and less edgy overall shape. It will bring a definite move up-market from the current STS, but maintain that car’s rear-wheel-drive layout.
Cadillac will also use the Detroit show to reveal its latest performance model, the CTS V Coupe.
If it follows the path of the CTS V saloon, the two-door will be powered by a supercharged, Corvette-derived LSA 6.2-litre V8, which produces 548bhp and 551lb ft of torque. Expect a 0-60mph time of under 4 seconds and a top speed – for the manual transmission model – of at least 191mph.
Caddy is expected to use both the XTS and new CTS Coupe to help it expand overseas, particularly in the fast-growing Chinese market.
The car will go on sale next summer.
Paul Eisenstein
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