Spy Shots: Production Provoq, a.k.a. the Cadillac BRX

click above to view more spy shots of the Cadillac BRX

With the introduction of the Cadillac Provoq Concept at CES last week, we believe the design of Cadillac's upcoming little CUV is quite out of the bag. Compare these spy shots of what is believed to be a Cadillac BRX prototype to our shots of the Provoq Concept from this week's Detroit Auto Show. Pretty similar, right? This leads us to the conclusion that the Provoq Concept essentially is the BRX.

While the Provoq is technically an E-Flex concept that uses a series hybrid drivetrain in conjunction with a hydrogen fuel cell, the production version would most likely share engines with its Theta platform-mate, the Saturn Vue use the direct-inject version of GM's 3.6L V6 with over 300 hp, though that could be wishful thinking on our part. Otherwise, expect the non-direct-inject version of the same engine to be offered, and possibly mild and two-mode hybrid versions down the road.

Spy photographers from KGP attempt to justify their guess that this vehicle is indeed the Cadillac BRX by pointing out its seven-spoke wheels, the downward-sloping character line on the side, the outline of vertical taillamps out back, chrome trim around the side windows, etc. (you can read their report after the jump), but we think it's fairly obvious.

NOTE: Thanks to some commenters, we remembered that Saab has confirmed its upcoming 9-4X crossover will share a brand new platform with the upcoming Cadillac BRX, which means the Cadillac BRX will not be built on the same Theta platform as the Saturn Vue.

[Photos: KGP Photography]

From KGP Photography:

We just got a much closer look at a prototype for GM's latest Theta-based crossover, and the best evidence still points to this being the Cadillac BRX. Our first sighting of this prototype came from long distance with a very long lens. Now some of this prototype's key design features are more clearly visible

This latest prototype displays many Cadillac cues: first off is a chrome-outlined side-window-profile, an obviously upscale touch that resembles the newest CTS. The prototype also features a side character line that starts high at the C-pillar, and heads downward as it progresses toward the front fender--another signature Cadillac design touch featured prominently on the CTS, STS and XLR (and also on the Provoq concept). The door handles follow the same downward path, just as they do in the second-generation of Cadillac's design pallete. The wheels also feature a seven-spoke design, which is a common Caddy trait, but are found nowhere else in GM's current lineup (which consist of primarily six- and five-spoke designs). Finally, the rear light clusters seem to show a very sharp vertical edge beneath the camouflage that has some resemblance to the Provoq concept's sharp, fin-like tail-light design.

We first spotted this prototype in early November. In mid-December, a new wrinkle was added to the story with reports that GMC would also be getting a Theta spin-off to accompany the Saturn Vue in 2009. And the arrival of Cadillac's Provoq concept--which features several design cues that alternately match, and differ from this prototype--admittedly muddy the waters a bit on this prototype's actual identity. The main difference between the concept and this production model, however, reside in the pillarless side window design, which is most likely not feasible for production. Hence, we would expect a different B-, C-, and D-pillar design for the production BRX--which is what we see in this prototype. Given that, and the other Cadillac cues that appear to be in play, we think this is our best look yet at Cadillac's new BRX crossover.