Report: Cadillac XTS confirmed for production

Back in January, we watched as Cadillac took the wraps off of its big XTS Platinum sedan concept under the Detroit Auto Show lights. And while parent company General Motors insisted on slapping the word "concept" behind the car's name, we were pretty sure that the XTS we saw in Cobo Hall was very close to being production-ready.

Now, a new report from Motor Trend states that GM has, in fact, given the Cadillac XTS the go-ahead. When it hits the streets, the XTS will replace both the aging STS and DTS in the Cadillac lineup, and will feature a plug-in hybrid system mated to a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 – the system originally developed for the Saturn Vue. MT also reports that a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter V6 could be in the works, and that GM hasn't necessarily ruled out the option of shoving a big ol' V8 under the Caddy's hood.

GM is also working hard to ensure that the XTS's high-zoot interior remains intact for the production car (or, as close as it can get). Cadillac is hoping to offer some proper competition for top-end German luxury cars with the XTS, and we'll know how it fares when it hits the road next year, badged as a 2012 model.

[Source: Motor Trend]