Ever since a report a few weeks back that Cadillac had signed off on production of the XTS Concept, execs at GM’s luxury arm have tried to deny any such thing. But last week GM decided to showcase the car at the Beijing Auto Show, and have released a gallery of new photos – indicating the XTS is moving ahead.

Earlier reports indicated that the XTS will replace both the STS and DTS as the new flagship for the brand, designed to rival the Lexus LS, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes S-Class. Most exciting is the news that Cadillac intends to keep the interior quite close to the concept.

It’s not yet clear what engine will power the luxury barge, with the concept model showcasing a plug-in hybrid 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 gasoline engine making a total of 350-hp. This setup is, however, extremely unlikely. Instead, there’s reason to believe that rather than a typical V8 under the hood, GM will deliver a rumored twin-turbo V6.

Until we find out more, take a gander through the gallery of new XTS Concept photos Cadillac has released below:

GALLERY: Cadillac XTS Concept

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Cadillac has already confirmed that the new 556-hp CTS-V Coupe will be officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show next week and now it appears as though it will be joined by a concept version of the new XTS flagship.

Cadillac has already said that a new concept car would make an appearance at the show and now Chris Preuss, VP of communications at GM, has tweeted that the XTS will make an appearance. We expect this concept to be quite close to the actual production car. Unfortunately it’s not likely to be a serious competitor with the likes of the Mercedes S-Class or Lexus LS as it won’t be offered in a rear-drive setup. Front-drive and AWD layouts are planned, however, as the car is based on the same basic architecture as the new Buick LaCrosse.

In addition, Preuss also confirmed that the new Aveo will arrive in Detroit, in sporty RS trim, which will likely get a the Cruze’s new 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with almost 140-hp and 40+ mpg on the highway. Buick will show a high-powered version of the Regal with a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 with 325-hp, while GMC will show a new MPV model, called the Granite, which is based on the upcoming Chevy Orlando.

[Source: Twitter]

If you’re a car junkie, Twitter is the place to be today. Ahead of a webcast tomorrow morning by GM CEO Fritz Henderson, the General arranged for a select few media to meet with its PR folks and get a preview of what the New GM has to offer.

Many of those folks have been tweeting on Twitter and so we have a good idea of what’s going on. In a press release from earlier today, GM said that Fritz will unveil a new model during the webcast. The only problem is, the tweets cover so many new models that we don’t know which one it will be.

Some of the biggest stories of the day include a new Cadillac model named the ATS, which is aimed at taking on the BMW 3 Series (yes pulease)! And it would be offered as both a coupe and sedan. Other Cadillac news includes a story we ran earlier today about the new CTS Coupe and CTS-V Coupe coming in May. Tweets also covered a story we ran several weeks back about the DTS replacement being called the XTS and using the LaCrosse platform – meaning AWD will be optional.

As for the Buick brand, there will reportedly be a new model added to that lineup – a mid-sized sedan due out in the next 24 months. This will no doubt the the Chinese market Regal, a story we reported on several weeks back as well.

In Chevy news, those lucky enough to be at the General’s party today got to glimpse the 2012 Malibu, well ahead of its unveiling. Additionally Bob Lutz still isn’t done getting peoples’ hopes up, saying that the Pontiac G8 might still have a life at GM.

[Source: Twitter via Autoblog]

Cadillac’s replacement for the top-level DTS sedan is to be called the XTS and will be built alongside several other GM products at the company’s Oshawa, Canada plant. Production is expected to begin in December of 2011, making the DTS a 2012 model.

The XTS will be based on the company’s Epsilon platform, which will also underpin the new Regal and the upcoming Impala. All three vehicles will be built in Oshawa, which will give GM significant flexibility in production to meet market demands. Previously GM used a less flexible production plan with whole plants or lines dedicated to one vehicle.

The Regal will begin production in August of 2011, while the next Impala will start in February of 2013 – meaning that the current Impala is scheduled to hang on until then.

Along with the new Camaro, a hybrid offering will also be built in Oshawa and while there is no indication on what that hybrid model will be it is expected to be a version of one of either the Regal, Impala or XTS.

[Source: National Post]