General Motors' luxury brand went down two very different roads at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. Cadillac showed off the next-generation version of its hot-rod CTS-V midsize sedan and the PROVOQ Concept, a midsize crossover SUV powered by a
hydrogen fuel cell.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

What could be better than shoehorning a Corvette V8 engine in a Cadillac CTS? How about shoehorning a supercharged Corvette V8 engine in a Cadillac CTS? That's what you'll get in the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V, which is slated to go up against other factory-tuned performance machines such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. While mainstream CTS cars have a 3.6-liter V6, -V versions have a 6.2-liter V8 with an Eaton-brand supercharger that pumps out a whopping 550 horsepower, according to GM estimates. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. For the first time, a six-speed automatic will be available, and it includes steering wheel paddles for manual gear changes. GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension is standard. It uses sensors to monitor road conditions and adjust suspension tuning accordingly. Unique to the CTS-V is GM's "Performance Traction Management" system. It uses the same electronics as GM's StabiliTrak antiskid system, but applies them differently. Instead of monitoring and controlling wheel slip to assist in slowing down the car, PTM regulates engine torque delivery to match available tire grip. In theory, this should allow for better acceleration from a stop and when exiting a corner.

The interior gets a few upgrades over the standard CTS, including available Recaro-brand sport seats with 14-way power adjustment and a microfiber wrapped steering wheel and shift lever. Pricing for the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V wasn’t announced, but expect it to start well north of the $52,000 commanded by the 2007 CTS-V when it launches in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

While the front-end design is straight from the CTS sedan, the design from the doors back is quite a departure from it. Among the more striking features are the lack of a B-pillar behind the doors, hidden door handles similar to Cadillac's XLR convertible, and the sharp center line dividing the rear of the car in half.

Powertrains are flexible, including the high-pressure direct gasoline fuel injection V6 found in the CTS sedan. Welburn also hinted at the possibility of a diesel engine. Inside, some of the interior bits are pulled from the CTS sedan, but the coupe concept was designed to be an experimentation in new interior materials. No production plans were announced, but if the public reacts positively to the concept, a design based on this swoopy coupe could become reality.

Cadillac PROVOQ Concept

PROVOQ is a small to midsize crossover SUV built on the same "E-Flex" architecture as Chevrolet Volt, which debuted at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Instead of the Volt's gasoline/electric hybrid system, PROVOQ uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate power to run the three electric motors. PROVOQ is all-wheel drive, using one electric motor to drive the front wheels and separate motors to drive the rears. The battery pack is recharged by the fuel cell and/or plugging the vehicle to a power supply. The vehicle uses no petroleum and its emissions are only water vapor. GM claims a cruising range of 300 miles.

Could a vehicle such as the PROVOQ eventually see the light of day? With tough new fuel economy standards looming large on the horizon, it could very well happen. More likely, however, the overall design of PROVOQ could form the basis for a compact Cadillac crossover called BRX. BRX would share some of its basic underskin design with the 2008 Saturn Vue. The powertrain would probably be a high-pressure direct gasoline fuel injection version of GM’s corporate 3.6-liter V6 engine teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive would be available. BRX would likely replace the slow-selling SRX.