The Cadillac-related announcements keep dropping in as after the release of a teaser photo of the firm's entry-level compact sedan codenamed ATS, GM revealed that we're also going to see a flagship luxury sedan model added to Cadillac's range in the Spring of 2012.

                                                    2013 Cadillac XTS, preview of our new luxury sedan

We will come to know that model as the Cadillac XTS and it will replace both the current STS and the DTS, the production of which was terminated this year.

Flexibility is a hallmark of the E2 architecture itself, which comes in three basic sizes. The 2013 Cadillac XTS is designed on the largest variation, no surprise for the new flagship car at GM's flagship brand. The Regal uses the smallest version, the LaCrosse and next-gen Impala the in-between size. We've extrapolated XTS dimensions from those of the LaCrosse as well as the redesigned 2010 Saab 9-5, another "big E2" model.

                                                    2013 Cadillac XTS, preview of our new luxury sedan

General Motors may not have published a teaser photo of its Cadillac range-topper in the sedan category but the Detroit firm said it will be modeled closely after last year's XTS Platinum concept study adding that the final production model will be revealed in the coming months – obviously either in LA this November or Detroit in January 2012.

The company is highly optimistic for the new XTS claiming it will compete against the best.

"The Cadillac XTS is being designed to compete and win against the finest luxury cars," GM said in a prepared statement. "It takes a new, modern approach to the large luxury sedan, combining high-tech electronics and engaging driving dynamics in a car that is also elegant and spacious," the company added.

                                                    2013 Cadillac XTS, preview of our new luxury sedan

The new 2013 Cadillac XTS will be manufactured at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, with GM saying it will invest $117 million to prepare the facility and at the same time, "create or retain" 400 jobs on the Flex Line

As far as we know, however, the E2 platform cannot accommodate a V8 engine, so look for the 2013 Cadillac XTS to come with the top-line LaCrosse option, a 3.6-liter V6 with economy-boosting direct fuel injection. We suspect this new corporate mainstay will be tuned up some for XTS duty, adding at least 20 horsepower and 16 lb-ft of torque over Buick's version, partly to compensate for the Caddy's expected greater weight. Only one transmission is likely too, the same 6-speed automatic used in most every other U.S.-market Epsilon-based model.