Cadillac is about to become General Motors's technology leader. The parent company undoubtedly figured it should do that when accounting for the costs of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. You can absorb more cost with the sticker price of a Caddy, and besides, there's that old tradition of trickle-down.

So with that in mind, Cadillac is hinting at its 2010 small-midsize crossover with a high-tech concept named Provoq (referencing the XLR/Evoq, of course) for the upcoming 2008 Detroit auto show. No, the production model won't be called that, and it won't be called BRX, either.

Provoq rides on GM's E-Flex architecture and features a hybrid electric/hydrogen-fuel-cell drivetrain featuring a 70kW front motor and two 30kW rear motors. Cadillac says it'll do 0-to-60 mph in 8.5 seconds, top out at 100 mph, and run for 280 miles between hydrogen fill-ups. Its thermostatically controlled Sixteen concept-style grille opens only when the fuel stack needs cooling. Talk about Art & Science. It has a full belly pan, a large rear spoiler, six-spoke wheels with polycarbonate fillers, pop-out door handles, and mirrors that are as small as possible, like the grille, for best-possible aero.

The more down-to-earth production version launches by late 2009 on the "premium-Theta," with all-wheel drive on a front-drive-based unibody platform, shared with the new Saab 9-4x. It's about 190 inches long and 65 inches tall, on a 110.8-inch wheelbase, with only two rows of seats.

Expect the Caddy to come with the 3.6-liter gas direct-injection V-6, until the hydrogen-fuel-cell hybrid is ready."