UPDATE 1: Huge gallery of the SLS unveiling in Beijing here.
Yesterday, we published the initial information on the new Cadillac SLS that's going to be built in Shanghai for the Chinese market. Reader response was of the "Are you *&%@#! kidding me? GM has its head up its a-- for not offering this to us!" variety, and understandably so. There are plenty of Americans willing to purchase long-wheelbase sedans, if only they were available. Sure, the Bimmer 750Li and 760Li fit the bill, but those are in a totally different price band.
If the mere existence of a stretched wheelbase Caddy sent people into a tizzy, the shots that follow are going to have them frothing at the mouth, but don't fret -- there's reason to be very excited here at home. The SLS shots show that the Chinese car wears the new-look Cadillac grille, full-color wheel caps (as seen on the '07 SRX Sport), and a redesigned interior that has taken a confident step upmarket, all of which we will most likely see stateside in the future.
Follow along after the jump and see what the General's got cooking.
(Thanks to commenter "Wilhelmina J. Higginbotham" for posting the links to CarSpin and Cheers & Gears for the photos.)
[Sources: CarSpin, Cheers & Gears]
Here we see the interiors of the 2007 Cadillac STS and STS-V for the US market:.
STS
STS-V
They're both nice cabins typical of the new GM interior approach, but they have nothing ... absolutely nothing ... on the interior of the SLS. Feast your eyes on these:
Cadillac SLS
Note the revamped center stack, and better use of aluminum accenting, which now surrounds the center instruments and frames the nicely restyled HVAC vents. It also looks great on the steering wheel, which additionally benefits from the gorgeous wood that's now liberally applied from front to back. Copious amounts of leather trim are in use as well, covering all the interior surfaces. But that's not new. That's simply the new "Cut & Sew" technique (available now on SRX) applied to the SLS, which is obviously showing off the interior we should expect to see on our 2008 STS. The new CTS will have a similarly swanky interior as well. Remember the mockup Bob Lutz showed on 60 Minutes?
Cadillac SLS
Sure, Cadillac says that some of these interior elements were designed for the Chinese market, but that doesn't mean they can't or won't apply them in ours, nor would it be surprising to see the long-wheelbase car appear in the US sometime during the upcoming show season. If GM is really serious about having Cadillac go up against the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and reclaiming some of the brand's old "Standard of the World" mystique, it's moves like this -- the tremendously lush interior and the LWB variant -- that will move them closer to those goals.
The SLS also shows us the exterior revisions that are likely in the works for the '08 STS. Here, you see the modestly restyled grille, which features thinned horizontal elements and better-defined vertical bars, all of which are made flush and backed with a dark mesh. Compare it to the current STS (3rd photo down).
Cadillac SLS
2007 Cadillac STS (USDM)
The attention to detail even extends to the wheels (below), where full-color centers are applied. Again, this is a feature that is already available on the SRX Sport. The new SRX is worth revisiting, as it was the vehicle that telegraphed many changes that are obviously making their way into the other Cadillacs now, including this SLS, and, we hope, the next STS. Like I said before: there's reason to be excited.
Cadillac SLS
So, while this is officially showcase of GM's newest Chinese domestic market car, it sure looks like a peek at what's coming with the '08 STS as well. Tell us what you think.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Nick @ Nov 11th 2006 9:16AM
Well, it looks like GM is taking a page from Ford and offering a great car, but not in America! Why do American auto companies assume that Americans only want bland cars, SUVs, and Trucks?
This is a pretty cool car. If they were to sell it here, how would they position it against the DTS?
Mr. Oak @ Nov 11th 2006 9:28AM
I find the STS in it's American form lukewarm,dowdy and in-elegant, I am quite sure that the sales figures bears me out on that point. In it's stretched form, this is really a nice car, one I would even consider.
This car needs to be in Cadillac showrooms next to the CTS. GM, if you never built this car you could be forgiven, but building it and not offering it here is not. Over time, this will rank way up there with some of your bigger corporate blunders. The proverbial shotgun blast to one's foot.
Stupid!! Stupid!! Stupid!!
Mr. Oak @ Nov 11th 2006 9:29AM
----> Nick wrote: This is a pretty cool car. If they were to sell it here, how would they position it against the DTS?
I say loose the DTS. This car renders it unecessary. Bye DTS, it won't really be missed anyway. Other than when I encounter one on the road, I don't even remember that it is a part of the Cadillac stable.
Flagship @ Nov 11th 2006 9:41AM
Absolutely great, Cadillac need to get this going pronto. You are right it is touches like this that will bring Cadillac back to it role as a standard of the world.
Pitcrew @ Nov 11th 2006 10:09AM
There is not reason that this PKG is not sold in the USA. GM needs to think outside of the box a little more. Will this be a volume car? Not really...But adding a long wheel base as an option sure could not hurt. The current DTS is a little long in the tooth. This model would be a great addition to the lineup. The DTS is not for everyone. With a longer STS available Cadillac could really compare with the Audi/BMW/Mercedes and now Lexus. Bring it on.
leo @ Nov 11th 2006 10:15AM
that interior is very nice.
and if what they say it's true - that it'll be coming to the US - i think the STS will now be a true contender
the 5-series has nothing on that interior.
Great job Caddy - GM listen, you better bring that interior here ASAP - don't screw it up, leave teh leather stitching as well
pd @ Nov 11th 2006 10:20AM
HOLY SH*T THAT INTERIOR IS A GM? WOW VERY NICE,BUILD THESE CARS NOW! CANT WAIT TO SEE THE CTS.
Michael Karesh @ Nov 11th 2006 10:58AM
The use of chrome in the interior resembles the new SRX. Apparently this is Cadillac's new design language. Works for me even better here than in the SRX.
The regular STS should be stretched at least a couple of inches. As many have said, the rear seat room in the current car is disappointing.
This car would not replace the DTS because it feels tighter inside, even with a wheelbase stretch, and would be far more expensive. Two very different cars at two very different price points.
My comparison of the STS and DTS:
http://www.epinions.com/content_209422093956
Adam @ Nov 11th 2006 11:43AM
I think the reason why GM and Ford decide to not market these cars to the US is that they feel that the GM and Ford names have been through such crap times, that the brand connotations will hurt sales too much. By diverting new cars and new developments to other international markets, they can sell cars while behaving like an innocent, virgin company.
Not only that, but China has not throroughly been car-trained. True, Mercedes is treated less like a manufacturer and more like a religion in Asia, but other luxury car makers are all equal, and one cars advantage is imply due to supply and demand, and product innovation and quality.
Seeing this car, I no longer doubt that GM and Cadillac have the ability to sell a great car and the right price, but by selling it to people who may have only heard of Cadillac from the 1950's, the brand has a completely different aura in China. Good move GM.
Face it. China will be / is the next huge market. Although a stretch luxury sedan is a great market segment, even in the US, this car will not give GM what they are looking for. Good car, wrong market, wrong brand value = bad car.
If you are a car fan like me, the automotive world is frustrating, becuase nothing I want exists in its right form in the US. I'm not hating on US car makers and initiating a flame war, because this car looks spectacular, and I would drive nearly every Ford offered in Europe, as well as Holden and Falcom in Austrailia.
Want these cars? Move to China.
Tool @ Nov 11th 2006 11:46AM
These are wonderful details that really make or break a vehicle.
Look at Lexus, for example, while its styling is often quite bland, what is remarkable is the level of detail and the wow! cool things that make it an exceptional vehicle.
I'm really pleased to see the level of refinement that GM is bringing to the market. They used to put a vehicle out and keep it the same for 4-5 years and wonder why they have to use heavy incentives to move the metal.
Remember that GM was the original company that ate Ford's lunch by creating planned obsolescence.
Tool @ Nov 11th 2006 11:56AM
One other point, I would argue that Alex Nunez's assertion that "There are plenty of Americans willing to purchase long-wheelbase sedans, if only they were available" is not true.
There are plenty of VERY HIGH END, WEALTHY Americans willing to purchase LWB vehicles, but it is ultimately a limited market.
I think the important thing that Alex has highlighted is the level of refinement and quality that Cadillac is bringing to the market.
I can only imagine how good the the second-gen CTS will be when it comes out at the Detroit auto show. (God, I can't believe that I am looking forward to a GM vehicle)
Jon @ Nov 11th 2006 12:06PM
Now's the time for GM to sieze the moment and offer this car( STS-L )to the US market.If this undercuts the price of smaller (less reliable-consumer reports)E-Class and 5 series it would represent a considerable value.
AMcA @ Nov 11th 2006 12:13PM
I think we can be confident this interior will appear on the domestic market STS. First, it's clearly from the new Cadillac cut & sew idiom. See the updated SRX. Second, the new CTS is going to look at least that good. They can't leave the STS looking cheap next to its little brother.
John @ Nov 11th 2006 12:22PM
Does anyone know how the price of this car compares to the standard STS here in the US? I suspect they can add a little more content because the potential buyer in China isn't in the same society strata as a STS buyer here. I would think they would be more like a Maybach buyer here.
Also it would be funny if people started adding Chinese Domestic Market parts to their cars stateside, adding CDM grills, wheels, interior swaps etc.
Wilhelmina J. Higginbotham @ Nov 11th 2006 12:23PM
Thanks, Autoblog!
Here are some pictures from the Beijing launch for anyone who is interested.
http://auto.sina.com.cn/photo/slsfbhsh/index.shtml
Interior pictures begin here--
http://auto.sina.com.cn/photo/slsfbhsh/index9.shtml
I guess we will have to wait and see if this is the refreshed STS.
Now that the CTS is getting bigger...
Jon @ Nov 11th 2006 12:36PM
I like the advanced rear lighting technology from post 15's photos.LED's .Lighting technology and appearance go a long way into contributing to a car's sophistication and market position.
DJ @ Nov 11th 2006 12:44PM
Given that almost every luxury car maker in the owrld now offers a long wheelbase version of their cars (BMW, MB, Jaguar, and now Lexus), it's only common sense that Cadillac offer the same. I'd love to see it offered as their first hybrid to head to head with the others. By the way, the grille is much better than the current one and leaves no doubt that this is the one we'll see on the US 2008 models.
Jordan @ Nov 11th 2006 1:50PM
Wow, this interior is beautful. I especially love the rear console. This really is the car Cadillac needs to compete with the German's, a LWB sedan that pampers the rear seat passangers as well as the driver. The interior quality looks up to par and in someways beyond the class leaders. GM SELL THE SLS IN THE US, it will be a great stop gap until you approve Lutz's real RWD Large Sedan based on the Cadillac Sixteen (which is one spactacular car). As for the comment regarding Cadillac offering hybrids, they will be in the next couple of years. The Escalade Hybrid is expected to be released in 2008 and will offer mileage in the mid to high 20's. It will use the transmission developed by BMW, DMX, and GM.
RZ is a Moron @ Nov 11th 2006 2:18PM
The interior is nice. Why is it that Chinese Buicks and Caddys are nicer than American ones?
SilverAero @ Nov 11th 2006 2:24PM
Wow cadillac, can't wait to here the announcement of this car comeing here. This car is really gonna redefine gm interiors i think. I will take that interior over any luxury car. Its amazing what happens when someone actually designs an interior GM. Can't stop looking at the pictures. Magazines will rave over this.