Autoblog

Click image for 2 new SLS photos

Back when Cadillac dropped the long-wheelbase SLS on the Beijing motor show, we were all incredulous. How could Cadillac deny us the 4-inch longer STS variant (with an improved interior, too)when other stretched luxury sedans garner sales here. Now, the car will be edging a little closer to us. It's still not coming here, but it will be exported to the Middle East beginning in 2008. Cadillac sales in China have increased over 100 percent since the SLS went on sale. The Middle East is another region where the larger rear compartment appeals to business customers who have their driving taken care of for them. Tiptoeing westward is a good first step. We still want it. You can read Cadillac's full press release after the jump.

[Source: Cadillac]

Advertising a product on television can be a very complicated exercise, as each demographic and market get its own specialized message. Many people who travel overseas notice that commercials are peculiar outside their native market, and anybody that sees GM's new Cadillac commercial for the Chinese market has to be scratching his or her head.

In the commercial, a large group of 18th century Englishmen (or American colonists?) are trying to wrangle a wild horse, when a Cadillac SLS comes in to tame the beast while the wig-wearing gentlemen in puffy Seinfeld shirts and petticoats run for cover. We think the premise of the commercial is that the beauty of the SLS tames the savage horse, but with all those makeup-wearing colonists running around, we're too distracted to know for sure. Hey, here in the States we have Abe Lincoln pitching insomnia medication, so anything is fair game. Hit the jump to view this bizarre pitch, and chime in to let us know what you think.

[Source: YouTube via GM Inside News]

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]

GM is taking the care and feeding of its growing business in China very seriously. Case in point: The 2007 Cadillac SLS, which will make its public debut at Auto China (the Beijing Motor Show) next week. The SLS is essentially an STS lengthened an additional 100mm (~4 inches) to give backseat passengers additional room to stretch out. In the press release accompanying the above photo, GM states that in China, luxury cars are usually chauffeur-driven, and as such, the cabin has been designed to meet the "specific needs" of the market. We take that to mean that the aft section of the compartment is equipped with more creature comforts than you'd find on a regular STS. Unfortunately, we don't have any photos of the interior to share.

The car will be built in Shanghai, with three engines -- the 2.8L V6, the 3.6L V6, and the Northstar V8 -- available to choose from. News of the long-wheelbase Caddy comes on the heels of BMW's announcement that the 5-Series is getting a similar treatment in China, as automakers scramble to take advantage of every opportunity the growing Chinese market presents to them.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source:GM]