China-only SLS getting updated

[goblue]

Why not just bring this vehicle here and have a respectable top of the line vehicle.

My personal preference would be a VOLTEC STS. Standard AWD, 50 mile range and a uber smooth small displacement DI V8 as the range extender with MDS. This would allow for high acceleration as well as amazing economy when desired. Styled in the Sixteen formula with every feature the competition has - as well as a high color heads up display showing the details of the most advanced powertrain ever employed in a production sedan.

The STS nameplate is developed, has overtones of high performance courtesy of NASA, and should not be discarded in the trash with the rest of GM's history. Then this XTS should be labeled DTS.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

As a previous owner of a 2006 STS V8, I must disagree with you on those points. Technically the car was bulletproof and a great performer. Where Cadillac (actually GM) fell down is on esthetic details, surfaces, cabin proportions, and exterior appearance. The car never subjected me to any mechanical issues; it just did not have Cadillac Style and flash!

Moreover, the costliest mistake was the positioning of the CTS so close to STS. The Executive that signed off on the production “green light” for the STS and later the CTS has the blame for this error, Bob Lutz! The STS could have been corrected if the interior received the hand stitched treatment, and the backlighting of the Chinese SLS. The exterior required resculpting with some enlarging cues, similar to what is being done with the SLS; it does look larger and more impressive. The STS should have been a challenger for the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes Benz CLS (my current) with an upgrade to DI of the NorthStar system perhaps 380 HP may have been possible (speculation only). GM deserved to go Bankrupt; it failed itself and its clientele!

In closing, about the DTS it is an example of a popular car sold way after it should have been replaced with a newer designed model the DT7.

All true. I would add though that the error in "positioning the CTS so close to the STS" was done because, at the time of the development of the current CTS, the DT7 you mention was well on its way and intended to replace both the STS and DTS. The DT7 was going to be positioned even higher than the STS was. All of this "upping" was done to make room for the ATS at the entry level. As I've said before, history and fate had other plans but this is essetially why Cadillac is in its current state.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by V8GMT360 Guy

So where are these going to be built? Still here at LGR?

SLS is manufactured in Shanghai, I believe.

Originally Posted by goblue

Why not just bring this vehicle here and have a respectable top of the line vehicle.

My personal preference would be a VOLTEC STS. Standard AWD, 50 mile range and a uber smooth small displacement DI V8 as the range extender with MDS. This would allow for high acceleration as well as amazing economy when desired. Styled in the Sixteen formula with every feature the competition has - as well as a high color heads up display showing the details of the most advanced powertrain ever employed in a production sedan.

The STS nameplate is developed, has overtones of high performance courtesy of NASA, and should not be discarded in the trash with the rest of GM's history. Then this XTS should be labeled DTS.

Too little, Too late.
The Klowns are still running GM.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

As a previous owner of a 2006 STS V8, I must disagree with you on those points. Technically the car was bulletproof and a great performer. Where Cadillac (actually GM) fell down is on esthetic details, surfaces, cabin proportions, and exterior appearance. The car never subjected me to any mechanical issues; it just did not have Cadillac Style and flash!

Moreover, the costliest mistake was the positioning of the CTS so close to STS. The Executive that signed off on the production “green light” for the STS and later the CTS has the blame for this error, Bob Lutz! The STS could have been corrected if the interior received the hand stitched treatment, and the backlighting of the Chinese SLS. The exterior required resculpting with some enlarging cues, similar to what is being done with the SLS; it does look larger and more impressive. The STS should have been a challenger for the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes Benz CLS (my current) with an upgrade to DI of the NorthStar system perhaps 380 HP may have been possible (speculation only). GM deserved to go Bankrupt; it failed itself and its clientele!

In closing, about the DTS it is an example of a popular car sold way after it should have been replaced with a newer designed model the DT7.

A simple MCE widening of the STS give it a 16 C Pillar and something more decent for an interior, and GM could have had a winner.
No one ever complained about its driving dynamics.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by megeebee

And why would those extra few inches suddenly make it a 7 or S competiitor?

It isn't. the only comparable feature SLS has compared to a 7 series is its exterior size. Everything else pales.

Originally Posted by megeebee

And how many of these actually sell? Where are the sales figures for China/Asia? I've always been curious. I see pronouncments of great sales increases and other good news from that region, but never model specific lists. (What are Cadillac sales in total there and how does it compare with the European names?)

SLS sells decently; however, the major complaint is the width of the car.
Still, cars like 550Li outsell the SLS by a wide margin.

These cars are chauffeur driven executive cars, and 5-series simply has more room than SLS.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

It isn't. the only comparable feature SLS has compared to a 7 series is its exterior size. Everything else pales.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by mgescuro

SLS sells decently; however, the major complaint is the width of the car.
Still, cars like 550Li outsell the SLS by a wide margin.

Not that I don't believe you, but I'd love to know where such statistics are listed. As I wrote earlier, I see total deliveries for GM in China but I've never seen a by-model breakdown anywhere.

Originally Posted by mgescuro

These cars are chauffeur driven executive cars, and 5-series simply has more room than SLS.

This I have to question. The 5 series has a roomier rear seat area than the SLS? I have a friend with a 5 series and the rear cabin isn't any roomier than my STS.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by megeebee

Agreed.



Not that I don't believe you, but I'd love to know where such statistics are listed. As I wrote earlier, I see total deliveries for GM in China but I've never seen a by-model breakdown anywhere.



This I have to question. The 5 series has a roomier rear seat area than the SLS?

I conclude with Mge if its not a Jaguar, you are unlikely to get much passion from him.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

A simple MCE widening of the STS give it a 16 C Pillar and something more decent for an interior, and GM could have had a winner.
No one ever complained about its driving dynamics.

A wider body on the narrow Sigma platform would be disasterous aesthetically. The STS already has a kind of "side overhang" to it. I would not want to see more.

What's a "16 C pillar"?

(Oh, wait. You mean the Sixteen showcar don't you?)

But I have to say, any more investment in the poor old thing is simply throwing good money after bad. What you describe would cost hundreds of millions in tooling. The ship has sailed for the STS as we know it today. The next CTS will be along in a few years and it will be closer in size to the STS. In fact, the current CTS is only 4" shorter in overall length and 3" inches shorter in wheelbase than the STS.

I'm hoping that the next CTS is actually called STS, and that the upcoming Alpha small car will take the name CTS.

....but that's another thread...

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

I conclude with Mge if its not a Jaguar, you are unlikely to get much passion from him.

It can seem that way, yes. But he's a good guy.

But I suggest he begin his prayers for the good health of Jaguars new owners. They are going to be pumping many a billiion-sheckles into the whole phoney outfit before it's done. That new XJ is a dud waiting to happen. Jaguar may be joining Packard and Pierce-Arrow if things don't improve.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by megeebee

It can seem that way, yes. But he's a good guy.

But I suggest he begin his prayers for the good health of Jaguars new owners. They are going to be pumping many a billiion-sheckles into the whole phoney outfit before it's done. That new XJ is a dud waiting to happen. Jaguar may be joining Packard and Pierce-Arrow if things don't improve.

I agree. The New XJ is a dud. I like Mge, I just sympathise with his Jag obbsession.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

SLS is manufactured in Shanghai, I believe.

Thank you. I thought I'd read it was built in China. It's assembled from a "kit" then.

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Too little, Too late.
The Klowns are still running GM.

And I agree. It's time to stop whining about the STS/SLS. The issue is dead.
.

[MCGARRETT]

My take?


Their keeping the SLS sort of fresh for China with little investment, while focusing on the launching the XTS(or whatever it will end up being called) here in the US, along with the launch of the Coupe CTS, and ATS(or whatever that will be called), then when those are done, we can only hope....that there will a launch of real all new flagship Cadillac that will replace the SLS in China and sit at the top of the range in the US.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by MCGARRETT

My take?


Their keeping the SLS sort of fresh for China with little investment, while focusing on the launching the XTS(or whatever it will end up being called) here in the US, along with the launch of the Coupe CTS, and ATS(or whatever that will be called), then when those are done, we can only hope....that there will a launch of real all new flagship Cadillac that will replace the SLS in China and sit at the top of the range in the US.

Forget STS / XTS etc, the most important launch for Cadillac will be the next generation Escalade. If they screw that one, the brand is dead.
Lastly, their global strategy is also key to their viability as a brand.

[princecharmless]

why waste updating a car nobody is interested in anymore. the STS/SLS is obviously selling better in China and thats why its being refreshed

[377Z]

The point is the STS =/= SLS, but a little shorter.

Originally Posted by megeebee

It's not the most exciting interior, I grant you that. The IP seems almost phoned in. But upon closer inspection and day to day living with it, I like it.

I would find that description hard to swallow for a Chevrolet, let alone a Cadillac. It's a justification I'd expect from someone who drives the last generation Malibu--in fact you could apply the same line of reasoning to justify why Chevy should not have made a change, since styling is subjective, etc etc. & the current Malibu is just a reskin. Yet the current car is much more of a success...

Originally Posted by megeebee

It's time to stop whining about the STS/SLS. The issue is dead.

As dead as the hopes that Cadillac will ever be more than a Buick with stiffer springs & a more polarizing design.