China-only SLS getting updated

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by megeebee

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

I'm the evil ex-mod. Haven't you figured that out yet?

Originally Posted by megeebee

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 actually don't see how the XJ is going to be a dud. I really don't.
It's got the feature set needed to compete in its class.
It's got the looks to compete in its class.
It's got the horsepower to compete in its class.
It's got enough image and prestige to not get strange looks at the country club or exclusive resorts.

The formula for success is there.

But if you and mbuky are basing its potential for success on the strange C-Pillar, then that really isn't a fair judgement.

You simply have to see the car in person, as I have, and you'll see why XJ will succeed.

[GMFAN85]

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!

I never said the STS wasn't a solid car. Having driven a 2008 STS with the direct injection V-6 engine..I would say it's a very solid car....just out of date visually and has been from the start.
Normally, in the mid-size luxury segment, the Germans and Japanese tend to be a bit more conservative in styling with their cars because of the older and more mature customer base so I would have accepted Cadillac toning down the styling of the previous gen CTS a little bit for it's larger brother... but for the STS, the Art & Science theme was watered down tremendously...not just from a brand perspective but from what GM had originally planned to do before Lutz came aboard and started cleaning house. I'm not saying that the pre-Lutz STS was going to be great (from that one blurry picture that's been going around on the net, you really can't tell too much).. but the final result left a lot to be desired. It didn't help the fact that Lutz supposedly hated the Art & Science theme when he first started.

[Ambalanche]

The rear only looks slightly different with new facia and taillamps. Front will look better with the new headlamps and fogs with lots of LED's. I still think it's a good looking car and would've sold better with the Chinese versions interior that is outstanding.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Shame that GM can take the STS's platform, stretch it to make it a "truer" 7-Series/A8/S-Class competitor, and launch it in China but not in the US.

Yes, I know CAFE and more stringent regulations mean that GM isn't going to be able to offer such a RWD vehicle in the US market anytime soon, but honestly, how many were they going to sell anyway? Maybe 40,000 units? I would think that they'd sell enough Aveos, Sparks, and Cruzes in the year ahead to offset those possible sales, but whatever...

And yet to my knowledge, BMW, Mercedes and Audi have no intentions of discontinuing the A8/S8, the 7-series, the S-class, the CL-class, the SL-class, and many other less-than-environmentally-friendly luxury machines. GM can generate all the excuses it wants, but in the end, they're simply not trying hard enough in some markets. Plain and simple.

[jry]

Lucky chumps.
That car should be sold here.

[1G6]

No reason not to offer this car in NA.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by 1G6

No reason not to offer this car in NA.

I'll say it again:

Originally Posted by megeebee

If this were sold in the US we'd all be crying at how little GM was investing in it. But, since it's not sold here, we're crying about the fact that it's not sold here.

If it were, it would be a flop. If no one bought the STS as it is, why would anyone pay thousands more for 3 or 4 added inches of the same car?

+ it does not meet US side-impact standards. To do the necessary work would take all kinds of time and money. Both would be wasted.

[BBDOS CV8]

It's very interesting for Cadillac to race at Le Mans and lap the Nurbugring - but it is a sideshow. The CTS is probably rightsize to be the mass-market Cadillac and has the sales to support it.

What is needed, is the range-topper. When James May tested the 16 Concept on Top Gear he said it best: Cadillac fans don't want an American-clone BMW with an upper East Side accent. And non-Cadillac fans around the world don't, either. Or they simply don't understand it.

Everyone's really waiting for something like the Sixteen, but with a more practical driveline, aesthetics and dynamics. VW is in control of Bentley and Bugatti and are producing the sorts of cars that people aspire to: something with hints - just hints - of yesteryear elegance stretched over a contemporary chassis without being out of date in any important function. They ride luxuriously, but are fast and full of quality build and appointments.

If Aston Martin can engineer a double Ford V6, GM can engineer a 6.0 litre or similar double HFV6 for the powertrain with the very good sixspeed trans it now has available. I hesitate to say it, but this would have been an absolute monty to sit on a LWB Zeta chassis, which would have given it the ride and handling characteristics, especially coupled with MRC.

A 'Sixteen' with some ergonomic foibles (roofline, access, 4-door coupe with rear suicide doors) would I think sell like hotcakes - and not just in America. Organised crime around the world would have had a new pin-up, and pimps everywhere would rejoice!

[ryannel2003]

I've really tried to wrap my head around the STS styling, but something about them is just awkward. I love the way they drive and handle, but the exterior just doesn't do it for me. It's ok, but it lacks that certain something.

I like this...



Clean, elegant, classy. This car has presence. This car has style. I'll drive it to the wheels fall off.

[stevecmh]

glad this car is not in America

[SAngelo]

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.

I like the exterior of the STS and its driving dynamics. Its kind of puzzling why GM didnt revise the interior. Better yet, they should have brought the SLS here and give it a DI Northstar close to 400 hp! !!

[377Z]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

When James May tested the 16 Concept on Top Gear he said it best: Cadillac fans don't want an American-clone BMW with an upper East Side accent. And non-Cadillac fans around the world don't, either. Or they simply don't understand it.

Agree 100%, and this is part of what mgescuro & a few others have been saying all along--What makes a Cadillac a Cadillac? They need to figure that out, make a plan around it, and stick to it, versus trying to clone BMW on a budget.

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

VW is in control of Bentley and Bugatti and are producing the sorts of cars that people aspire to: something with hints - just hints - of yesteryear elegance stretched over a contemporary chassis without being out of date in any important function. They ride luxuriously, but are fast and full of quality build and appointments.

Quite frankly IMO the above approach would work for Cadillac with one alteration--I'd like Cadillac to be on the cutting edge of technology versus simply up to date, a rolling showcase if you will.

For the record, I don't think the Chinese SLS is that car, I just marvel at how much nicer its interior is versus the one we get here.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by ryannel2003

I've really tried to wrap my head around the STS styling, but something about them is just awkward. I love the way they drive and handle, but the exterior just doesn't do it for me. It's ok, but it lacks that certain something.

I like this...



Clean, elegant, classy. This car has presence. This car has style. I'll drive it to the wheels fall off.

You'll get no argument from me! I owned a 2006 STS and traded it, but I still have my 98 and will until my new Challenger (6.4L 8 spd auto) is available. I get compliments everytime I drive it!

[CD/BP]

Revealed:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/cadillac-sls.html

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by CD/BP

Revealed:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/cadillac-sls.html

Thank goodness they got rid of the Spiderman spooge side vent and went wil something a little more normal looking.