SLS Sedan Tops Range In China

One of the biggest success stories for General Motors has been its luxury

Going long is a new trend in China. (Photo: General Motors)

arm Cadillac, in China. As a nameplate, Cadillac is quite young in China, having only debuted back in 2004 with a three-car lineup consisting of the CTS, XLR and SRX. However, for 2007 Cadillac is strengthening its portfolio in two of the most rapidly growing sales segments in China - large sedans and sport utility vehicles. For the first time, Cadillac will offer its Escalade sport utility vehicle there, as well as a brand new addition to the range, the SLS.

For

Does that 'L' in SLS mean "Long" or "Luxury"? (Photo: General Motors)

North Americans, the name SLS might ring a bell. Back in the '90s the SLS was the lower-end, non-performance luxury trim level for the Seville sedan. It was eventually dropped, and the STS model name was adapted. SLS is back, but this time around it won't be used for a lesser version of Cadillac's large sedan. Rather, it's for an extended, Chinese-only version of the STS sedan. Originally, the car was supposed to be called the STSe.

As we've seen with a number of luxury cars - Audi A6, BMW

It should do well against the long-wheelbase 5-Series and A6 L. (Photo: General Motors)

5-Series, Volkswagen Passat - there is an ongoing trend to create extended wheelbase versions of premium vehicles to cater to the chauffeur driven marketplace in China. These cars bridge the gap between the regular wheelbase models and the ultra-premium executive models, offering the comfort and luxury of space, without the expense of a range-topping car. For instance, the difference in rear legroom between an A6L and an A8 is minimal, but the savings passed on are much greater.

As with rival extended wheelbase vehicles, the SLS starts out life as an

Besides having more room to stretch out, rear-seat passengers get extra toys. (Photo: General Motors)

STS sedan. Cadillac has re-engineered it with an extra 100 mm (3.9 in), all of which is behind the middle B-pillar for rear passenger room. Because the SLS is Cadillac's flagship vehicle in China, they have done extensive work to the interior to improve its ambience. Rather than using plastics on the dashboard, the SLS has stitched leather, and plenty of real wood. The rear portion of the cabin features two individual seats separated by a console instead of a bench, plus individual climate, heating and ventilation. On the outside, the SLS sports a reworked nose and new colored wheel caps, both of which should appear on the North American market STS.

In

You can't see it from here, but if you look up close, the build quality is like nothing we've ever seen from a Caddy. (Photo: General Motors)

order to get the most consumer coverage out of the SLS, Cadillac is offering it with a large engine range to meet the budgets of different buyers. Entry-level cars will be powered by a 2.8-liter V6, while mid-range models get the new 3.6-liter V6. The former two engines can be found in the revised CTS sedan, and were developed by GM's Australian arm, Holden. Reserved for the top-of-the-line model only is Cadillac's best Northstar V8. This 4.6-liter motor makes 320 horsepower, and represents the brand's finest efforts in refinement and smoothness.

Because the SLS is exclusive to the Chinese market, GM will be building it at its assembly facility in Shanghai. It will debut shortly at Auto China 2006 motorshow in Beijing.