Spy Shots: Even better view of '08 Cadillac STS
After being floored by how good the Cadillac CTS looked and felt in Detroit, we can't wait to see how the upcoming '08 STS will turn out, as well. With similar styling upgrades promised (foreshadowed by the new SLS), the STS could finally come closer to the performance and sophistication of its identified European competitors like the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Thanks to BusinessWeek, we already know the interior will be a huge improvement. Lifted from the Chinese market long-wheelbase SLS, it looks polished and well-laid-out. And now we have a better look at how the exterior is shaping up, as well. KGP caught one in the wild and a nearly naked one at that. You can see the whole handsomely slab-sided flank from chrome fender vent to unadorned tail in the photo. It also sports different wheels and a shrouded, but noticeably different nose, as well. Look closely and you'll see a sharply detailed grille very similar to the on the new CTS.[Source: LLN]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DJ 8:15PM (3/09/2007)
DUH....The new nose of all Cadillac's is the 08 CTS. It's going on the STS/SLS(the stretched STS), the DTS and the SRX.
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Jose 8:20PM (3/09/2007)
Put Some D's On That B*tch!!!
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BOB 10:58PM (3/09/2007)
I am sure it will be an improvement -- but I hope this is the last round of GM improving existing (and somewhat tired) cars up to the level they should have been designed for, initially.
In the case of the STS -- why not admit the error and just change over to the long wheelbase model, as long as it has been designed and engineered for China? The STS is stubby looking, short on presence, and short on back seat room. "SLS" means "two Mercedes convertibles" to me.
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theo 9:45PM (3/09/2007)
The SLS is the GM's best design, in my opinion. It was simple and unadorned, yet powerful. It's a shame, then, that they had to add that damn porthole... which belongs on their trucks, not their cars.
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DarkKnight67 10:42PM (3/09/2007)
I have an STS and really enjoy it. But, I think they could leave off the fender vents ... they look tacky on this design.
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macgnome 10:10PM (3/09/2007)
Its a
2008 CADILLAC cimarrion! Why would anybody spend money on these heavy GMED FAUX luxury cars? BEYOND ME...If im gonna blow another 40 grand of my very precious money its going to be a work of art. NOT a cadillac
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david 10:22PM (3/09/2007)
macgnome, have to disagree. plain to see you know diddly squat about luxury cars let alone cadillac. sit and drive an sts-v, then drive anything in it's class and you may learn something. i have one and after driving several competitors the choice was obvious. a few i liked as much, however, the first three caddy's gave me over half a million trouble free miles. this is my fourth caddy in a row and if another car could offer more and be as dependable, i'd buy it. until then, hop in your yugo and peddle your bs somewhere else.
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Snix 8:48AM (3/10/2007)
Waitaminute, how come the people say the BMW M3 fender vent looks so sporty, but when Caddy puts one on a car, people say it's a load of crap?
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Ligor 11:06PM (3/09/2007)
thank god they did not make it like the original spy pics
the new CTS grill is awesome and it will look awesome here, too bad I cant say the same about those ugly unfinished rear ends
Caddy has an almost perfect sedan with the STS, but it spend the money on the wrong spot, it's the rear that needs help not the front.
anyhow, too bad the new CTS will not outperform the G35, as the G35 will still be cheaper, faster and handle better, but if the CST has the AWD, my wife will love to own one today, and please hurry up the wagon then I might opt for one too as i know that my next car has to be a wagon and hanndle better than most cars out there, so that leaves only the BMW 3-series for now, which I will never own one.
don't get me wrong, i'm just he type of guy that roos for the underdog, and BMW is top dog, so..
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BOB 11:09PM (3/09/2007)
#4-- SORRY ignorant comment -- you should have written $65,000, and the STS is better than an '86 Cimarron. UNFORTUNATELY -- Cadillac has earned almost any pot shot that could be taken, and it will be years before the bad memories are forgotten.
#5 --GLAD you like your cars, but, obviously, much of the buying public is not as impressed as a loyalist like you. BUT this will change, I am confident.
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far jr 11:10PM (3/09/2007)
GM leave the fender vents to Buick! I also agree with Bob... The SLS should be the new STS, not two models. But I disagree with Bob that the SLS is a result of the STS being a mistake in the first place. Bob, what is so "tired" about the STS underpinnings anyway?
Caddy is no BMW (yet) but they have some fine rides!
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mike mazz 11:48AM (3/10/2007)
did anyone notice that in the spy photo it is in a right drive configuration, i do not know if thats significant but isnt the zeta platform supposed to be right and left drive capable or are all platforms like that?
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SilverAero 11:32PM (3/09/2007)
I don't care what you haters have to say, I'm excited about this and nore of you are gonna take that from me with your unsubstanciated statements cause you never drove one. Even if it is a facelift and interior redesign, i'm looking forwrd to it. Go ahead now and say things like "fine settle for a worse car".
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david 11:51PM (3/09/2007)
bob, yeah, you could call me a loyalist, not so much a caddy loyalist as a car enthusiast. i have had other luxury cars and one of my best was an 88 continental. but for the money my personal opinion rides with the sts-v. incredible power, outstanding ride and this rwd handles like nothing i've ever owned. i drive over 100 miles per day and sometimes i wish for 200 more, but alas, i must return home. no, i'm not a caddy salesman. i have two mustangs a corvette a challenger and an mint 88 caddy allante with 15K and believe it or not, this is one of my favorites. i hope caddy restyles the dts soon, if they do, judging by what cadillac has done to it's lineup, i know it will be impressive.
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iQuack 1:30AM (3/10/2007)
Caddy is certainly a better brand now than it's been since its decline in the '70s through '90s. The upcoming 2008 CTS is a beautiful car IMO, and should perform well. The STS doesn't look that much different, but it looks fine now.
With respect to those vents on the sides of both the CTS and the STS, they're OK if they actually do something like channel air to some part of the engine. If they're just tacked-on chrome things with no purpose, then I think they degrade the car.
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BOB 5:57AM (3/10/2007)
___@10 AND #12: the STS plain styling, length and passenger room was a mistake, undoubtedly made to be more "European" The problematic interiors of some models are being brought up to snuff rather late in their life cycles, a shame. Cads dont compare directly to BMWs, nor should they, they should stand on their own.
I appreciate the experience of those who say they enjoy their present cars, but Cadillacs were once advertised as the Standard of the World, not the "I enjoy it and I will overlook a few things car". Let's keep pushing GM to raise the bar back up.
Re vents: Cadillac should not jump on obvious trends that many others are following -- the old Cadillac way would have been at least to incorporate the logo or a V into a unique, audacious vent, not swipe the vent of the Land Rover, which Kia,etc., could also copy.
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Johnorhan smileye 6:53AM (3/10/2007)
Does anyone know if this will have the new V8 engine Gm is currently developing in New York. if you know tell me
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Johnorhan smileye 7:00AM (3/10/2007)
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/18/gm-upgrading-ny-engine-plant-to-build-new-v8/
does anyone have anymore ideas
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Steve 9:46AM (3/10/2007)
Snix, its not that they are all bad, but they are getting played out very quickly. It's the new styling "thing". Look at the 08 Focus, it even has them for crying out loud!
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Be Oh Be 12:19PM (3/10/2007)
#19
The picture was taken of an image in a side view mirror - The Caddy is coming up from the side in the mirror, that's why it looks "backwards".
The new Caddy's are sweet. Personally, I believe they have more character than the German or Japanese competition, if only for their long history as being a totally American luxury car. I think their transformation into becoming truly competitive luxury cars over the last few years is great. They've got a generally well received brand image and I think they're going to continue to sell well over the next few years. The competition is stiff, but I honestly think the new CTS will definitely hold its own, and could potentially win some automotive rag comparison tests when it comes out this fall, especially against the G35 and IS350. Not saying it definitely will, but I think it certainly has a good chance. IMO, it certainly has them beat on styling. (And I'm talking about both the CTS and this upcoming STS when compared to their competition).
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