You remember the SLS, don’t you? It is the Chinese-only version of our STS that gets a better interior and nearly 4 inches more length given almost entirely to the back seat. It satisfies a need that is unique to the Chinese market where the majority of people who can afford a Cadillac also employ a driver.

Well, there is a tidbit about the SLS that comes to us courtesy of AutoEvolution.com and suggests that a version of the GM 2.0l direct-injected, turbo 4-cylinder will be offered soon. If it packs the same punch as when put in the Opel Insignia also available in the Chinese market, it would supply about 220hp and more torque than the base V-6 currently offered.

It would allow Cadillac to offer higher fuel economy, in line with increasingly tight economy regs in China with similar performance to the current offerings.

It is unclear exactly when this engine will be offered for sale and if it will spell the end to the base V-6 offering (which would seem redundant once the turbo 4 is offered).

It is highly unlikely that Cadillac would make such a move in the US market with our reluctance to accept low cylinder counts in luxury models – despite the fact that the performance would likely match or exceed normally aspirated engines with more cylinders. However, no one would have predicted that the 3.6l DI V-6 would essentially have replaced the Northstar V-8 either, with the discontinuation of the V-8, it has.

Source: AutoEvolution

Categories: News, STS / SLS, Rumored Models
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Cadillac has been building the Northstar V-8 in various forms since 1992 – when it debuted in the 1993 Allante convertible.

Today is sees duty in the STS, DTS, and even in the top model of the Buick Lucerne.

We have known for some time that the Northstar was going away, especially in light of the 3.6l DI V-6 that puts out power nearly on par with the 4.6l Northstar. We also know that the plans for a high-tech V-8 to replace the Northstar have been shelved. What we didn’t know is exactly when the production would end.

It now appears that July 2010 will see the last Northstar produced.

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Categories: News, STS / SLS, DTS, Rumored Models
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GMI News is reporting that Cadillac is not listing a Northstar equipped level of the 2011 STS.

If this marks the end of the Northstar, it might also suggest that the DTS ends production at the end of the 2010 model year due to its only offering the Northstar.

We knew that the Northstar was near the end of its life, this just gives us the first sign that its end is near.

Source: GMInsideNews.com

Categories: News, STS / SLS
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Update: MotorTrend.com has posted this article describing the same thing – and they include a sketch of what such a car might look like.

Despite carjake.com’s reference to the STS/DTS replacement being due in 2007 – an obvious typo – this article confirms the Alpha-based sub-CTS family of models are still on their way.

In this economy, this is good news.

CarJake.com: Cadillac exec confirms sub-CTS model and STS/DTS replacement

Categories: BLS, STS / SLS, Rumored Models
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Wards has awarded the 3.6 direct injection V6 a spot on their 10 best engines list for the second year in a row.

The 3.6 DI does duty in the CTS, STS and several other GM products, each putting out upwards of 300+ hp.

Categories: CTS, STS / SLS, Awards
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