GM previews 2008 Chevy Malibu, Cadillac CTS, STS to dealers

General Motors on Thursday previewed a number of new products to dealers at a special event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Among the unveilings were the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 2008 Cadillac CTS, 2008/2009 Cadillac STS, production Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Pontiac G6 GXP Coupe.

"Everyone seemed genuinely thrilled with the new Malibu," one dealer source told Leftlane. "We all wish [we] could take deliveries tomorrow." So far, the general public has only seen spy photos of the new car, and the reaction has been generally positive. [See spy photos].

Reaction to the 2008 Cadillac CTS was also positive. "They don't need a new product as badly as Chevy or Buick, but this car will keep the momentum behind Cadillac," the source said. Multiple sources say the production 2008 CTS appears virtually identical to the concept previewed on 60 Minutes. [See recent CTS-V spy shots].





But the CTS wasn't the only new Cadillac on display. GM also previewed the 2008/2009 STS, which features a heavily reworked exterior. GM was believed to be working on a minor facelift to the STS, but those who attended the dealer meeting said GM previewed a completely revamped model. It's unclear when sales of the redesigned STS will begin. "They showed a clay model [of the new STS] and it looked a lot different from the one that's on lots now." GM officials reportedly said the new STS will be the same as the existing model under the skin, but would be redesigned inside and out.

Our source was particularly fond of the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave interiors. "Inside, the Enclave is a lot like the concept. Understandably, the interior was reworked a fair bit from the car we saw at the Detroit show, but touches like the leather-wrapped dash remain," the person said. "They made sure we noticed that."

It was a similar story with the GMC Acadia. "The interiors of both these cars look like they came straight from Japan."

GM also used the event to show the production version of the Pontiac G6 GXP Coupe. The car was shown as a "concept" in April, though the production version was widely expected to look the same. The G6 GXP uses a modified 3.9-liter V-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. [See full report].