Caddy cool

PITSTOP

Seems like General Motors is quite prepared to take on the Germans with the Cadillac brand and its current range of automobiles. They have just unveiled at the New York Auto Show the new luxurious STS "� Cadillac's first large rear-wheel drive sedan in 25 years.

Based on the stretched CTS/SRX platform, the STS features a more restrained and raked look, and retains the new sharp-edged look of the premium American brand. The headlamps, for instance, are more slit-eyed and mounted lower.

Cadillac says the crisp look is due to the way the upper door edges extend into the roof and its tight shut-lines. The door construction also allows a roomier interior, despite the low roof line. The STS is backed up by 320 bhp of go supplied by the top option, a NorthStar V8. A 255 bhp V6 is also on offer. The V8 can be ordered with all-wheel drive too. The options list is quite long as well, as it should be on a car in this segment.

Acurative powers

No prizes for guessing if the Acura RL prototype, again a New York Auto Show debut, is production ready. It is. The styling is quite different from the usual Acura standards and it seems the brand is ready to target an younger audience.

Shorter and wider than the previous RL, the new one pushes the 20-inch wheels to the very corners and looks like it spends a good deal of time in the gym daily. The trunk might look like a 7-series jobbie, however Acura states it only increases loading space, and has nothing to do with the Beemer.

The RL will have an all-wheel drive system that distributes power front-to-back and side-to-side, which Acura claims is an industry first. As will be the real-time road condition updates on the navigation system. The 300 bhp, 3500cc, 24-valve VTEC on offer will come with a five-speed sequential auto transmission with a paddle shifter on the steering wheel.