THE COMEBACK CAR
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Mon, Sep 5, 2005
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
© All
photos by Harvey Schwartz
THIS ONE CAN RUN WITH THE
BEST Model year 2005 marks Cadillac's return to the top tier of
luxury performance sedans. The CTS marked the beginning of Cadillac's return to
rear-wheel drive, and the all-new STS makes it complete. The STS is as good as,
and even better in some ways, than the Mercedes-Benz S500, BMW 745i, Lexus LS430
and Jaguar XJ8 that cost thousands of dollars more. SPECIFICATIONS
By HARVEY
SCHWARTZ
The power is ready,
the handling is outstanding, and the isolation over bumps is perfectly dialed
in. The interior comfort, luxuries and safety systems are on par with the other
top-tier makes.
All it takes is getting behind the power tilt,
telescopic, heated, leather-wood wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel, then
starting the engine by simply pushing the start button. The 4.6 liter Northstar
V8 comes alive with very little sound and no vibration. The body structure
design and acoustics have been engineered to give a quiet interior - ready to
enjoy the magnificent Bose.5.1 Surround Audio/Video system.
The design of the STS is less
dramatic than both the CTS and XLR roadster, toning down the new Cadillac
signature 'Art & Science' architecture with the stealth bomber angles and
facets. However, it still remains striking. The STS front fascia features the
signature V-shaped egg crate grille and stacked headlamps from those two models,
but the front and rear have more crisp lines.
The lower wide
air-intake is covered with stainless steel wire mesh, similar to the
higher-performing Cadillac V-Series full front wire mesh.
The silhouette
shows short front and rear overhangs, steeply raked A and C pillars, and sharply
contoured lower rocker panels that track rearward from the front fascia's bottom
edge pulling the body down thereby adding a ground effects look. The STS spent
many hours in the wind tunnel just getting the aero-styled power
remote/heated/self-dimming side mirrors to cut through the air with less wind
noise. The side windows are also pulled down slightly and resemble the design of
the new Chrysler 300 sedan. In the back are Cadillac's signature tale vertical
tail/brake lamps with LED bulbs, two large backup lamps in the center, wide,
dual chrome exhaust tips below the bumper at each side, and an optional spoiler
mounted on the deck lid. Standard backup assist sensors are mounted in the
center of the bumper.
The STS looks like it was carved out of a single piece of
metal. All body panels are made of two-sided galvanized steel sheet metal with
minimum gaps between the stampings. The new more rigid and torsional, unitized
welded steel body features a direct-mounted front cradle and rubber-isolated,
multi-link suspension assembly.
The STS rides on gorgeous 17x8 aluminum
wheels wrapped with 235/50R17 Michelin Pilot tires, or you can option for the
18x8 aluminum wheels wrapped with 255/50R18 Michelin Pilots.
The all-new
STS looks fast and luxurious, and it is.
Power is generated by the award
winning Northstar 4.6 liter, 90-degree, all-aluminum DOHC V8 engine with VVT for
added response at low rpms. This V8 generates 320 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, and
315 lb.ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The sophisticated engine is mated to GM's
top-of-the-line Hydra-Matic 5L50-E speed-speed electronically-controlled
automatic with lockup torque converter, driver shift control and performance
algorithm liftfoot.
The Luxury/Performance packaged STS that I tested came with a
limited slip differential to help keep the power down on the pavement at launch.
The limited slip differential is not available with
all-wheel-drive.
Acceleration is quick and fluid, a 0-60 mph time of 6.2
seconds, and the quarter mile in 14.2 seconds at 97.5 mph. These numbers are on
par with the best of the competition.
Where the STS outpaces the
competition is the incredible ride and handling.
On new, seamless
blacktop you are riding on glass. When the freeway undulates, the wheels move up
and down but the chassis stays flat for incredible control. When you're rounding
a turn at speed the body stays flat and the tires bite into the curve like a hot
knife through butter. It's like you are pushed up against a wall. It's so sharp
and so well dialed in, its scary. This shows that Corvette handling can be
duplicated in a GM sedan.
On bumps and poorly paved roads, you don't feel any
harshness or quick jolts at all. The STS's independent suspension is the perfect
combination of comfort and control.
This very special fully
independent suspension system includes, up front, a short/long arm modified
double-wishbone setup, coil-over-shocks with magnetic ride control, and a 33mm
hollow stabilizer bar. The rear suspension features a modified multi-link setup
with coil springs, magnetic ride control shocks with pneumatic load leveling,
and a 19 mm solid stabilizer bar.
The ZF Servotronic II variable assist rack & pinion
steering is perfectly matched with great on-center feel, and quick response to
your inputs. Just a slight touch of the wheel moves the STS where you want it to
go. The STS gets through the 600ft. slalom at 64.4mph, faster than the S500,
LS430 and Jaguar XJ8. The STS is a joy to drive on the streets, especially on
the freeways.
Quickly slowing you down are big, powerful brakes,
12.7-inch vented discs with dual-piston calipers up front, and 12.6-inch vented
discs in the rear with big single piston calipers. These brakes are enhanced
with ABS, brake assist, high-performance brake pads, and works with the traction
control and StabiliTrak stability control systems.
It only takes 113
feet to stop this 3,921 pound luxury performance sedan from 60mph, shorter than
the LS430, S500 and Jaguar XJ8.
The all-new STS continues to impress on
the inside, with both style and substance.
All four doors open wide to reveal
a sumptuous, roomy interior for four adults.
The leather seats are very
comfortable and very supportive with eight-way power adjustments/lumbar
control/heating/cooling. Rear seats feature adjustable headrest, a pull-down
center armrest with dual cupholders, and heated seat bottoms.
The beefy power
tilt/telescopic/heated steering wheel is wrapped in the same leather with wood
on top for the perfect feel and position for fluid operation. There are controls
on the three-spoke wheel for the audio system, computer, sound mute, and to turn
on the heating element in the wheel. The instrument cluster is straight ahead
and easy to see. A big 160 mph speedometer and 8,000 rpm tachometer are ringed
in silver. Smaller gauges for fuel and engine coolant temperature are at the
ends. Bright LED readouts warn of system or safety problems. The lower center
features a wide LED screen with readouts for a vast number of checks and
real-time information. There is also an optional Head's-Up display that enhances
safety by giving you important information about the car without taking your
eyes off the road. All buttons, dials and levers are within easy reach and fully
illuminated for safe nighttime driving.
Tasteful amounts of optional
eucalyptus wood line the center stack, dashboard, center console, shifter top,
and all-four door arm switch plates. Standard in the STS are real aluminum trim
pieces. The stick shifter is easy to use and is positioned in a chrome gate. The
center console comes with dual-cupholders and a deep bin with padded leather
top. The STS also comes standard with electronic, dual-zone climate control,
cruise-control, variable speed wipers/washers, a large, 13.8 cubic feet trunk
capable of carrying four sets of golf clubs, adaptive remote start,
eight-speaker Bose audio system with CD, power windows/door locks with all
express up/down, keyless access with push button start, ultra-sonic rear park
assist, trip/system computer with personalization, grab handles at all four
doors, and thick pile carpeting with thick floor mats.
Options on
the Luxury Performance package test vehicle included multi-driver memory
settings, heated/cooled front seats, heated wood steering wheel, eucalyptus wood
trim, Bose 5.1 studio surround sound with in-dash 6-disc CD/DVD/MP3 player,
15-Bose speakers, including two at the sides of the headrest at each front seat,
plus an advanced DVD navigation system on a big 8in. screen, XM satellite radio,
rain sensing wipers/washers, adaptive cruise-control, auto-dimming rearview
mirror, homelink garage door opener, high-intensity HID headlights, intellibeam
auto high beam control, headlamp washers, magnetic ride control, and electric
sunroof.
Standard
safety features include driver/front passenger front and side impact airbags,
head curtain side impact airbags, three-point safety belts for all five seating
positions with front seat belt pretensioners/load limiters, OnStar system for
one year, ultrasonic rear pack assist, theft detent system, power programmable
door locks, auto dimming rearview mirror with compass, electrochromic
self-dimming driver's side mirror, halogen headlamps, front/rear crush zones,
steel beams in each door and an energy absorbing steering
column.
Cadillac has successfully come back from a long way behind and
now offers some of the best looking, powerful, performance and luxury driven
lineup of vehicles on the market.
All it takes is a test drive if you can
afford the $58,090.00 price tag for my test STS.
© All text and
photographs by Harvey Schwartz
For more information on Cadillac products,
go to http://www.cadillac.com/.
More
photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com
Name of vehicle:
2005
Cadillac STS
Price of vehicle:
$47,025.00 base, $58,090.00 as
tested
Engine type:
4.6 liter, 90-degree, all-aluminum DOHC V8 with
VVT
Horsepower:
320hp at 6,400 rpm
Torque:
315lb.ft. at
4,400 rpm
Drive configuration:
Front engine/rear-wheel-drive/optional
all-wheel-drive
Transmission type:
Five-speed
electronically-controlled automatic with lockup torque converter, driver shift
control and performance algorithm liftfoot
Front
suspension:
Independent, short/long arms, coil-over magnetic ride control
shocks, 33 mm hollow stabilizer bar
Rear
suspension:
Independent, modified multi-links, coil springs, magnetic
ride control shocks, pneumatic load leveling, 19 mm solid stabilizer
bar
Wheels/tires:
17x8 aluminum wheels/235/50R18 Michelin Pilot tires
standard, 18x8 aluminum wheels/255/50R18 Michelin Pilot tires
optional
Brakes:
Front - 12.7-inch vented discs with dual piston
calipers
Rear - 12.6-inch vented discs with single piston calipers
ABS,
traction control, StabiliTrak stability control, optional high-performance brake
pads
Overall length:
196.3 inches
Overall width:
72.6
inches
Overall height:
57.6 inches
Curb weight:
3,921
pounds
MPG mileage specs:
17 mpg/city, 26
mpg/highway
0-60mph:
6.2 seconds
60 mph-0:
113
feet