2006 Cadillac STS -V: Supercharged Elegance

[Bruce Nunnally]

+ New 440-horsepower Supercharged Northstar V-8 Engine

+ New Hydra-Matic Six-Speed Automatic Transmission

+ Chassis Tuned for the Track or Autobahn

+ Exterior Design Combines Elegance, Performance, Functionality

+ Leather-Wrapped, Performance-Refined Interior

DETROIT – The 2006 Cadillac STS-V is General Motors’ most intense expression of Cadillac power and performance yet, and the luxury nameplate’s latest offering in its growing family of high-performance V-Series vehicles.

The STS-V carries all the craftsmanship and sophistication of its STS sibling, but does so at an entirely different level. Designed for everyday driving, the STS-V has been developed to deliver supercharged, rear-drive performance with an elegant design statement that is unmistakably Cadillac.

At the heart of the STS-V is a new, 4.4-liter version of the Northstar engine outfitted with a positive displacement intercooled supercharger. The dual overhead cam (DOHC) V-8 engine delivers the highest horsepower rating of any production Cadillac engine to date.

Called the Northstar V-8 SC (supercharged), the engine produces 440 horsepower (328 kW) at 6400 rpm and 430 lb.-ft. (583 Nm) of torque at 3600 rpm (power and torque figures estimated) – and the engine’s power is underscored by its ability to deliver 90 percent of its peak torque between 2200 and 6000 rpm. Vehicle redline is 6700 rpm.

The Northstar V-8 SC generates 120 horsepower (90kW) and 115 lb.-ft. (156 Nm) of torque more than its naturally aspirated counterpart, while its specific output of 100-horsepower-per-liter makes it one of the world’s highest specific output production V-8 engines.

However, the Northstar V-8 SC used in the STS-V is more than just power and torque. The DOHC engine includes variable valve timing that enables outstanding top-end performance while maintaining the expected refinement and quality associated with a luxury marque.

The aggressive torque curve enabled by the choice of a supercharged engine gives the STS-V acceleration capable of placing it firmly in the under-5-second-club for 0-to-60 time. The refined shift feel is enabled by careful electronic calibration of both the engine and transmission. During shifts, power is instantaneously lowered, then ramped back up carefully to make gear changes virtually unnoticeable.

The Northstar V-8 SC is mated to the all-new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission – the first use of GM’s new six-speed automatic. The 6L80 – the only transmission offered on the STS-V – is one of the most technologically advanced automatic transmissions in the industry, using clutch-to-clutch operation and an advanced integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts.

The 6L80 also incorporates a host of advanced driving enhancement features, including advanced Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS) and Driver Shift Control (DSC). PAS lets the electronic transmission controller override the automatic gear selection during closed throttle high lateral acceleration maneuvers, rapidly downshifting with the release of the torque converter clutch for smooth powering up when the throttle is reopened. Driver Shift Control allows the driver to sequentially shift gears manually via the gearshift lever.

The STS-V has been tuned for performance on virtually every road condition and environment including GM’s all-new Milford Road Course facility and the Nordschleiffe (North Course) at Nürburgring.

As a result of this extensive development, the vehicle has track-capable acceleration, braking and cornering abilities. This is due, in part, to increased tire sizes (P255/45R18 front, P275/40R19 rear); increased brake rotor diameters, larger pad areas, and larger calipers; increased stiffness stabilizer bars and suspension springs; a faster steering ratio; and chassis tuning aimed at delivering high performance without punishing the driver.

Exterior elements on the STS-V enable higher-performance capabilities; yet express the sophisticated elegance associated with the STS name. Exterior refinements include:

A larger, polished stainless steel wire mesh front grille that enables the required additional airflow for engine heat dissipation. The wire mesh grille not only signifies the sedan as a V-series, but is also a heritage cue – wire mesh grilles were applied on the Cadillac V-16, the standard bearer of luxury and performance in the 1930s;

A new, lower front fascia that incorporates a larger lower grille (also wire mesh) for increased cooling capability; brake ducts for front caliper and rotor cooling; and splitter to counteract lift created by larger grille openings;

A new lower rear fascia that facilitates smooth airflow under the vehicle for improved cooling;

Lower rockers that visually bridge the lowered front and rear fascias;

A specific, fluidly sculpted hood designed to provide space for the engine’s supercharger;

Ten-spoke, flangeless, painted aluminum alloy wheels that assist in brake cooling.

Front wheels are 18 x 8.5 inches; rear wheels are 19 x 9.5 inches;

A higher, more rearward-positioned rear spoiler that enables balanced aerodynamic downforce with the front splitter; and

V- series badging prominently displayed on the vehicle’s rear decklid and front doors along with “Supercharged” block lettering on the doors.

The interior of the STS-V reflects craftsmanship with the addition of more leather-wrapped surfaces to promote a high-quality, tactile feel and distinctive, crafted appearance. Interior refinements include:

Hand-wrapped leather surfaces throughout;

Olive Ash Burl wood appointments;

Kinetic-finished aluminum accents;

Sueded fabric seat inserts;

V -series badging in the instrument cluster, on the instrument panel, and on door sill plates; and

A new Tango Red color accent offering that is applied on seat inserts (front and rear), console, center armrest, lower instrument panel and door mid-sections (front and rear).

Additionally, the 2006 STS-V will offer the GM-exclusive Advanced Automatic Crash Notification system. The AACN system detects collisions, even rollovers, regardless of whether air bags deploy. AACN also transmits other crash data, such as the direction of impact force, the number of and which air bags deployed and the maximum change of impact velocity, so that emergency responders are more prepared with this critical information before they arrive at the accident scene.

The STS-V was engineered and executed by GM’s Performance Division, an in-house center designed to explore potential enthusiast-oriented versions of production models. No engineering, design or assembly functions were outsourced – the vehicle is truly an original equipment offering.

Like its STS sibling, the STS-V will be built at GM’s state-of-the-art Lansing Grand River (LRG) assembly center beginning in 2005. In 2004, the LGR facility received JD Power’s highest award for plant quality in North America .

The STS-V is expected to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2005.

[tjtjwdad]

Bruce,

Are these going to be limited production cars? Just curious!

Jim

[jschunke]

Lutz us nutz. Sure, most crave for a V, but who can afford it?

What's he gonna do if gas permanently jumps above $3.00

a gallon? How does this prepare for 2007, when the Chinese start

importing cars for 30% less than any American car? I think

this power craze signals a top and is irresponsible - morally,

environmentally and economically.

[yenko]

If you can afford one in the first place I think you can afford the $3 a gallon gasonline! As for the power craze being irresponsibe, maybe, but It just makes me want to have one even more! Who doesn't like power! What do you think of the Toyota Prius? Just Joking.

[cadillac_caddy_sts]

Thats an amayzing machine there I hope to see one in person u never can tell what they look like exactly till u see it in person!

[tjtjwdad]

bbobynski Posted on Jan 10 2005, 03:45 PM

"limited" in what sense...??

I was just wondering if this or the other "V" cars were limited production cars, such as the Dodge Viper and Ford GT-40 for example.

[STYES]

There will be enough V cars to meet the demand. They will not be like the GT-40, and Caddy is dedicated to meet whatever demand that the market brings. There are no waiting lists for the CTS-V.

[sts man]

On speed chanel I the the best of 2004 racing. I saw the what looked like the sts v racing and it kicked *smurf* on all the other cars the only one that got him was the audi in other races it was a rush to see. I know it was the race virson of the sts v but the sound of the exhaust was unreal I could'nt sleep thinking of that car.How much is it going to cost?I bet in the 60,000 range.Save your money guys.

[Julio]

I'ld love to have one but unless I win the lotto or find one in 10 years with 130K on it and a broken AC I'll never have one. But I'll go out to the caddy dealer they lock those in the show room you know so I'll probably have to trick them into think I could afford it just so they'll unlock it long enough for me to sit in it. That would be cool!!