STS Scott Posted August 30, 2005 Report Share Posted August 30, 2005 Tonight my family and I are attending the official unvealing of the new V series STS and XLR, at the GM tech center in Warren. I will be all eyes and ears tonight, and can't wait to experience it! I'll share everything I back to caddyinfo! The program says the speakers will be Brad Saxman, program engineering manager for the XLR, Greg Prior, design system engineer for Northstar V8s, and John Barrick, program engineering manager for the STSv. The event starts with social hour at 5:30, followed by dinner, and then the presentation at 7:30. Thanks to Bruce for posting the notice to this event, otherwise I would have not had the opportunity to attend! " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted August 30, 2005 Report Share Posted August 30, 2005 Yay. And if they hand out sample STS-V's, get me one too. Sounds like an interesting evening. Bruce 2016 Cadillac ATS-V gray/black Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davedog Posted August 30, 2005 Report Share Posted August 30, 2005 will they allow you to bring a digi-cam? -dave Crystal Red Tintcoat Exterior | Shale/Brownstone Interior | 32k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Wowwee! What an amazing event! We just returned, and I can't wait to share everything with all of you guys! LOL, sorry Bruce, there was a handful of STS-Vs on display, but I couldn't talk anyone into "borrowing" the keys! and Dave, you bet I brought my digi-cam! (and made good use of it too!) I'll post the pics along with this...after all, my words can;t describe how amazing these cars were. The speaches given by each of the 3 guys I mentioned were extremely technical, accompanied by a power-point presentation to follow along with the specific parts and systems they were talking about. We spent the first part of the evening in the large lobby of the building. It is a very new building with lots of glass. There were a number of cars on display among the caddies, including a new Pontiac Solstice and a Chevy SSR. The silver STS-V and maroon XLR-V were accompanied by a display next to each of them with their supercharged Northstars and transmissions on display. You could sit in any one of the cars, and most of the people were opening up the hoods, examining every inch of the cars. They had alot of the parts 'cut away' on the powertrain displays so you coyld see the internals of the motors. I was suprised at the differences between the two cars motors, mostly in the intake and exhaust. Those differences were dicussed by the engineers in their presentation. They also had a silver CTS-V, CTS-V racing car, and a new CTS with the upcoming performance package on display. That performance package does alot for the car! There are V-style influences including mesh inlayed Behind the grill, big STS style wheels, and a STS-V style spoiler. They eventually ushered the 350 guests (a sold out event) to the large, open presentation/ dinning area at the one end of the building. The whole one end of the building over looked the man-made lake that surrounded that end of the building. The meal was so-so, but we were sitting at a table with engineers from PPG automotive glass, who were a great group of guys. I think I learned just as much about glass tonight as I did about the V-series cars! lol When dinner was done, they dimmed the lights and started up the presentation. it was really well done, with the screening of the "Bang!" Cadillac V commercial on the screen, and then an introduction followed by the engineers speaking up on the podium. They explained nearly every system, part, and function of the two cars, aswell as their goals and aspirations of the V-program. I really made you feel good to be a Cadillac enthusiast because you realize what a kick-*smurf* jod they are doing behind the scenes. I got goosebumps a few times through the presentation, for being so moved by their efforts, and how they talked about their dedication to make the cars the best...period. I've got a fair number of pics, but I'm sure you guys want to see them all. (They are the best part!) There is about ten, so I'll do them one at a time First, this is what the exterior of the tech center looks like. The entire complex is huge, with buildings for each GM division, this was just the main building. The interior of the glass area around the end is where we sat for dinner and the presentaion... " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Here was the entrance, which was complemented nicely by a stellar set of V-series cars! " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Here is a better look of those cars out front. That is me and my Dad with 'our set of cars' By the way, I'm the one with hair! " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Next up, inside. In the center of the room (which you can see right through in teh above photo) was the main event... an STS-v and an XLR-V on display, accompanied by their powertrains... " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Here is a good shot of the supercharged Northstar. You can get a good look at the incredible supercharger internals (the black turbine). The supercharger housing actually increased the structual rigidity of the motor. They also stressed that these were not merely bolted on. The engines are hand built entirly with V-spec parts. Only the crank shaft carries over abeit added balancers, from the stock N*. " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 This was the performance package equiped CTS. It was a stick shift with the 3.6L motor. Note the V-style mesh inlayed behind the different grill, and the very STSish wheels. " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 And the rear... check the big exhaust and spoiler! " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 This was the presentation area, after the event... " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Thats all folks! What do you guys think? I learned so much tonight, that if I didn;t mention something just ask, I love to share everything I can about the event! " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 How did you get to go to this event? Open to the public? Buy tickets? Know someone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Bruce posted a notice of the event a few weeks ago here on the board here... http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=6804&hl= Both my Dad and I took interest in it, so we called and purchased tickets and dragged my mom to it. LOL They had alot of 'open' tables for people like us, but most of the guys (and some women) were sitting at SAE engineer reserved tables. " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyman_2 Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I fixed the two CTS pics for you in PhotoShop. Wish I could've gone there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Nice report. Sounds like it was a very interesting night. The new CTS appearance set grill looks good. I was wondering if the appearance group included side panel moldings like on the CTS-V but it doesn't look like it does. Also new is an 18-inch Sport Appearance Package that includes all of the features of the 18-inch Performance Package, plus newly designed specific 18-inch wheels; restyled rocker moldings; dual exhaust tips; new front sport grille and a rear spoiler Well, I guess it does but maybe it is more obvious in person, or side by side with a regular CTS? The STS-V seems like a wonderful car; too bad it has to cost $70K+. The new M5 is going to be $90K plus though I think, and you have to know someone to get one -- 12 month wait or so is what I read. Sounds great to hear from the engineers what they were trying to do. I think if more of the public could hear the voices/people behind the cars they would appreciate the effort more. Bruce 2016 Cadillac ATS-V gray/black Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob D Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 The STS-V seems like a wonderful car; too bad it has to cost $70K+. The new M5 is going to be $90K plus though I think, and you have to know someone to get one -- 12 month wait or so is what I read. Sounds great to hear from the engineers what they were trying to do. I think if more of the public could hear the voices/people behind the cars they would appreciate the effort more. I was thinking about that too Bruce, and the comparison came out last night in a conversation...Think about what's even close in performace/handling/luxury. They're foriegn (with some serious ongoing reliabilty issues) and start at 90++ grand. For 75K the STS-V will give you a whole lot of bang for your buck, and leave at least 25 thousand in your pocket...Not bad.. Now, it's just coming up with that first 75 thousand... PS, talked with someone last night who's actually driven the STS-V. He said that blown 4.4 N* pulls as hard in second, third, fourth, fifth as it does it first. The power just keeps coming and coming...Add the fact that it corners like it's on rails, with a drop dead gorgeous interior and it's quite an experience. '93 STS.. opened, dropped, wide...fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Oh, I hope they sell a TON of STS-V's. That's the only way I think I could get one in my driveway is if there are a lot of them out there, and they depreciate on schedule. Bruce 2016 Cadillac ATS-V gray/black Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 They stressed that they STS-V's goal was not an all out racing car...that was reserved for the CTS-V. The goal for both the XLR and STS Vseries cars was a happy meduim between world beating performance, and ultra luxury. " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davedog Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Thanks for the report and pics and making us feel like we were there too! -dave Crystal Red Tintcoat Exterior | Shale/Brownstone Interior | 32k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STS Scott Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Thanks for the report and pics and making us feel like we were there too! -dave My pleasure Dave! I wish we all could have been there too. There was mention in one of the speeches how much Cadillac has attracted an enthusiast following with clubs and organizations dedicated to the brand. I immediatly (sp?) thought of Caddyinfo and how right he was. Alot of the people there were not true Cadillac enthusiast, just SAE members who were involved in other automotive realms. I had an electrical engineer from Hyundai sitting next to me at the table. He sort of kept to himself, and couldn't speak english very good, in contrast to the lively bunch from PPG glass. Through most of the presentation the guy seemed to be off in his own little world! At times when I would be rivetted with interest, he would be playing with a fork or something! I would have much rather had a fellow Caddyinfo member sitting in his spot, to appreciate the program like I was! There were times when they would say something neat like "no compromises were made" or something like that, which really conveyed their enthusiasm at the awesome cars they were creating. My Dad and I would just look at each other and smile. I'm sure we were both thinking "Cooool"! " ...'took my Cobra down t' the track, hitched to the back o' my Cadillac..." - Jan & Dean, 'hey little cobra' Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob D Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Oh, I hope they sell a TON of STS-V's. That's the only way I think I could get one in my driveway is if there are a lot of them out there, and they depreciate on schedule. Bruce, I know watcha mean.... '93 STS.. opened, dropped, wide...fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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