2005 Cadillac STS Photos Revealed

Cadillac's Northstar V8 has been a standout powerplant since it debuted in the Seville STS (and Eldorado) in 1993. For 2005 the Northstar system will once again include a

Cadillac's Northstar V8 has been a standout powerplant since it debuted in the Seville STS in 1993. (Photo: General Motors)

4.6-L 32-valve, DOHC V8. GM is being tightlipped about any engine upgrades, but be sure it won't launch an all-new model without some tweaking under the hood. The base engine will be a 3.6-L V6 with variable valve timing (VVT).

One thing the engineers won't have to worry about is torque steer. As expected the long-running front-wheel drive architecture is out the door for a new rear-wheel drive setup. Rear-wheel drive is en vogue for luxury cars now, due to improved at-the-limit handling and virtually unlimited engine output potential.

Rear-wheel drive is en vogue for luxury cars now, and the STS will follow suit, dumping the Seville's long-running front-wheel drive architecture. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

This is good news for performance fans, but no doubt some front-wheel drive devotees who chose the outgoing Seville for its traction in inclement weather will feel disenfranchised. Not to worry folks. The STS will also offer an all-wheel drivetrain. The luxury division's sensational Magnetic Ride Control suspension system will also be included.

The STS will be produced in Lansing, Michigan at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, where the CTS and SRX sport utility/wagon crossover are currently produced. Expect it to arrive in Cadillac showrooms this fall and be priced slightly higher than the current Seville.