While the overall design of the STS interior isn't as daring as BMW's 5-Series or as awe-inspiring as Mercedes-Benz' E-Class,
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| The 4.6-litre engine, featuring 32-valves and dual overhead cam architecture, sports 320-horsepower, available at 6,400 rpm, and 315 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
its materials quality, fit, finish and ergonomics are top notch, and equal to its German rivals. I took the time to poke around the test model that arrived at my home later in January, just prior to spinning its tires, literally, during a winter test of Cadillac's much improved lineup in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (see news archives for January 29th, 2005: Cadillac Shows Up Competition in Winter-Condition Testing) - more on that in a minute - and found it every bit as well made as the car featured in the Detroit show. January was pretty warm and relatively dry on the West Coast, so I was able to test out the new Cadillac's high-speed performance and tenacious levels of grip throughout the many curving roadways that make up the street and highway system around my home. First and foremost, the upgraded Northstar V8 is an extremely flexible engine, laying down power to the rear wheels, or all-wheels if the
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| Both available engines put power down to the wheels via a a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic with manual mode. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
optional all-wheel drivetrain is chosen, with an immediate intensity that some of its competitors lack. The 4.6-litre engine, featuring 32-valves and dual overhead cam architecture, sports 320-horsepower, available at 6,400 rpm, and 315 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, easily enough to charge the somewhat hefty 1,779 kilo (3,922 pound) sedan to 100 km/h in only 6.0 seconds. The V6 powered STS, which sheds 29 kilos (64 lbs) over its V8 sibling, is nowhere near as invigorating, but its 3.6-litre mill is plenty sophisticated by GM standards, featuring 24-valves and dual overhead cams, resulting in 260-horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 252 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm.
