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Claudia Hommel
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Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 Cadillac STS-V by Cordell Koland Back in the 1980s when I first began to cover the automotive industry, attending Cadillac press conferences unveiled a great exercise in self-delusion, particularly for a journalist living on the west coast. In those days, Cadillac officials would say something like, ³sure those Europeans have some snappy cars, but we're still number one in sales.² That seems like a long time ago. Cadillac is definitely not number one in sales, nor particularly dear to the hearts of the luxury car buyers I know. In the meantime, Cadillac has invoked a series of turnaround strategies, which in fairness have made some difference. And part of the latest Cadillac manifesto is the introduction of high performance cars, distinguished by the addition of the letter V. Cadillac noticed a couple of years ago that its German competitors were successfully developing high-performance models, such as the BMW M and Mercedes-Benz AMG models, which are based on existing models with special engines and suspensions bolted on. Currently, Cadillac bestows its high-octane V-series designation on three vehicles. Our test vehicle, the STS-V moves the company's flagship sedan up a notch with a supercharged V-8 engine that belts out a solid 469 horsepower mated with an all-new six-speed automatic transmission. A polished stainless steel wire mesh front grille distinguishes the new model. The interior is defined by ash burl wood and aluminum accents as well as suede seat inserts. All things considered, the STS-V mid-size, rear-wheel-drive super sedan is a step forward in giving the brand some juice. And in some ways, I actually prefer Cadillac's simplistic approach to performance, in comparison to the ultra high-tech direction of the BMW M5, which takes a degree in computer engineering to truly master. The Cadillac approach is very basic, start the car, grab the steering wheel, mash the accelerator and let the 469 horsepower do the talking. You don't have to fool around with a lot of exotic engine and suspension settings to make it work. But just when I was sort of getting excited about the STS-V, my 27-year-old son, who's a manager at a snappy Silicon Valley start-up, threw a wet blanket on the whole thing with his statement, "this is an old man's car." While one might argue with his assertion, his perception pretty much defines the reaction of most people under 50. When my son envisions an aspirational vehicle, he thinks of an Acura or a BMW. So let's look at the STS-V, particularly how it succeeds against the imports that are defining the segment. While I'm not a big fan of the hard edges that define the current generation of Cadillacs, at least the profiles are distinctive. On the other hand, the interior in the STS-V is disappointing. Interior design is an area in which our domestic automobiles fall short. The Cadillac lacks the high-touch design and the use of high-quality materials that define import luxury cars. In terms of engine performance, few can complain about the mighty supercharged V-8 that lurks under the hood. Each engine is hand assembled from start to finish by a single craftsman at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, despite the engine's huge torque output. If you go fast, you need to stop; Cadillac has outfitted the STS-V with Brembo high-performance vented cast-iron disc brakes with four-piston calipers. This setup brings everything to a stop very quickly. The Cadillac is refined enough for daily driving under most conditions. The ride quality is excellent for this type of high-performance automobile. On the other hand, while the STS-V with its heavily modified suspension can sustain very high lateral cornering forces, I found the handling disappointing. The car simply lacks the road feel and precise turn-in that has become the standard for the better European and Japanese sports sedans. The steering and suspension do not deliver the type of feedback to the driver that has defined the luxury-sport genre over the last two decades. Vehicle:
Cadillac STS-V
Price as tested: $77,090 Engine: Type: 4.4-liter supercharged V-8 Horsepower: 469 @ 6,400 rpm Torque: 439 lbs.-ft. @ 3,900 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 14 mpg Highway 20 mpg Curb Weight: 4,295 lbs.  Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
