2008 Cadillac STS Facelift: In Detail

[BMW_Dude]

Delivers signature styling and advanced performance technology

The 2008 Cadillac STS debuts next month with a new, 302-horsepower engine with direct injection technology that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions. In addition, Cadillac's luxury performance sedan also showcases enhanced signature styling and the addition of leading-edge safety technology. "For the past two decades, the Cadillac STS has been a showcase of luxury, performance and technology," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The enhanced 2008 model extends that with bolder design, more standard power, better fuel efficiency, improved emissions and new safety technology."

New direct injection V-6 debuts

For 2008, STS will be the first GM vehicle equipped with a new 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine. Direct Injection, an advanced system for more precise and productive fuel delivery, enables the rare achievement of simultaneous gains in power, fuel efficiency and emissions performance. The new standard engine for STS delivers a SAE-certified 302 horsepower (225 kW) at 6300 rpm,* 47 more horsepower (35 kW) than the previous 3.6-liter V-6. Torque is also increased to 272 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) at 5200 rpm,* an upgrade of 20 lb.-ft. (27 Nm). At the same time, the engine is expected to deliver improved fuel efficiency. Official EPA fuel economy statistics for the 2008 model have not yet been announced. On the outgoing 2007 model STS, EPA fuel economy is 18 mpg city and 27 mpg hwy. Additionally, direct injection's more efficient operation enables a 25-percent reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.
Coupled to the new V-6 engine will be the 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission, introduced last year on Northstar V-8 models, which has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a steep first-gear that helps deliver strong launch acceleration. The STS V-6 continues to be available with all-wheel drive for 2008.

New technology

Continuing Cadillac's commitment to the advancement of safety and performance attributes, the 2008 STS includes new systems and advanced technologies to enhance driver awareness and control. For the first time, Cadillac's acclaimed StabiliTrak electronic stability control system now includes the optional addition of active steering technology. In addition to controlling brakes and reducing engine power, the latest iteration of StabiliTrak combines active front steering to turn the front wheels into the skid when rear wheels lose traction. The system includes a new steering motor assembly combined with computer-driven electronic controls that measure wheel slippage at all four wheels independently during acceleration, braking and adverse road conditions.
Active steering will be available exclusively on all-wheel-drive V-8 models. GM's Lane Departure Warning System also debuts on the 2008 STS. Controlled by a camera located in the rearview mirror that reads the lines in the road, the system will alert drivers when they have strayed into another lane. Drivers get both an audible and visual alert cue.
When the Lane Departure Warning System is engaged, a driver traveling at 35 mph or more who crosses a detected lane marking without signaling is alerted in two ways: The system flashes an amber indicator light located in the fuel gauge of the instrument panel, and an alerting chime of three beeps is played. The system does not steer the vehicle; it is designed only to alert drivers so they can take appropriate action to move the vehicle back into the lane.
GM's Side Blind Zone Alert System extends and enhances driver awareness and vision. Alternating radar beams in Side Blind Zone Alert System sweep adjacent lanes of traffic, covering a zone of about one lane over from both sides of the vehicle, or 11 feet (3.5 m). The zone starts at each side mirror and goes back about 16 feet (5 m).
When the system is engaged, a driver will know that following vehicles in the adjacent lanes are entering their side blind zone when an amber symbol, located in the outside rearview mirror, is illuminated.
The system is not designed to detect vehicles outside of the side blind zone that may be rapidly approaching, or detect pedestrians, bicyclists or animals. It's designed to ignore infrastructure such as fire hydrants or parked cars. In addition, the system displays do not come on while the vehicle is approaching or passing other vehicles.
The Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert systems can be manually turned off by the driver.
A new performance handling package will be available for V-8-equipped rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models and V-6-equipped rear-drive models. The package includes 18-inch x 8.5-inch aluminum alloy, chrome-plated wheels fitted with new P255/45R18 Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only tires. Four-piston caliper Brembo brakes, with front rotors measuring 355 mm x 32 mm and 365 mm x 28 mm rear rotors, provide enhanced baking. All four rotors are vented.

A bolder new look, inside and out

The new STS injects more of the bold design flair that has become a Cadillac signature. Up front, the dual-textured, multi-faceted grille - first seen on the landmark Cadillac Sixteen concept car and incorporated on both the Escalade and soon-to-be-launched CTS - has been adapted to the STS. High Intensity Discharge lamps and the Intellibeam automatic high-beam system are added for the first time for V-6 models. The lower front fascia features a new intake and grille pattern evoking Cadillac's V-Series high-performance models. Similarly, side air extractors, again inspired by the Sixteen and Escalade, are now incorporated into the front fenders of STS. New chrome-plated door handles and lower rocker moldings are added for more presence and refinement. At the rear, the new fascia is now body color and is highlighted with polished aluminum three-inch exhaust tips. New, polished 18-inch x 8-inch aluminum 14-spoke wheels are available.
The luxurious interior of the STS includes a new steering wheel with available genuine Sapele Pommele wood trim. The center stack of the instrument panel is revised with the addition of wood and metallic trim.
The 2008 STS begins production this spring, with initial availability beginning in June.

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Source = WCF

[Kowalski]

No thanks.

I am 36 years old and my hips are still in function.

[Merc1]

The new V6 kinda makes the V8 pointless.

M

[Jackie]

I love the sophisticated appearance with multi-faceted grille in the Escalade. And, one thing more I like with the Escalade was its - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. I would love for both of this to be featured in the 2008 Cadillac STS. The rest of the features are good to me. That would be a good choice for a purchase in case I’d be able to earn enough for a new car. But still, I have few better choices.

[ateekt]

Caddy got "attitude", anyway ...!

[Merc1]

Motor Trend Video:

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Not bad looking and the sound ain't to shabby either.

M

[Bartek Sikorski]

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For years American premium cars have been the butt of jokes in the motoring world. Their reputation for terrible handling and substandard build quality often saw them overlooked by the new car buying public in favor of mostly European makes. Meanwhile, traditional German marques have continued to dominate the luxury segment and relative newcomer, Lexus, has also managed to gain a sizeable foothold in the competitive luxury car market.

Thus, those in the market for a well heeled, rear-wheel drive luxury car would more often than not look to BMW or Mercedes, but in this burgeoning segment new offerings from the American manufacturers are beginning to measure up to their foreign cousins and once again capture the attention of new car buyers around the world. So as a rear-wheel drive (or optional all-wheel drive) luxury sedan, just how does Cadillac’s updated STS measure up against its foreign counterparts who have largely set the benchmark for the segment?
Since the STS is a large sedan, its main competitors are the 5-series, E-Class or GS models. The Caddy offers three options in terms of engines - a V6, a V8 and a supercharged V8. Perhaps the most significant update from the 2007 model is the extra 47hp (35kW) to be found under the hood in the V6 model, which brings the 3.6L unit’s output to 302hp (225kW) and 369Nm (272lb-ft) of torque. The 4.6L Northstar V8, meanwhile, has not been updated and still musters 320 ponies (239kW) at a premium of $9,000 - though you do get extra equipment as well.
Also returning to the Cadillac stable this year is a Platinum Edition STS, which gets gold paint, bigger wheels and extra chrome to appeal to the more traditional Cadillac buyer, as well as a performance STS-V version with a 469hp (350kW) supercharged V8 engine. In terms of sales numbers, our money’s on the new V6, which packs in a lot of features for a relatively low price, is the most fuel-efficient, and carries almost as much power as the naturally aspirated V8 version.
The engine update in the V6 has been undertaken without a loss of smoothness - the 2008 STS is noticeably more powerful than the outgoing model without being unrefined, not to mention better sounding and slightly more fuel efficient thanks to the direct injection technology. The engine is also higher revving than the previous model, peaking at 7,000rpm compared to 6,700rpm.
The V6 also gets the same six-speed auto from the V8 rather than the five-speed unit found in the 2007 STS, and shifting through the gears is both smooth and quick. Cadillac claims the V6 STS should be able to hit 60mph in 6.5 seconds, which sounds about right although we didn’t do any stopwatch tests.
On the outside there has been a mild facelift and a new grill inspired by the stunning Cadillac Sixteen concept. Pictures don’t do justice to the presence of this car on the road. We picked up the vehicle from GM’s handy LAX parking service and drove to our nearby airport hotel. As we rolled up to the driveway a crowd gathered around the car and began to appreciate the chrome wheels, stand-out maroon paint, and sharp design. Californians may be some of the largest buyers of German and Japanese luxury cars but it’s obvious they still hold a special place in their heart for local produce.
Over the course of our test we discussed the cars with friends and strangers. Some complained about the new grille being too garish, especially when combined with all the bits of chrome that have been slapped on the door handles and bootlid, but others found it to be refreshing from the usual understated look of European cars.
Inside, the instrument panel has been improved and doesn’t suffer from the cheap feel of previous models. The steering wheel has been replaced by a smaller one, which improved the feel when driving around town, but the materials as well as the buttons feel like they’ve been lifted straight from GM’s cheaper models. The leather seats, however, are very comfortable and we experienced no back aches even after driving for a few hours. Rear passenger space and comfort is also very good.
A new feature in the ‘08 STS is Cadillac’s version of BMW’s active steering, which can add up to 12 degrees of steering input to make driving easier, but this is only available on V8 models equipped with AWD. The V6 model, meanwhile, is now available with an optional sports package. Previously this was limited to the V8 version but now the V6 STS can be upgraded to have Brembo brakes, 18in wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport tires as well.
Even with all the performance additions the STS retains all the qualities expected in a Cadillac. It’s still a big and comfortable cruiser, soaking up all the bumps and potholes with aplomb, but press the pedal and it turns into four-door performance sedan that can put a smile on your face. Shift the gearlever into its pseudo manual mode and the silky smooth V6 will happily rev all the way to redline. The torquey nature of the V6 means you won’t have to rev the engine to within an inch of its life to launch with some decent pace but it’s nice to know that you still can.
Sports mode is the setting we left the car in. The handling is a little sharper and the ride a little stiffer but the difference between it and the Touring mode is marginal at best and makes us wonder why GM decided to have two different settings. In either case, the STS tracks well through corners, with crisp turn-in and plenty of grip from the low-profile tires.
The STS has also gained some new safety technology, including a Side Blind Zone Alert system. The set-up uses radar to detect other vehicles located in the car’s blind spot and lights up a small icon on the side mirrors to give warning to the driver. In theory this system sounds good, however we found that there were times when the light would be activated even when there was no car, making it difficult to rely on. A second feature is a lane departure system that flashes a light on the dashboard and gives an auditory signal if the car detects you driving erratically. If, however, you find such systems annoying or distracting then they can be easily deactivated.
The 2008 STS has been updated thoroughly, and in terms of bang-for-your-buck you can’t look past the V6 version. The car has proven to be dynamically proficient, powerful and comfortable to drive in. Compared to its German rivals, the STS still has some way to go, especially in interior build quality, but it’s a marked improvement from previous models and is definitely worth looking at if you’re in the market for a spacious luxury sedan.
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