SCOTT REYNOLDS
Staff Writer
When was the last time you were treated like royalty? When did you feel content, like you had everything you could ever want? Well. thanks to Cadillac, it happened about a week ago for me.
I have always been a bit of a performance buff, but I also like the freedom of a sedan. Sometimes I feel that in the automotive world these two desires are mutually exclusive, but I am going to have to re-think that position. The STS-V is one of three high performance “V” offerings from Cadillac. Based on an STS body and platform, the V-series edition has a similar face but very different guts.
The aesthetic changes are minimal, yet purposeful. First, a chrome wire mesh grill comes standard. This chrome mesh theme is echoed through the front and rear bumpers, as well. Next, the appearances of some tasteful V-series badging along the sides of the vehicle provide additional flash. This V car also has a small lip spoiler on the trunk, which provides additional downforce and pizzazz. Finally, the performance oriented, 18-inch wheels on the front of the vehicle and 19-inch wheels out back round out the visible changes between the STS and the V-series car. It does this by adding an aggressive stance.
Though these outer changes add some pop to the overall look of the car, the most notable and important changes happen beyond what can be seen. The STS-V has an absolutely monstrous 4.4 liter supercharged Northstar V8 under the hood. This means the V-series car is good for a staggering 469 horsepower and 439 pavement-wrinkling foot-pounds of torque. The rear-wheel drive, fed through a smooth six-speed automatic, helps this V-series move stunningly quick. The STS-V is capable of going 0 to 60 in about 4.7 seconds, an absolutely stunning feat for a car with a curb weight of 4,295 pounds. The power comes on so strong and quickly that it takes the mind a second to catch up.
Even if the STS-V only had that wicked motor working in its favor, it would still be one heck of a car. But, thanks to some additional performance upgrades, it is less of a lumbering powerhouse and more of an agile force with which to be reckoned. The fairly stiff steering feel can be attributed to a reworked spring and shock setup. Under the hood, there is a large strut tower bar that helps prevent body flex.
Finally, the brakes are supplied by one of the best brands in the business — Brembo. They allow for consistent, firm and fade-free stops.
Now, I started off by saying this car has basically everything, and I mean it. The car has an intelligent key that allows drivers to start the car by remote or, if they feel like getting in the car first, simply pressing the start button with the key in their pocket. Long story short, the key has a transponder in it that knows when someone is in the car for startup. It is a feature that does not get old.
The particular V-series also had a unique black leather interior with red inserts on the seats and dash. The list of interior accoutrements could go on, with additions like navigation and a Bose sound system, but I will cap it there.
This car was so good that I could not keep it to myself. I put President Andrew K. Benton behind the wheel to see what he thought. I think he, understandably, was “blown” away by the incredible supercharged power of the STS-V. Additionally, he commented on the positive feel of the Brembo brakes. Though I think Benton took pretty well to the exterior changes, he felt the red inserts on the interior were a bit flashy.
Unfortunately, nothing in life comes without a bit of compromise. With the STS-V, it is fuel economy and price. Though everything mentioned above (and more) comes as standard equipment, costing more than $77,000, Cadillac is not giving these cars away. The only thing added to the options list on this car was a $2,000 slap for gas-guzzler tax, just what you get for wanting all that motor.
The fuel economy on the V car is purely depressing, averaging between 14 and 20 miles per gallon. When I was driving the car, lighting up the rear tires with massive amounts of power was a real blast until I referred to the fuel gauge, which revealed that, after a couple of good pulls, I had burned off about a quarter of a tank. I calmed down a little bit and mixed in some freeway driving. That should have helped, right? Nope. I averaged 13.5 miles per gallon on my first tank in the V-series. And, that first tank was gone in one day. Ouch — it is a sobering reminder that power does not come cheap, especially since the vehicle takes premium gas.
The Cadillac STS-V is everything anyone could ever want in a car. It goes like stink, it is tame when you need it to be and it looks extremely classy. Do these things outweigh the up-front cost of the car and ongoing hurt of poor fuel economy? According to Benton and myself, yes — it is something purely presidential.
11-02-2006
