The STS (Seville Touring Sedan) is a mid-size luxury sports sedan / executive car sold by manufactured and sold by Cadillac. SLS (Seville Luxury Sedan) luxury sedan variation of the STS. It is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with performance algorithm shifting and driver shift control.
Origins
The STS is the successor to the Cadillac Seville. That car used the STS name, standing for Seville Touring Sedan on upscale performance-oriented versions beginning in 1988. In 1992, Cadillac split the Seville line into STS and less performance-oriented SLS (for Seville Luxury Sedan) trim lines. The next year, the STS got Cadillac's then-new Northstar System, including the aluminium DOHC L37 Northstar V8 engine. Throughout its existence, the STS was Cadillac's highest-priced sedan. Worldwide, the STS is Cadillac's flagship model. In the United States and Canada, the STS is positioned between the mid-size CTS and larger DTS, and is priced above the latter.
Safety
The Cadillac STS is rated with a four star frontal and five star rear passenger crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It was given an overall "Good" score in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety frontal crash test. And an "Acceptable" rating in the side impact test. In the side impact test injury measurements to the driver's pelvis was rated "Poor" and for the torso "Acceptable."
2005
The front wheel drive Seville was retired in 2004, replaced by an entirely new STS model based on the rear wheel drive GM Sigma platform. All wheel drive is offered as an option, the first Cadillac sedan to be available with this drive system. The STS carries on the Magnetic Ride Control suspension, which has bragging rights as being the 'fastest reacting suspension ever,' before it was ever utilized on newer Corvettes and Ferraris.
The Cadillac STS is assembled at GM's Lansing Grand River facility in Lansing, Michigan along with the smaller Cadillac CTS sedan and Cadillac SRX crossover SUV.
As of 2007, engines are a 3.6 L High Feature LY7 V6 with 255 hp (190 kW) and 252 lb·ft (342 N·m) and the 4.6 L Northstar LH2 V8 which puts out 320 hp (240 kW) and 315 lb·ft (427 N·m) in the STS. All engine models feature dual overhead camshafts with VVT. Remote ignition is standard. Although most 2005 and 2006 Cadillac STS models offer a 255 hp (190 kW) engine, an option for a 4.6 L 320 hp (239 kW) engine was available at the time through Cadillac's performance packages. As of 2007, Cadillac now has different packages and car models, which no longer support this option.
Wheelbase is 116.4 in (2957 mm), though overall length is shorter than the Seville. Interior space is greater than its predecessor, though. A heads-up display is optional, as is a 300 Watt Bose stereo system with MP3 capability. Base pricing starts at US$40,995, and extends to US$52,240 for the AWD V8 model.
2006
The 2006 V-series STS-V was introduced at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show. It features a supercharged 4.4 L version of the Northstar V8, along with handling upgrades. This engine is certified by the SAE to produce 469 hp (350 kW) and 439 lb·ft (595 N·m).
It went on sale in the United States in late 2005 for just under US$80,000.
In 2006, Cadillac introduced a stretched STS called the SLS . It is assembled by Shanghai GM, and in 2007 it was shown at the Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai. The SLS adds 3.9 inches (99.1 mm) of rear-seat legroom and has a different interior.
2008
For 2008, the STS has been updated. Changes include a refreshed exterior, with styling cues resembling the 2008 CTS, such as larger, more aggressive grille and chrome fender vents. The interior has also been updated, with new materials and a new steering wheel, though the overall interior design remains the same, despite previous rumors of an all-new interior similar to that of the Chinese-market SLS. The standard powertrain is now a direct-injected 3.6 L V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, which in the STS will produce 302 horsepower (225 kW) and 272 lb·ft (369 N·m) of torque. It also offers enhanced safety features, including a lane departure warning system, a blind spot monitoring system, and an improved version of GM's StabiliTrak stability control system, which can now operate the steering system in addition to the brakes to help correct a skid. Additionally, options previously limited to the V8 model (such as HID headlamps and heads-up display) are now available with the V6. The 2008 Cadillac STS debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show.
Chinese Cadillac SLS
For the 2007 model year, the Chinese market received the Cadillac SLS. Compared to the STS, the SLS has a longer wheelbase, unique interior appointments, and a near-identical exterior appearance. Engine choices are the 2.8-liter V-6, 3.6-liter V-6 (the non-direct-injection version shared with the 2005-2007 STS V-6), and the same 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 as in the STS V-8.
Yearly American Sales
Future
The automotive press has reported that the next Cadillac DTS is expected to merge with the Cadillac STS to create a single flagship sedan for the brand. Reports differ whether this model will be based on the front wheel drive GM Epsilon II platform, or will continue on the rear wheel drive GM Sigma platform
References
- ^ GM POWERTRAIN LAUNCHES NEW HYDRA-MATIC SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. GM.com press release, January 10, 2005. Retrieved on August 1, 2009.
- ^ Safecar.gov
- ^ "IIHS-HLDI: Cadillac STS". Iihs.org. 2008-11-25 . http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=242 . Retrieved 2009-08-22 .
- ^ "IIHS-HLDI: Cadillac STS". Iihs.org. 2008-11-25 . http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=828 . Retrieved 2009-08-22 .
- ^ http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/sedans/cadillac-ups-sts-horsepower-rating-to-302/
- ^ Ovidiu Sopa @ Xtreme WD. "2007 Cadillac Shanghai GM SLS Chinese Version | Cadillac". Supercarnews.net . http://www.supercarnews.net/2007-cadillac-shanghai-gm-sls-chinese-version . Retrieved 2009-08-22 .
- ^ http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=10702
- ^ http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=31596
- ^ http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=51161
- ^ Ralph Hanson (2009-04-10). "Cadillac exec confirms sub-CTS model and STS/DTS replacement". Motor Authority . http://www.motorauthority.com/cadillac-replacing-dts-and-sts-with-single-model.html . Retrieved 2009-07-19 .
- ^ Ganz, Andrew (July 2, 2009). "Insignia-based Cadillac DTS replacement to be called XTS?". LeftLaneNews . http://www.leftlanenews.com/insignia-based-cadillac-dts-replacement-to-be-called-xts.html . Retrieved 2009-07-13 .