Cadillac, an American symbol of aspiration for generations, seemed to be

Large, in charge and on the path to being a new luxury leader. (Photo: Cadillac)

wandering through dark years of engineering as a cost cutting target and design as an exercise in humiliation, while its parent corporation struggled to find capable leadership. Now, finally, it is again an American car that the most discriminating enthusiast can enjoy both driving and wearing, especially in V-series trim. Two four-doors are in production. The smaller CTS-V is in its second series and the full-size STS-V continues to power into upscale neighborhoods across the country.

The Murciélago will still get parked street side at The Palm, but the up-front luxury sedan row will include a factory-installed wire-mesh grille that wears the crest and wreath. Courageous origami edges underscore the Cadillac’s STS-V presence and set it apart. While the discreet “Supercharged” hint on the door might be overlooked by passersby, spotting the low aggressive splitter and carefully caged brake cooling ducts will be enough to stop the cognoscenti. A successful road racing program underscores the idea of a driver’s Cadillac.

Speaking at the 2002 Cadillac LaSalle Club Centennial Banquet, GM product chief Bob Lutz said, “At Cadillac we’re not going to get carried away with nostalgia. We’re going to celebrate the past, sure, but we’re going to keep one eye trained firmly on the future, because it’s going to get very exciting, very quickly.”

Five years later the new Cadillacs arrived – and have been accepted. The icing on the celebratory cake is the V-series cars. As the gated enclaves disgorge their early-morning string of German hardware, there are more hard-edged Cadillacs appearing in the flow. Executive-commuter supercars wearing Ms and Ss and AMGs are now joined by the Vs. Muscle car Cads are no

Supercharged Northstar V8 delivers the goods. (Photo: Cadillac)

temporary manifestation of a corporate dream, like the much-loved efforts at Le Mans. The latest iteration of Cadillac’s big rear wheel drive sedans is here and they are good.

The STS-V is dynamically satisfying and fast, but the full-size sport sedan is not happy as a canyon racer. Understeer is pretty dramatic when the car is pushed into a tight change of direction, but that was never its intended target. On a curvy, undulating country road it is better than most drivers. When a short overtaking window opens, the power and suspension geometry plant its independently-sprung tail, feeding confidence directly to the driver’s seat. It is hard not to smile.

Another fundamental change in the new Cadillac is a passenger compartment assembled and detailed like its German competitors. Handcrafted interiors swathed in leather, with carefully

Straightforward and luxurious, just the way it ought to be. (Photo: Cadillac)

aligned stitching on the edges of virtually every surface, illustrate a clear understanding of the new philosophy in Cadillac’s build team. The simplicity of the design is unforgiving of lapses in fit and finish. There was nothing out of place in the well-used car we drove. With an instrument cluster designed and focused in a small binnacle for an enthusiastic driver, the rest of the dash panel is elegantly simple, with nothing to distract from the job at hand. The central tower is a dark-stained wood surrounding a surprisingly simple black panel of electronic controls, including a slot for the in-dash 6-disc changer. While the Germans have all experimented with visually simple single controllers that are actually horrifically complex in function, Cadillac has remained loyal to intuitive buttons and knobs that are large enough for a gloved north-country hand. Even the touch screen buttons are neither confusing nor difficult to select. Our only complaint was the need to resort to the manual to discover how to dim the daytime screen.

The gearlever has a distinctly VW-Audi tactical quality and function. The right-side manual-mode shift gate underscores that connection. There

Strong V-series badged brakes come from Brembo. (Photo: Cadillac)

appears to be no attempt to prove that car designers are smarter than drivers. In fact, a first time Cadillac driver will find everything logically located and well marked. As a clear indicator of the design team’s depth of understanding, there is even a large, well located dead pedal – in a Cadillac. The STS-V really is a driver’s Cadillac. Apparently created by drivers.

Rectangular sections make up the front seat design, allowing for some modest bolstering for lateral support. In deference to the commuter, though, they are not so stiff as to become uncomfortable on a long commute or an extended family driving vacation. That too was carefully considered and accomplished.

Compromises made to integrate a comfortable commuter, for 95-percent of the car’s life and an entertaining sports sedan, for that occasional solo blast in the country, are nearly invisible. The Sachs co-engineered damping is brilliant. The high-speed damping (initial impact) effect

The V's steering was provided by ZF, known for its Servotronic steering systems on various Audis and BMWs. (Photo: Cadillac)

is almost negated. For longer duration bumps or rapid changes of direction the suspension geometry, spring rates, and 36 and 24 mm (front/rear) hollow anti-roll bars give both control and compliance without ever feeling harsh. The feel is more civilized than the competition on the daily commute, with little given away at the extreme edges of performance demands.

Brembo 4-piston calipers at all four corners with 13 and 13.3-inch vented rotors (front/rear) augment the suspension systems for control. ZF delivers the steering gear that includes its own cooling unit to keep up with possible demands. No spare is included in the STS-V because there are Pirelli Extended Mobility run-flat tires measuring 255/40R 18 in front and 275/40R 19s in the rear. The Euro-centric character of the STS-V has helped establish the spacious American sedan among its well-established competitors on the continent.

The Northstar V series got smaller, from 4.6 liters to 4.4 by reducing the bore from 93 mm to 91. This accomplished a reduction in internal stresses, as the new roots blower, with integral intercoolers, forces ambient air into

The engine does its job without bombarding your ears. (Photo: Cadillac)

469 aggravated horsepower. The V shop continues to celebrate the art of engine building as each all-aluminum 4-cam, 4-valve unit is completed and signed by one very proud individual. It is sad that at a time when powerplants have become beautifully complex alloy structures (signed and numbered!), and intake systems near sculptural art, the stylists have chosen to cover everything from edge to edge with meaningless plastic logo-locators.

The force-fed engine has a heavy, heavily muffled, growl and lots of punch when asked, but it is not excessively quick on light throttle. It gives a very civilized performance until asked to be wild, at which point it becomes an entertainer. Variable valve timing and electronic engine management give this two-ton luxury car far more responsive power than the lightweight monsters of the muscle era. Accomplishing sixty miles per hour from a standstill in the five second range is no mean feat in a super car, and to do it while listening to a Bose Studio Surround sound system – and hearing it – is no less impressive.

The V-series branding may still be recent compared to the Ms and the AMGs of the world, but if successive cars are as good as the STS, there's no stopping Cadillac. (Photo: Cadillac)

Cadillac’s visual language has aged well. From the almost shocking origami form of the concept Evoq coupe and even with production-car refinements, the details remain distinctly and immediately Cadillac. In a valet lot of carefully aligned super sedans the STS-V has an individual pride of presence. Its form is clearly Cadillac and with that comes a newly earned respect, even curiosity from the other side. “There it is,” they say to themselves. “Do you think it is as good as the press tells us? What would the guys at the club think?” Well, the ones who read will know. The ones who don’t will have heard.

It has only been five years since the incomparable Mr. Lutz announced GM’s massive investment in its future. Cadillac was the place to start and that is being accomplished. “Perceptions about General Motors are changing, especially among the media,” Lutz recently told TheCarConnection, adding that, “Positive coverage will help GM improve its image among potential buyers. You can't do that with advertising anymore, even with all the money in the world.” There's an internal payoff, as well, he stressed. With the GM team “energized,” he suggested, “that drives performance.” There are so many ideas exploding from the team that the decision on new directions has been tough. Lutz said he had no intention of retiring until his goal of a renewed General Motors product line is accomplished. A very personal car collection, a dozen motorcycles, and an L-39 jet all await that time, but for now there is more work to do and the team is on fire. Leadership is its own reward.

Specifications (Cadillac STS-V):

• Price Range (MSRP): $102,955 - $104,395
• Body Type: 4-door sedan
• Layout: front engine, RWD
• Engine: 469-hp, 439 lb-ft of torque, 4.4L, 32-valve DOHC V8 supercharged
• Transmission: 6-spd auto w/manual mode
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD, BA
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 5,018 / 1,844 / 1,477 / 2,956 mm (197.6 / 72.6 / 58.2 / 116.4 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,948 kg (4,294 lbs)
• Tires (front/rear): 255/45R18 / 275/40R19
• Cargo Capacity (trunk): 391 L (13.8 cu-ft)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 16.4 / 10.3 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 48/80,000 comprehensive, 60/160,000 powertrain
• Competitors: Audi S8, Jaguar XJR, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
• Web Site: www.cadillac.ca

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(K05) Block Heater

(R6P) Premium Paint

(1SB) Luxury Package

(P40) 18" Polished Aluminum Sport Wheels

(PDP) V6 Luxury Collection

(PCZ) Performance and Handling Package

(MX7) All-Wheel Drive Transmission V6

(W21) Platinum Package

(1SC) Luxury Performance Package

(PDQ) V6 Premium Collection

(CF5) Sunroof: Power Sliding Glass

(GAR.) Black Ice Metallic