Welcome to Bob's
Cadillac STS-V Homepage

Images of my STS-V (click on images for full-size view):
   
 


The Story:
Having been to the Chicago Auto Show every year with my son, we stood open-mouthed like everyone else at the new STS-V when it first appeared.  Since I had an STS already at the time, my son naturally said, "Dad - you HAVE to get one of those!"  To which I naturally replied, "Son, I would love to have one of those.  We'll have to wait and see."  which meant "I will have to convince your mother."  In the fall of 2005, having been to the dealer at least once a month since the auto show to ask when the V's were coming out, the dealer finally gave me a firm production date.  He also added that they would only be getting 3 initially.  But being the top seller of XLRs in the midwest, they would be getting the FIRST allotment off of the assembly line.  I was about to put my name on the list (with my earnest money to guarantee my spot), when the dealer called to thank me for signing up.  Turns out that my wonderful wife had been to the dealer that morning and put the money down for me - an early Christmas present she said.  Unfortunately, that didn't mean I would actually be GETTING it for Christmas, just that I had first right of refusal when they finally came in.  In actuality, I was third in line (third line of refusal?).  On December 22nd, the dealer called.  The cars were being delivered in the morning, and the gentleman with FIRST right of refusal had left for Europe until the middle of January.  The gentleman with SECOND right of refusal was the dealership owner, and he wanted one with the red interior.  So that bumped me all the way up to the top of the list.  The car that arrived was exactly what I had hoped for:  Black with the Ebony interior (the red just didn't do it for me).  It turns out that this was the second STS-V off the line (the first going to some executive at GM).  So on December 23rd, 2005, my son's (and my) dream came true.  We drove off the lot with one helluva ride!  Aside from one small glitch (leak in the rear transaxle), the performance has been flawless.  I haven't experienced any of the problems many have had with the bluetooth, navigation, voice commands, or any other issues.  And the ride has been fantastic.

At this year's auto show, I got lucky again.  In the vendor area, the Illinois DMV had a booth with the "pick-a-plate" promotion going.  Just type in the vanity plate you wanted, and it would automatically search the database and let you know immediately if the plate was available.  With a little prodding from my son, I typed in "STS V 1", thinking that someone else had surely grabbed that plate.  To our suprise the screen splashed: Congratulations! That plate is available.  Well, not any more (as you can see by the photo above).  It just goes to show you that it never hurts to ask!

I recently had to replace the worn out Pirelli Euforia tires - down to < 1/16th of an inch on the rears after only 18,000 miles.   Got a second set of chromed rims from OEM Rims, Inc. (out of CA) and put the new Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires on.  Fabulous grip, reduced road noise, and the hold like glue in the rain - something the Pirelli's couldn't do even in a light drizzle.  Picture above is the new Goodyears on the chromes.  Mounted a set of Advan S.4's on the original rims for the winter.


Upgrades/Mods:
Chromed rims with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3  max summer performance tires - replaced original Pirelle Euforia (run-flats) which were gone after only 18,000 miles.
Second set of rims (stock OEM rims) and winter tires - Yokohama ADVAN S.4 (complete with TPMS)
Hawk HPS brake pads (to eliminate the squeal and dust !)
New floor mats with the "V" logo
"STS V 1" License plate and frame
Direct-feed IPOD cable (not the one that plugs into the headphone jack, the one that plugs into the base - MUCH better sound, BASS and volume control)

D3 air intake system to boost the HP and MPG (of course, keeping my foot off the gas will also boost the MPG !) and Stage 1 ECM upgrade.


Links:
Cadillac STS-V discussion forum
THE STS and STS-V FAQ
Technology information on the 6L80 Transmission (PDF)
D3 Research and Design Forum for STS and STS-V owners


Specs:  Taken directly from the Cadillac Press Announcement:

At the heart of the STS-V is a new, 4.4-liter version of the Northstar engine outfitted with a positive displacement intercooled supercharger. The dual overhead cam (DOHC) V-8 engine delivers the highest horsepower rating of any production Cadillac engine to date.  Called the Northstar V-8 SC (supercharged), the engine produces 440 horsepower (328 kW) at 6400 rpm and 430 lb.-ft. (583 Nm) of torque at 3600 rpm (power and torque figures estimated) – and the engine’s power is underscored by its ability to deliver 90 percent of its peak torque between 2200 and 6000 rpm. Vehicle redline is 6700 rpm.  The Northstar V-8 SC generates 120 horsepower (90kW) and 115 lb.-ft. (156 Nm) of torque more than its naturally aspirated counterpart, while its specific output of 100-horsepower-per-liter makes it one of the world’s highest specific output production V-8 engines. However, the Northstar V-8 SC used in the STS-V is more than just power and torque. The DOHC engine includes variable valve timing that enables outstanding top-end performance while maintaining the expected refinement and quality associated with a luxury marque.  The aggressive torque curve enabled by the choice of a supercharged engine gives the STS-V acceleration capable of placing it firmly in the under-5-second-club for 0-to-60 time. The refined shift feel is enabled by careful electronic calibration of both the engine and transmission. During shifts, power is instantaneously lowered, then ramped back up carefully to make gear changes virtually unnoticeable.

 The Northstar V-8 SC is mated to the all-new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission – the first use of GM’s new six-speed automatic. The 6L80 – the only transmission offered on the STS-V – is one of the most technologically advanced automatic transmissions in the industry, using clutch-to-clutch operation and an advanced integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts.  The 6L80 also incorporates a host of advanced driving enhancement features, including advanced Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS) and Driver Shift Control (DSC). PAS lets the electronic transmission controller override the automatic gear selection during closed throttle high lateral acceleration maneuvers, rapidly downshifting with the release of the torque converter clutch for smooth powering up when the throttle is reopened. Driver Shift Control allows the driver to sequentially shift gears manually via the gearshift lever.

 The STS-V has been tuned for performance on virtually every road condition and environment including GM’s all-new Milford Road Course facility and the Nordschleiffe (North Course) at Nürburgring.  As a result of this extensive development, the vehicle has track-capable acceleration, braking and cornering abilities. This is due, in part, to increased tire sizes (P255/45R18 front, P275/40R19 rear); increased brake rotor diameters, larger pad areas, and larger calipers; increased stiffness stabilizer bars and suspension springs; a faster steering ratio; and chassis tuning aimed at delivering high performance without punishing the driver.

 Exterior elements on the STS-V enable higher-performance capabilities; yet express the sophisticated elegance associated with the STS name. Exterior refinements include:

• A larger, polished stainless steel wire mesh front grille that enables the required additional airflow for engine heat dissipation.
• A new, lower front fascia that incorporates a larger lower grille (also wire mesh) for increased cooling capability; brake ducts for front caliper and rotor cooling; and splitter to counteract lift created by larger grille openings.
• A new lower rear fascia that facilitates smooth airflow under the vehicle for improved cooling; Lower rockers that visually bridge the lowered front and rear fascias.
• A specific, fluidly sculpted hood designed to provide space for the engine’s supercharger; Ten-spoke, flangeless, painted aluminum alloy wheels that assist in brake cooling. Front wheels are 18 x 8.5 inches; rear wheels are 19 x 9.5 inches.
• A higher, more rearward-positioned rear spoiler that enables balanced aerodynamic downforce with the front splitter.
• V- series badging prominently displayed on the vehicle’s rear decklid and front doors along with “Supercharged” block lettering on the doors.

 The interior of the STS-V reflects craftsmanship with the addition of more leather-wrapped surfaces to promote a high-quality, tactile feel and distinctive, crafted appearance. Interior refinements include:

• Hand-wrapped leather surfaces throughout.
• Olive Ash Burl wood appointments.
• Kinetic-finished aluminum accents.
• Sueded fabric seat inserts.
• V -series badging in the instrument cluster, on the instrument panel, and on door sill plates.
• The 2006 STS-V will offer OnStar’s Gen 6.1 system, with voice recognition, stolen vehicle location assistance, remote door unlock, roadside assistance, emergency services and automatic crash notification.