2005 Cadillac STS

The 2005 Cadillac STS is the luxury nameplate's all-new luxury performance sedan. (concept carz) It has been designed, engineered and executed to deliver precision craftsmanship, outstanding performance, and sophisticated luxury in a distinctly American package.

Based on General Motors' new rear-wheel-drive Sigma architecture, which also is the foundation for Cadillac's entry-luxury CTS sedan, CTS V-series high-performance sedan, and SRX luxury performance utility – the STS is designed to compete head-on with world-renowned prestige sedans in markets around the globe.

'Our long-term goal for Cadillac is to become the Standard of the World once again,' said Mark LaNeve, general manager for Cadillac. 'In order to succeed globally, we have to build vehicles that have outstanding performance, exceptional quality and reliability, and meet the demands of the most discerning car buyers. 'The STS represents the latest step in that direction.'

From its Cadillac-signature bold exterior styling to its outstanding power and road capabilities, the STS is the product of unwavering attention to detail. More than 1,000 criteria points have been strictly adhered to throughout development of the vehicle. The result is outstanding fit and finish, overall harmony, refined performance and purposeful innovation.

'We feel very comfortable calling this a finely crafted car, but we also realize that's the price of entry into this category,' said Jim Taylor, GM vehicle line executive, prestige vehicles. 'The STS has simply been engineered to more than hold its own when matched against some of the best prestige luxury sedans in the world.'

While its overall shape brings a faster profile and more rake than its CTS sibling, it's done so in the context of elegance and grace. Overall, the STS is 196-inches long, 72.6 inches wide and 57.6-inches high, making it the largest sedan offering in the Sigma-based family.

The exterior fit and finish on the STS is taking Cadillac to the next level of refinement and exemplifies the attention to detail seen throughout the vehicle. Body and exterior dimensions are precisely executed. Radii on major body components, such as the hood and decklid, are tight and contribute to its crisp exterior appearance. Doors-into-roof construction and a superplastic-formed aluminum decklid ensure a clean and refined exterior.

All interior gaps also achieve exceptionally close tolerances, enabling a tight, well-crafted appearance throughout. Eucalyptus wood and/or in-mold processed, dent and mar resistant aluminum trim is found on the steering wheel, center console, instrument panel, and door armrests.

Premium materials and fabrics are used throughout the interior. Dual-firmness Tuscany all-leather seats, available as heated and ventilated, are specially tanned for a softer feel. Spray-skinned urethane/natural grained surfaces on the door and instrument panel ensure an inviting, tactile touch, as do the headliner and interior pillars, which are soft backed and covered with a Monaco woven fabric.

In terms of performance, the STS will be available with a 255-horsepower 3.6L
V-6 in a rear-drive configuration, or the 320-horsepower Northstar 4.6L V-8 in both rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations. Both engines incorporate variable valve timing (VVT) and are mated to widely acclaimed 5-speed automatic transmissions with Driver Shift Control.



Road impacts and other harsh inputs are effectively absorbed and dissipated through ride-tuned tires, dampers, suspension components and bushings, as well as improved structure in body to chassis interfaces and additional refinements in the engine mounts.

Integrated chassis control technologies include a two-mode Magnetic Ride Control offering performance or touring selections, four-channel StabiliTrak, and an available high-precision ZF steering gear.

Technological appointments on the STS are plentiful, purposeful, and driver oriented. Such applications include an Easy Key system; Smart Remote Start system (not available in Europe or Russia); Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Intellibeam; re-configurable, four-color Head-Úp Display (HÚD); heated and ventilated seats; and heated steering wheel.

Of particular note is an available up-level infotainment system, which includes one of the industry's first OEM-installed surround sound audio systems. The cabin is immersed with 15 speakers from Bose Corporation. The 5.1 Bose system also has an integrated six-disc CD/DVD changer and is capable of playing a broad array of formats including DVD-A, CD, and MP3. It includes an eight-inch VGA quality touch screen and advanced navigation. (posted on conceptcarz.com) In addition, the system has Bluetooth capability, advanced voice recognition, and OnStar.

Like its Sigma-based siblings, the all-new STS will be built at GM's state-of-the-art Lansing Grand River assembly center in Lansing, Mich., beginning in the summer of 2004.

Source - General Motors

CADILLAC DEBUTS ALL-NEW STS LUXURY PERFORMANCE SEDAN

Cadillac's product renaissance continues with the all-new 2005 STS, which combines the best of the brand into a luxury performance sedan that has been designed, engineered and executed to deliver precision craftsmanship, exceptional performance and sophisticated luxury in a distinctly North American package.

Based on GM's rear-wheel-drive Sigma architecture, which also is the foundation for the Cadillac CTS, CTS-V and SRX, the STS is designed to compete squarely with world-renowned prestige sedans in global markets.

From its Cadillac-signature styling to its performance capabilities, STS is the product of unwavering attention to detail and the result is exceptional fit and finish, overall harmony, refined performance and purposeful innovation.

Crisp, elegant design
At first glance, there's no mistaking the STS as anything but a contemporary Cadillac, with its vertically stacked headlamps and light-emitting diode (LED) taillamps, signature LED CHMSL, wire-mesh airfoil grille, horizontal spline lines, and dihedral-shaped hood.

Doors-into-roof construction enables more tumblehome, and the sides are sculpted inward, delivering a look of upscale performance with a lower roof line. In addition, a wider tapering sail panel, lower, sculptured hood, smooth wheel openings and a tight wheel-to-body relationship communicates agility, sophistication and substance.

Seven-spoke 17-inch or available nine-spoke 18-inch wheels lead to large, high-performance calipers and rotors. Overall length is 196.3 inches (498.6 cm). A wheelbase of 116.4 inches (295.6 cm)and front/rear track of 61.8/62.3 inches (156.9 / 158.2 cm), combined with a flush wheel-to-body relationship, ensures well-grounded appeal and presence.

Rocker treatments are specific to STS, bringing a sculpted shape to the vehicle's lower line for presence and refinement. A single-piece fascia design, which eliminates seams for a clean, uninterrupted appearance, enables excellent fit and finish.

While its overall shape brings a faster profile and more rake than its CTS sibling, its form is still elegant and graceful. The STS is the largest sedan offering in the Sigma-based family.

The exterior takes Cadillac to the next level of refinement and illustrates the attention to detail apparent throughout the vehicle. The STS has a crisp exterior appearance thanks to precisely executed body and exterior dimensions and tight radii on major body components, such as the hood and decklid. Doors-into-roof construction and a superplastic-formed aluminum decklid ensure a clean, refined exterior.

Interior gaps achieve exceptionally close tolerances, enabling a tight, well-crafted appearance throughout. Eucalyptus wood and aluminum trim appears on the steering wheel, center console, instrument panel and door armrests.

The interior also features premium materials and fabrics. Available dual-firmness Tuscany all-leather seats are specially tanned for a softer feel. Also available is a heated and ventilated option on front seats. Natural grained surfaces on the door and instrument panel ensure an inviting, tactile touch, as do the headliner and interior pillars, which are soft backed and covered with a Monaco woven fabric.

STS powertrain

The 4.6L Northstar is expected to deliver 0-to-60 mph performance at or less than 6 seconds. With the V-6 or AWD V-8, the STS is targeted to achieve 0-to-60 mph performance in under 7 seconds.

Variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust valves offers flexibility, fuel economy and reduced emissions. The four-cam variable valve timing is a key element in the V-6's control strategy, which gives the engine a wide-ranging flexibility. For example, 90 percent of the 3.6L V-6's peak torque is available across a broad operating range: from 1600 rpm to 5800 rpm. In addition, an electronically controlled throttle (ETC) effectively coordinates the driver's intentions with the actions of the various control components.

Chassis refinements, safety systems

While the STS is true to Cadillac's performance-oriented roots, a number of chassis refinements ensure a smooth ride that keeps drivers fresh and comfortable without sacrificing the driving experience.

Road impacts and other harsh inputs are effectively absorbed and dissipated through ride-tuned tires, dampers, suspension components and bushings, as well as improved structure in body-to-chassis interfaces and additional refinements in the engine mounts.

Integrated chassis control technologies include two-mode Magnetic Ride Control with performance or touring selections, an available high-precision ZF steering gear and four-channel StabiliTrak.

StabiliTrak assists the vehicle in maintaining the driver's intended path by applying a brake force at any corner of the vehicle independent of the driver's use of the brake pedal.

StabiliTrak uses an accelerator pedal position sensor, a brake master cylinder pressure sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor as inputs to interpret the driver's desired path and whether to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle. StabiliTrak also uses these sensors plus a lateral accelerometer and yaw rate sensor to determine the vehicle's actual path.

If the difference between the driver's desired path and the vehicle's actual path becomes great enough, StabiliTrak takes appropriate action to assist the driver with maintaining the desired path. If the vehicle begins to 'snowplow,' or understeer, StabiliTrak applies the inside rear brake to help turn the vehicle. If the vehicle begins to fishtail, or oversteer, StabiliTrak applies the outside front brake to straighten the vehicle. StabiliTrak is integrated with the traction control and ABS systems.

Technology


Technological appointments on the STS are plentiful, purposeful and driver oriented. Applications include a Keyless Access system with a push button start, Adaptive Remote Start system (not available in Europe or Russia); Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); reconfigurable, four-color head-up display (HÚD); Automatic Advanced Crash Notification through OnStar; heated and ventilated seats; and heated steering wheel and Intellibeam, which automatically switches headlamps from high- to low-beam and back again when oncoming headlamps or forward lighting elements are sensed.

Keyless Access enables passive vehicle and trunk entry and push-button ignition via a personalized, keyless fob. With the key fob in a pocket or purse, a person can approach a locked vehicle, pull the door handle and open the door. The same concept applies when opening the trunk. As a result, the need to pull keys out – or even the fob – to activate the door and trunk functions has been eliminated. The system uses passive and active antennas to detect the vehicle fob and its proximity to the vehicle.

Keyless Access works in tandem with the vehicle security system, enabling the STS to be started with a momentary push of a button located on the instrument panel. To start the vehicle, the fob must be inside the vehicle and the brake pedal depressed.

The Adaptive Remote Start system, which operates from as far as 200 feet (60.9 m), also automatically adjusts a variety of personalization settings in the process.

When activated via the Adaptive Remote Start system, the STS – based on temperature inputs – begins to acclimate the occupant environment before the driver enters the vehicle. Once remote start is initiated, the vehicle:

Adjusts climate control to previously set cabin temperature
Begins seat heat or ventilation (based on feedback from outside temperature settings)
Activates front and rear window defroster if climate conditions require it
The electrical architecture on the STS makes all this possible, allowing various systems in the vehicle to work in concert.

The vehicle's technological backbone is a GM LAN Serial Data Electrical Architecture – a high- and low-speed data network that connects system modules and ensures that information is properly communicated and shared between them.

In all, the STS is equipped with up to 27 modules, located throughout the vehicle, depending upon options selected.

Each module sends and receives information sent via the GM LAN.

Of particular note is an available uplevel infotainment system. The cabin is immersed with 15 speakers from BoseCorporation. The Bose 5.1 Surround Sound system also has an integrated six-disc CD/DVD changer capable of playing DVD-A, CD and MP3. It includes an 8-inch (203 mm) VGA quality touch screen and advanced navigation. (posted on conceptcarz.com) In addition, the system has Bluetooth capability, advanced voice recognition and OnStar.

Like its Sigma-based siblings, the all-new STS will be built at GM's state-of-the-art Lansing Grand River assemblycenter in Lansing, Mich., beginning in the summer of 2004.

The STS arrives in Cadillac showrooms in late 2004 in the Ú.S. and Canada. Beginning in 2005, the STS will be available in Europe, Japan, Russia, the Middle East, South Korea, Taiwan and Israel.

Source - Cadillac

Vehicle Highlights

• All-new luxury performance sedan

• Distinctive and bold exterior design

• Úpscale interior with Tuscany leather seats, eucalyptus wood and aluminum trim

• Rear-wheel-drive Sigma architecture with AWD availability

• Two engines: 255-horsepower (190 kw) 3.6L V-6 VVT (variable valve timing) and 320-horsepower (238 kw)Northstar 4.6L V-8 VVT

• Magnetic Ride Control and StabiliTrak

• Keyless Access with push button start, Adaptive Remote Start, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Intellibeam, reconfigurable, four-color Head-Úp Display (HÚD)

• Bose personalized 5.1 Surround Sound system with 15 speakers, integrated six-disc CD/DVD changer with DVD-A, CD and MP3 capability

• Eight-inch VGA-quality touch screen, advanced navigation, OnStar, Bluetooth capability, advanced voice recognition

Source - Cadillac