2008 Cadillac STS and STS-V Press Release From Cadillac
Press Release: Enhanced 2008 Cadillac STS Delivers Bolder Signature Styling and Advanced Performance and Crash-Avoidance Technologies
For Release: August 1, 2007
The Cadillac STS makes its 2008 model year debut with an all-new, standard 302-horsepower 3.6L V-6 engine with direct injection technology that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions. In addition, Cadillac's luxury performance sedan also features enhanced signature styling cues and adds leading-edge performance and safety-enhancing technologies.
"For the past two decades, the Cadillac STS has been a showcase of luxury, performance and technology," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The enhanced 2008 model extends that leadership with bolder design, more standard power, better fuel efficiency and the kinds of technologies one expects from a Cadillac."
For 2008, the Cadillac STS is available in V-6 and V-8 rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models. For the ultimate marriage of luxury and performance, the STS-V is loaded with performance features including a supercharged, 469-horsepower Northstar V-8 DOHC engine. In addition, Cadillac's signature Platinum designation comes to STS for '08, injecting an additional level of distinctive luxury nuances such as a Glacier Gold exterior finish; bright chrome inserts on the exterior door handles and exclusive Platinum badging.
New direct injection V-6 debuts
The 2008 STS is the first GM vehicle equipped with a new 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine. Direct Injection, an advanced system for more precise and productive fuel delivery, enables the rare achievement of simultaneous gains in power, fuel efficiency and emissions performance.
The new standard engine for STS delivers a SAE-certified 302 horsepower (225 kW) at 6,300 rpm,* 47 more horsepower (35 kW) than the 3.6-liter V-6 used in the 2007 model year. Torque is also increased to 272 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) at 5,200 rpm,* an upgrade of 20 lb.-ft. (27 Nm). At the same time, the engine is expected to deliver improved fuel efficiency, and direct injection's more efficient operation enables a 25-percent reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.
The 3.6L V-6 engine is GM's third engine variant offered with direct injection technology.
With direct injection technology, fuel is sprayed directly into the engine cylinder where it is mixed with air. As the fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, the air and fuel mixture is cooled. This enables the use of a higher compression ratio in the combustion chamber, 11.3:1, which improves engine performance and efficiency.
Direct injection requires higher fuel pressure than conventional fuel-injected engines, and the engine-driven high-pressure fuel pump is used to supply up to 1,740 psi (120 bar) of pressure. The system regulates lower fuel pressure at idle -- approximately 508 psi (35 bar) and higher pressure at wide-open throttle. The exhaust cam-driven high-pressure pump works in conjunction with a conventional fuel tank-mounted supply pump.
The 3.6-liter V-6 also features the U.S. automotive industry's first isolated fuel-injector system. This helps reduce the overall engine noise, providing customers with a pleasant driving experience.
Four-cam phasing
In addition to direct injection, variable valve timing also helps reduce exhaust emissions and improve performance and fuel economy by optimizing the phasing of the intake and exhaust valves relative to the crankshaft position at all operating conditions. The result is linear delivery of torque, with near-peak levels over a broad rpm range, and high specific output (maximum horsepower per liter of displacement) without sacrificing overall engine response and driveability.
Cam phasing pays big dividends in reducing exhaust emissions by optimizing exhaust valve overlap and eliminating the need for a separate exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system.
By closing the exhaust valves late at appropriate times, the cam phasers allow the engine to draw the desired amount of exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber, reducing unburned hydrocarbon emissions. The return of exhaust gases also decreases peak temperatures, which contributes to the reduction of oxides of nitrogen (NO x) emissions. In tandem with the dramatic 25-percent reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions enabled by direct injection, the 3.6-liter VVT DI V-6 surpasses all emissions mandates, and does so without complex, weight-increasing emissions control systems such as EGR and air injection reaction (AIR).
3.6-liter VVT DI features
The 3.6-liter VVT DI is based on GM Powertrain's sophisticated 60-degree dual overhead cam (DOHC) V-6 engine. It is the latest member of a growing family of GM Powertrain V-6 engines developed for applications around the world, drawing on the best practices and creative expertise of GM's technical centers in Australia , Germany , North America and Sweden .
Features found on the 3.6-liter VVT DI include:
- Aluminum engine block and cylinder heads
- Dual overhead cams with four valves per cylinder and silent chain primary drive
- High-pressure, engine-driven fuel pump
- Advanced multi-outlet fuel injectors developed to withstand high pressure and heat
- Isolated fuel injector system
- Stainless steel, variable pressure fuel rail
- Four-cam phasing (variable valve timing)
- 11.3:1 compression ratio
- Cast-aluminum pistons with floating wrist pins and oil squirters
- Polymer coated piston skirts
- Forged steel crankshaft
- Sinter-forged connecting rods
- Structural cast-aluminum oil pan with steel baffles
- Electronic throttle control with integrated cruise control
- Coil-on-plug ignition
- Advanced direct injection capable engine control module (ECM)
- Optimized exhaust manifolds with close-coupled catalytic converters
- Fully isolated composite camshaft covers
- Outstanding noise, vibration and harshness control
- Maximum durability with minimal maintenance
- Common manufacturing practices for efficiency and exceptional quality
In addition to the new direct injected V-6, STS is available with the powerful 4.6L Northstar V-8, which delivers 320 horsepower (239 kW) and 315 lb.-ft. (427 Nm) of torque. It, too, features variable valve timing (VVT) for precise fuel management and exceptional power at all rpm levels.
Coupled to the new 3.6L V-6 engine and the 4.6L Northstar V-8 is GM Hydra-Matic's 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission, introduced during the 2007 model year on Northstar V-8 models. It has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a steep first-gear that helps deliver strong launch acceleration.
New, driver-focused technologies
Continuing Cadillac's commitment to the advancement of safety and performance attributes, the 2008 STS includes new systems and advanced technologies to enhance driver awareness and vehicle control.
For the first time, Cadillac's acclaimed StabiliTrak electronic stability control system now includes the optional addition of active steering technology. In addition to controlling brakes and reducing engine power, the latest iteration of StabiliTrak combines active front steering to turn the front wheels into the skid when rear wheels lose traction. The system includes a new steering motor assembly combined with computer-driven electronic controls that measure wheel slippage at all four wheels independently during acceleration, braking and adverse road conditions.
Active steering is available exclusively on all-wheel-drive 4.6L Northstar V-8 models.
GM's Lane Departure Warning System also debuts as an option on the 2008 STS. Controlled by a camera located in the rearview mirror that reads the lines in the road, the system will alert drivers when they have strayed into another lane. Drivers receive both an audible and visual alert cue.
When the Lane Departure Warning System is engaged, a driver traveling at 35 mph or more who crosses a detected lane marking without signaling is alerted in two ways: The system flashes an amber indicator light located in the fuel gauge of the instrument panel, and an alerting chime of three beeps is played. The system does not steer the vehicle; it is designed only to alert drivers so they can take appropriate action to move the vehicle back into the lane.
Another new optional feature, GM's Side Blind Zone Alert System, extends and enhances driver awareness and vision. Alternating radar beams in Side Blind Zone Alert System sweep adjacent lanes of traffic, covering a zone of about one lane over from both sides of the vehicle, or 11 feet (3.5 m). The zone starts at each side mirror and goes back about 16 feet (5 m).
When the system is engaged, a driver will know that following vehicles in the adjacent lanes are entering their side blind zone when an amber symbol, located in the outside rearview mirror, is illuminated.
The system is not designed to detect vehicles outside of the side blind zone that may be rapidly approaching, or detect pedestrians, bicyclists or animals. It's designed to ignore infrastructure such as fire hydrants or parked cars. In addition, the system displays do not come on while the vehicle is approaching or passing other vehicles.
The Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert systems can be manually turned off by the driver.
A new performance handling package will be available for V-8-equipped rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models and V-6-equipped rear-drive models. The package includes 18-inch x 8.5-inch aluminum alloy, chrome-plated wheels fitted with new P255/45R18 Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only tires.
Four-piston caliper Brembo brakes, with front rotors measuring 355 mm x 32 mm and 365 mm x 28 mm rear rotors, provide enhanced stopping ability. All four rotors are vented.
A bolder new look, inside and out
The new STS injects more of the bold design flair that has become a Cadillac signature. Up front, the dual-textured, multi-faceted grille -- first seen on the landmark Cadillac Sixteen concept car and incorporated on both the Escalade and soon-to-be-launched CTS -- has been adapted to the STS.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and the Intellibeam automatic high-beam system, once found only on the V-8, are available for the first time on V-6 models. The lower front fascia features a new intake and grille pattern evoking Cadillac's V-Series high-performance models.
Similarly, side air extractors, again inspired by the Sixteen and Escalade, are now
incorporated into the front fenders of STS. New chrome-plated door handles and lower rocker moldings are added for more presence and refinement. At the rear, the new fascia is now body color and is highlighted with polished aluminum three-inch exhaust tips. New, polished 18-inch x 8-inch aluminum 14-spoke wheels are available.
Inside, STS's luxurious interior includes a new steering wheel with available genuine Sapele Pommele wood trim. Sapele is an exotic wood more commonly used in fine furniture and musical instruments. A heated steering wheel also is available. The center stack of the instrument panel is revised with the addition of wood trim that has new metallic surroundings.
Additional available features for the V-6-equipped STS include a configurable head-up display. The head-up display projects key driving information (such as speedometer ratings) onto the windshield, enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road.
Other technological appointments are plentiful, purposeful and driver oriented, including an Easy Key system; Adaptive Remote Start system (not available in Europe or Russia ); Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); heated and ventilated seats and heated steering wheel.
An available uplevel infotainment system includes one of the industry's first OEM-installed surround-sound audio systems. The cabin is immersed with 15 Bose speakers. The 5.1 Bose system also has an integrated six-disc CD/DVD changer and plays formats including DVD-A, CD, and MP3. It includes an eight-inch VGA quality touch screen and advanced navigation. In addition, the system has Bluetooth phone capability, advanced voice recognition and OnStar.
STS models feature OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar. Turn-by-Turn allows consumers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends complete step-by-step directions to customers' vehicles through their OnStar system. These audio directions automatically play through the vehicle's stereo as needed, triggered by the OnStar system's GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
STS Platinum
The STS Platinum sedan extends the luxurious look and feel of the STS with elements such as 18-inch chrome-finish wheels; a brighter chrome-finish grille; a Glacier Gold exterior finish; bright chrome inserts on the exterior door handles and exclusive Platinum badging.
Inside, STS Platinum features a hand-cut, sewn and wrapped instrument panel, door trim and center console areas. The seats are fully leather, a semi-aniline variety called Tuscany . Luxury touches include chrome accents on the instrument panel and doors, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel, olive ash burl wood accents with a saddle-stained shade, premium floor mats and a Platinum badge of the door sill. STS Platinum comes in either a Cocoa over Cashmere or an Ebony interior color scheme.
STS-V
The supercharged 2007 Cadillac STS-V is GM's most intense expression of Cadillac power and performance. It carries all the sophistication of its STS sibling, yet elevates the performance and luxury attributes of the brand's V-Series lineup to their fullest extent. The STS-V represents an historic combination of performance technology and hand-crafted elegance.
The 469-horsepower (350 kW)* STS-V is the most powerful Cadillac ever, and is capable of exceptional performance for an automobile of its size. Each 4.4L Supercharged Northstar V-8 engine is hand assembled to exacting standards at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich., and is built from start to finish by a single expert craftsman. Production is limited to ensure exclusivity in the marketplace.
The engine is paired with the GM Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with driver shift control. This powerful combination enables 0-to-60 (mph) acceleration in less than five seconds. The STS-V includes numerous chassis enhancements, including massive Brembo brakes with air cooling, larger wheels and tires for better grip and larger front and rear stabilizer bars for better performance.
The interior features extensive use of leather wrapped surfaces, created by craftsmen who cut, wrap and sew leather around components individually. Kinetic aluminum accents adorn the steering wheel and instrument panel. STS-V features deep-tinted Olive Ash Burl wood accenting the center stack and door trim.
All STS models are built at GM's state-of-the-art Lansing Grand River assembly center in Lansing , Mich.
*SAE certified.
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Source: GM Media