GM’s luxury sleeper  by Thom Blackett

Give it just a quick glance, and you might think the 2006 Cadillac STS-V is just another domestic sedan, though the chrome mesh grille, lowered fascias, and domed hood hint at the power within. More than simply a luxury car, the STS-V offers impressive performance from its supercharged V8 and sport-tuned suspension and brakes.

Engineers put a lot of effort into making the 2006 Cadillac STS-V worthy of its V-series designation, though at the heart of it all is a superb supercharged engine. The 4.4-liter, 32-valve, dual overhead cam, Northstar V8 with variable valve timing cranks out 469 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 439 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,900 rpm, with peak twist available between 2,500 and 6,400 rpm. Based on the popular 4.6-liter V8 currently used throughout much of the Cadillac lineup, the 4.4-liter motor incorporates the use of new heads, crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods, a multi-layer steel head gasket, twin induction silencers designed to limit supercharger whine, and a Roots type supercharger offering 10-12 psi. Each engine is hand-built in Michigan, and ultimately connects to a six-speed, manually-interactive automatic transmission.

Engineers put a lot of effort into making the 2006 Cadillac STS-V worthy of its V-series designation, though at the heart of it all is a superb supercharged engine. The 4.4-liter, 32-valve, dual overhead cam, Northstar V8 with variable valve timing cranks out 469 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 439 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,900 rpm, with peak twist available between 2,500 and 6,400 rpm. Based on the popular 4.6-liter V8 currently used throughout much of the Cadillac lineup, the 4.4-liter motor incorporates the use of new heads, crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods, a multi-layer steel head gasket, twin induction silencers designed to limit supercharger whine, and a Roots type supercharger offering 10-12 psi. Each engine is hand-built in Michigan, and ultimately connects to a six-speed, manually-interactive automatic transmission.

Handling is enhanced with a sport-tuned independent short- and long-arm front suspension and an independent multi-link setup in the rear; standard front and rear stabilizer bars; traction control and StabiliTrak stability control systems; and a limited slip differential. Speed-sensitive steering, with a quicker response than offered in the regular STS, further aids overall control. Collectively, this package has led to a 15-percent increase in ride stiffness, a 35-percent increase in roll stiffness, and a 17-percent decrease in understeer. According to Cadillac, the 2006 STS-V pulls 0.87g on the skid pad, which, not so coincidentally, is the same figure reported for the 2006 BMW M5.

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