2005 Cadillac STS Photos Revealed

GM Will Unveil All Angles of the New STS at the New York Auto Show in April

The Seville nameplate, that has been part of our luxury auto scene since 1956, is being phased out for 2005. That will be bad news for automotive historians and American iron enthusiasts alike, but the new car that replaces it should be a boost for Cadillac nonetheless.

The 2005 STS, pulling its name from the sportiest variant of previous Seville models, is a new-age Cadillac through and through. One glance at its "art and science" bodywork speaks volumes about the new attitude driving GMs top brand to its greatest success in decades.

Its bold, no doubt, but the new models edges are softened compared to the edgy CTS that slots in just below the STS in Cadillacs lineup. The GM division states the cars designer, Kip Wasenko, "began with the angular and edgy design inspiration then translated it into a more segment-appropriate language."

The headlights maintain the new vertical layout, mind you, and the grille is still blacked out and racy. As for its rear end styling, only GM insiders truly know as it will remain under wraps until its official debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

Inside, the STS is also much improved. Genuine materials such as eucalyptus wood, Nuance leather and real aluminum accents grace interior surfaces, resulting in a cabin that GM states will stand "apart from its competitors in both luxury and style."

Cadillacs Northstar V8 has been a standout powerplant since it debuted in the Seville STS (and Eldorado) in 1993. For 2005 the Northstar system will once again include a 4.6-L 32-valve, DOHC V8. GM is being tightlipped about any engine upgrades, but be sure it wont launch an all-new model without some tweaking under the hood. The base engine will be a 3.6-L V6 with variable valve timing (VVT).

One thing the engineers wont have to worry about is torque steer. As expected the long-running front-wheel drive architecture is out the door for a new rear-wheel drive setup. Rear-wheel drive is en vogue for luxury cars now, due to improved at-the-limit handling and virtually unlimited engine output potential.

This is good news for performance fans, but no doubt some front-wheel drive devotees who chose the outgoing Seville for its traction in inclement weather will feel disenfranchised. Not to worry folks. The STS will also offer an all-wheel drivetrain. The luxury divisions sensational Magnetic Ride Control suspension system will also be included.

The STS will be produced in Lansing, Michigan at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, where the CTS and SRX sport utility/wagon crossover are currently produced. Expect it to arrive in Cadillac showrooms this fall and be priced slightly higher than the current Seville.