Cadillac Refreshes STS for European Debut

All-Wheel Drive and New Gearbox for V8 Model

Though General Motors has strong presence in Europe with its Opel, Vauxhall and Saab brands, it has slowly begun to re-introduce its mainstay North American nameplates as well. Chevrolet was officially launched a couple of years ago as the replacement to Daewoo, offering GMDAT cars under the golden bowtie nameplate, and since then Chevrolet has grown with a number new in-house developed models including the Captiva and the forthcoming Evanda midsize sedan. General Motors European division also has long had Corvette (not sold as a Chevy, mind you), and now the prestige brand, Cadillac.

On that note GM has been slowly shaping the way Europeans perceive Cadillac, using eye-catching, cutting edge styling and European-inspired driving dynamics to eradicate images of previous Cadillacs - the boaty, floaty kind. Cadillacs mainstay in Europe is the CTS, which competes against the likes of the 5-Series and E-Class, although at a more attractive price. Caddy also offers the SRX sports crossover, which provides a bold alternative to the usual midsize luxury SUV. This was then followed up by the 3-Series and C-Class sized BLS sedan, an exclusive to Europe, which is essentially a re-skinned and updated Saab 9-3, built in Sweden.

Though Cadillac wont export the XLR, the DTS, or the Escalade, it has been plotting to take on Europes full-size executive segment with the STS, a car that it has upgraded and freshened in preparation for its European launch. This past week, Cadillac unveiled the revised STS in Paris, with sales to commence this November.

As with the North American model, the STS will be offered with both a V6 and a Northstar V8 engine. The former is a 3.6-liter motor with variable valve timing that makes 257-horsepower, while the latter is a 325-horsepower 4.2-liter V8. For Cadillac, the STS marked the first instance that the brand offered a vehicle with AWD in the V6-powered STS4, however, new for 2007 the crested wreath brand will be offering its all-wheel drive system with the V8, enabling it to better compete with the V8-powered Mercedes-Benz and Audi executive sedans. The V8 engine also gains a new six-speed automatic gearbox with Driver Shift Control manual mode.

Although Cadillac knows that the STS bias must be in providing occupant comfort, it cant ignore the fact that drivers also want their vehicle to be engaging. The STS features similar components as other vehicles in its class, including a ZF Servotronic steering system, four-channel StabiliTrak stability control system, and one thats a bit more exclusive, a two-mode Magnetic Ride system, which has been lauded for making the car comfortable and smooth while reducing body roll, pitch and dive.

Being under extreme scrutiny from high-end competition and more discerning buyers, Cadillac has done its best to equip the STS with the latest in luxury and technology features. This means that the STS can be had with an intelligent key system with push-button start, adaptive cruise control, a four-color head-up display (HUD), plus heated, ventilated and massaging leather seats. High-quality materials are featured extensively throughout the cabin, including the use of Monaco woven fabric for the pillars, and real wood for the dash trim.

Whats in it for us? All of Cadillacs efforts trying to impress the picky Europeans have resulted in a much improved car for the domestic market. Expect the updated STS to arrive by the end of the year.