Author Archives: Bruce Nunnally

In Pursuit of a Lighter Cadillac CTS

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One of Cadillac’s plans for the next Cadillac CTS refresh is to make the CTS one of the lightest cars in its class.  One assumes they will do this through additional use of Aluminum, and high strength steel.  The advantage of high strength steel is that for the same properties a thinner, lighter piece can be used that has the same or better strength and durability.

There is a 2-3% improvement in fuel economy for every 100 kg (220 lbs).  So although the EPA cycle is complex, in general a 28 mpg CTS might break 30 mpg with the loss of around 500 lbs of weight from its 3,681 lb curb weight.  Obviously there is a limit to the fuel economy that can be gained in this manner, since Cadillacs one can safely say will always have some weight.  Cadillac’s goal of being the lightest in their vehicle class seems ideal.  This goal is one that will have to be revisited in the crowded markets Cadillac competes in.

Cadillac CTS Safety Cage

The Cadillac CTS currently uses Advanced High Strength Steels in strategic structural locations.  Advanced High Strength Steels (AHSS’s) are multiphase steels which contain martensite, bainite, and/or retained austenite in quantities sufficient to produce unique mechanical properties (transformation hardening).  AHSS’s exhibit an excellent combination of high strength and high formability resulting primarily from their high strain hardening capabilities. AHSS’s can be further classified by tensile strength; the ideal application for different tensile strength AHSS’s varies.

A recent study by Lotus Engineering confirms that a total vehicle, synergistic approach to mass reduction is feasible and could result in substantial mass savings with minimal piece cost impact.

I am very excited about the emphasis at Cadillac on weight management, as it will also make my favorite Cadillacs more nimble and athletic — when you lose weight you just FEEL better!

2008 Cadillac STS-V Test Drive

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I regularly monitor Ebay for  any Cadillac V-Series that show up.  The Cadillac V-Series are tuned high-performance luxury models from Cadillac, and are special, limited production models.  The CTS-V, the STS-V, and the XLR-V are the examples released to date.  These are fairly rare automobiles, so I stopped by this morning to meet this local Cadillac STS-V in person.

2008 Cadillac STS-V

I have been shopping for a 2008 Cadillac STS-V.  I would enjoy simply getting a new 2009/2010 Cadillac CTS-V, but they are still more expensive than I care to spend.  The STS-V when new cost around US$79K, but they are depreciating nicely and have almost / not quite come into my targeted price range.

2008 STS-V Back

This example is a nice off-lease STS-V with 22K miles.  It was purchased in Oklahoma, then went to auction and came along to Addison, Texas near Plano.   It appeared to be in good condition, good tires, good interior.

The STS-V has a 469 hp Supercharged 4.4L DOHC VVT direct injected V8 engine. It has Brembo performance brakes, and a tuned suspension using Sachs shocks/struts. It is definitely a runner.  The leather seats have suede inserts to give additional friction for keeping you in the seat.  The steering wheel forgoes the normal Cadillac wood trim for more grippy leather. There are wood trim highlights on the console and doors of course.

2008 STS-V Door wood trim highlight

The STS-V was one of the first examples of the Cadillac cut and sew approach to interior leather. The interior pieces are hand-cut to fit and sewn together, giving a very careful, custom finish to the interior.  An interesting point to me is that the navigation screen actually has a narrow-angle tilt adjustment, I assume to ensure maximum visibility in a variety of lighting situations; I found this a very thoughtful feature.

2008 Cadillac STS-V interior shot

The STS-V uses 18″ wheels in the front, 19″ wheels in the back, with big rubber — P255/45R18 front and P275/40R19 rear, Pirelli, W-rated, EMT, blackwall from the factory.  This one had Bridgestone Turanza Serenity tires on it, so one might assume the originals were replaced.  Due to the staggered wheel sizes, and to save weight, there is no spare tire in the STS-V.  The original equipment tires were run-flat tires.

One can see the 4-piston Brembo brake calipers and 14″ discs in the photo below.  These Cadillacs are the complete package, and go, stop, and turn well.

2008 STS-V wheels

Driving Impressions

I was very interested to see how the STS-V compared with the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V I test drove last weekend.  The CTS-V had the optional Recaro Sport seats, and the STS-V had ‘regular’ seats.  The STS-V seats are comfortable, but I prefer the Recaro seats.

The STS-V has more then adequate pickup of course, with 469 hp on tap.   It gives up a bit to the CTS-V’s 556 hp, but it is hard to say that 469 hp is not enough. The CTS-V has the terrific MR magnetic suspension, while the STS-V shares the 1st generation CTS-V’s tuned Sachs struts/shocks.    Both cars have electronic stability control, traction control, limited slip differentials, and share the same 6 speed automatic transmission with driver shift control.

I was surprised that the STS-V has a bit of supercharger whine.  Nothing to complain about (I like it), but it is there.  The CTS-V made a variety of delightful noises under power, but I did not detect any Supercharger whistle from inside the car, although my friend Jim noted that as I pulled up he could hear the CTS-V Supercharger.

The attraction of the 2008 STS-V is that it is a lot less expensive than the CTS-V, but has a lot of the similar performance traits, and has some features that are not available in the CTS family.  For example, the 2008 STS-V has head’s up display (HUD), lane departure warning, side blind zone alert, and adaptive cruise control.

Conclusion

This test drive further validated my conclusion that the STS-V would be a terrific car to get for my next Cadillac.  With the jewel-like 4.4L Supercharged DOHC VVT Northstar V8, it is a historically important model.  This was not the ‘last’ Northstar, but this series was the peak of Northstar V8 development.  I am a function over form guy, but I recognize that this is a special, hand-built engine performing very well on the platform it was exactly designed to power.  In 2008 this car was the finest sports luxury sedan Cadillac offered.

2008 Cadillac STS-V Supercharged Northstar

The Most Escalade The Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum

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Cadillac offers the full-size Escalade in three models:  Escalade, Escalade EXT, and Escalade ESV.  The EXT model offers a pickup truck bed.  The ESV offers more Escalade — the ESV is an extended variant of the already full-size Escalade SUV, and offers a full 45.8 cubic feet of space behind the 3nd row of seats.  Yes, that is about the same as 3 trunks in addition to 3 rows of seats.  Need the maximum Escalade?  The Escalade ESV may just be your perfect vehicle.

2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Summary Information

Models: Cadillac Escalade; Cadillac Escalade ESV; Cadillac EXT
Body style / driveline: Escalade: full-size, 4-door luxury SUV, front-engine, 2WD & AWD (7 to 8 passengers);

Escalade ESV: full-size, 4-door extended wheelbase luxury SUV, front-engine, 2WD & AWD (7 to 8 passengers);

Escalade EXT: full-size, 4-door luxury sport-utility truck, front-engine, AWD (2 to 5 passengers)
Construction: body-on-frame, all-welded, fully-boxed, ladder-type channel design, with hydroformed front and rear sections
EPA vehicle class: full-size, 4-door luxury sport utility
Manufacturing location: Escalade and Escalade ESV: Arlington, Texas; Escalade EXT, Silao, Mexico
Key competitors: Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 470, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Infiniti QX56; Lincoln Mark LT

2010 Cadillac Escalade ESV Console

The Escalade ESV comes with 3 rows of seats; you can either get dual bucket seats on the 2nd row, or an optional 3-seat bench.  With the 3-seat bench the ESV will seat a full 8 passengers, and with the extended length can carry their luggage too.

The Escalade L94 engine is almost perfect in this application.  With 403 hp, the V8 has plenty of power for almost any situation, even given the mass of the Escalade ESV.  New for 2010 is Active Fuel Management, which allows the V8 to run as a V4 under low load conditions such as steady state cruise.

Escalade ESV Platinum

Cadillac offers the Platinum Variant of certain models as the Maximum Luxury version.  For the Escalade, the Platinum package adds:

Platinum Includes unique front fascia with upper and lower grilles, LED headlamps, 22-inch multi-spoke chromed aluminum wheels, exclusive Light Linen/Cocoa interior, TEHAMA first- and second-row leather seating surfaces, embroidered Cadillac insignias and unique door sills, genuine olive ash and burled walnut wood trim, Rear-Seat Entertainment System with two 7-inch-diagonal screens integrated into the back of the front head restraints, remote, 2-channel headphones and heated and cooled front console cup holders.

Tahama Leather is a particularly delicate, soft, supple leather.   In this process, the leather is tinted all the way through, but in a way that does not hide any imperfections in the leather.  Therefore only the highest quality leather can be used.  Full-grain leathers are used, as found in the finest of leather goods.  Full-grain leathers have not been sanded or refinished in any way to remove imperfections; again, so only the best, highest quality leathers can be used, but allowing for the best fiber strength and durability.  Over time the Tahama leather will develop a patina rather than wear out.

Advantages of the Escalade ESV:

  • Seats 7 (or 8 with center bench)
  • Extended space for luggage or items behind the 3rd row of seats
  • Luxurious appointments throughout
  • Up-high seating allows excellent view in traffic

Disadvantages of the Escalade ESV:

  • People may assume you bought it for the bling factor (Do we care?)
  • Size — this is a large vehicle, which has to be taken into consideration when parking and similar situations