Under the skin of the 2005 Cadillac STS
When Cadillac pulled the covers off its 2005 STS at the New York Auto Show, the big news was the base price: $40,995 for the V6 model, $47,495 for the V8. The switch to rear-drive from front-drive, with all-wheel-drive an option on V8 models, was a close second. But there's a lot more to the new STS than meets the eye. Specifically:
* It's built on the Sigma platform along with the CTS and SRX, and approximately 30,000 will be sourced from the Lansing Assembly Plant.
* A one-piece hydroformed rail runs from the A- to C-pillars, with structural foam used in the A- and C-pillars and along the windshield base, rockers and rear wheel kick-up.
* The front suspension has aluminum upper and lower control arms, knuckles and body interface brackets.
* Aluminum is used for the upper control arm and knuckles in the rear, and for both the front and rear brake calipers.
* Jim Federico, chief engineer, Prestige Vehicles, says the STS is 5 dB to 10 dB quieter than the smaller CTS due to structural integration of the longitudinal rails and crossmembers.
* The windshield and front side windows are laminated to reduce noise.
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