2006 Cadillac STS V

Description

You know that Cadillac regained their swagger when virtually every car in the lineup had a V version with 400+ horsepower. This 2006 STS-V was the top-of-the-line, throwing every technology trick they knew into the gorgeous STS body, then powering it with a supercharged Northstar DOHC V8. Without cars like this, today's amazing V-series machines simply wouldn't exist, and for that alone we owe it a debt of gratitude.

Dressed in black, the STS-V looks imposing and sinister and represents a very successful integration of Cadillac's "Art & Science" styling. Angular and distinctly American, it just looks nasty on the road and backs it up with legitimate performance. As an insanely expensive car when it was new, it was obviously treated extremely well and today it shows quite well thanks to the ministrations of very attentive owners. The factory finish remains quite impressive and if you haven't driven a Cadillac lately, you probably don't realize that build quality is worlds better than your Aunt Edna's 1979 Sedan DeVille. The V makeover added a domed hood, the mesh grille, deeper air dam, side skirts, and a subtle deck lid spoiler, all of which enhance performance and looks without becoming too boy-racer, which wouldn't fit a Cadillac at all. All shined up, this black hammer cruises through traffic like an apex predator and only most car-savvy motorists recognize it before it's too late. To drive this car is to always be looking for a reason to drop the hammer.

The impressive black leather interior delivers just the right blend of performance and luxury. Body-hugging buckets with suede inserts are perfectly appropriate for the high-performance sedan's abilities, and you'll arrive after a long journey feeling refreshed. They show minimal wear, thanks to quality materials and great care over the years. The woodgrained appliques on the dash warm things up a bit and highlight the big infotainment screen at the top of the center stack. Clear analog gauges are brightly lit from behind and the technology packed into this car is impressive, ranging from tire pressure monitoring to OnStar. Other features include power everything, a powerful sound system, cruise control, automatic climate control, and just about everything else you'd expect from the top-of-the-line model. And all of it remains in first-class condition, erasing the years and miles and offering you a great opportunity. Even the trunk looks like it's never been used.

For power, the STS-V used Cadillac's proprietary Northstar DOHC V8 engine, which in the V's case, displaces 4.4 liters and is topped by a supercharger. With 440 horsepower channeled through the rear wheels, performance is more Corvette than luxury car, yet the silky smooth snarl of the sophisticated powerplant is part of the experience. Dressed up with a plastic engine cover, there's not much to see other than the fact that everything is very clean and well maintained, and nailing the throttle summons full boost before your foot hits the carpet-talk about instantaneous! It's backed by a quick-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission, a sophisticated performance-oriented suspension, and massive disc brakes at all four corners. The original STS-V wheels were powdercoated black for a bit more menace and wear 225/45/19 front and 275/40/19 rear performance radials.

This is a heck of a lot of car for the money with enough performance to be impressive even eight years later. Take a drive in one of Cadillac's very best efforts and call today!