2006 Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V arrive in Europe
 

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European debut at 2005 Frankfurt Auto Show


Supercharged 4.4 liter Northstar V8 engine delivers 350 kW (469 hp*) in STS-V and 330 kW (443 hp*) in XLR-V
Handcrafted leather wrapped interior
Cadillac Vs provide alternatives to high-end performance variants of European manufacturers

Cadillac will host the European debut of the STS-V and XLR-V next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show (IAA) in Germany. These high-performance additions to the Cadillac portfolio have completed testing and the numbers certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) are official. The STS-V delivers 350 kW (469 hp) and the XLR-V is certified at 330 kW (443 hp).



"Cadillac's V-Series is founded on the idea of taking the strong performance and luxury attributes of our core vehicles and extending them even higher," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac General Manager. "As a result, Cadillac's V-Series – CTS-V and STS-V sedans and XLR-V hard-top convertible roadster – are serious performers that compete with the high-end performance variants of any manufacturer and now provide European customers with new alternatives.”



Like their mainstream siblings, the STS-V and XLR-V combine distinctively bold styling with contemporary luxury and superior rear-wheel drive performance. Cadillac's V-Series strategy represents limited production series in which the performance and luxury of the brand's vehicles are taken to their full extent. The "V" designation is a tribute to classic Cadillac nameplates of decades past. The contemporary V-Series era began with the introduction of the 298 kW (400 hp) CTS-V in 2004 in North America.



Development and performance testing of both, the STS-V and XLR-V was done at the Nordschleife circuit of Germany 's famed N ü rburgring, widely recognized as one of the world's most demanding tracks. The 4.4 liter Northstar V-8 supercharged DOHC engine features variable valve timing and represents the most output ever for a production Cadillac. The official SAE ratings for the 2006 STS-V are 350 kW (469 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 595 Nm of torque at 3900 rpm. The XLR-V is rated at 330 kW (443 hp) at 6,400 rpm and 561 Nm of torque at 3900 rpm. The supercharged 4.4 liter Northstar engine generates more peak power in the STS-V than in the XLR-V, due to the larger engine compartment that allows more induction and exhaust capacity. On the other hand, the XLR-V benefits from its superior power-to-weight ratio. Both vehicles feature GM's new Hydra-matic six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and accelerate from 0 – 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 5 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h for both vehicles.



With sales in Europe scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2006, pricing for the STS-V and XLR-V will be announced at a later stage.



*European horsepower ratings are 476 hp (PS) for STS-V and 448 hp (PS) for XLR-V

source:http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050823.003