Cadillac is spreading its "V" treament to cover a new vehicle. The STS-V was unveiled in Detroit yesterday [Monday] as the third part of a powerful GM introduction, which included the new Z06 and C6R. The STS-V gets similar exterior treatment to what the CTS-V got, although this big sedan is a little more reserved than its little brother, as one might expect. The mesh grille and the enlarged lower mesh grille up front, lower body panels all around and an enlarged spoiler give some attitude to this long-lined luxury car, while it still maintains a grat sense of elegance and composure with its grand, long lines.

Under the hood is the heart of the "V" treatment: a monster motor. The 4.4 liter Northsar V8, with four valve heads and continuously variable valve timing, has an intercooled supercharged which boosts its power to 440hp; specific output is 100 horsepower per liter.

The supercharged Northstar V8: 4.4 liters, 440 hp, 430 lb-ft of torque - 90% of which is available from 2200 to 6000rpm, and VVT.

The Northstar V8 SC also produces 430 lb-ft of torque, ninety percent of which is available from 2200 to 6000 rpm; that's quite a sweet-spot. The STS-V is a bit weaker than its German competition, which range from 450 to 500hp V12s (plus the supercharged V8 of he S55 AMG Mercedes). But the STS-V will be lighter than all the competition, which will rectify most of the performance differences.

This supercharger is worthy of special note - engineers were happy to tell us that this blower operates with some 30% less drag than the Ford GT's supercharger, and the intercooler has 50 cooling fins per inch length of the pipeline. There is some rather respectable engineering underhood.

Independent SLA suspension up front and a 5-link rear ensure an opportunity for GM's engineers to make the ride capable and comfortable; we shall see how well they balance the handling.

The interior is reminiscent of the CTS-v, especially the leather seats with sueded centers, but with much more room and much more refinement than the smaller Caddy.

GM's new 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Electronic controls allow for manual shifting, a performance shifting mode, and a mode that holds the gear mid-corner.

Bob Lutz tells us how he manages to get so much done at GM, how he cn literally (seem to) be in two places at once: meet Bob's assistant, "Bob" (thanks for the laughs, Bob :) )

And the last thing we learned from GM today was how Bob Lutz gets so much done.  He has greatly improved the gaps on body panels, he has helped usher in a new highly desirable GM product line, and he is overall managing to move the company well up in the marketplace. When he needs to be on the show floor at the same time as he needs to attend a company meeting, or when he wants to get some excercise at the same time that he wants to go check out the metal fabricators' work, his new assistant - "Bob" - can step in, an go to those meetings, or go take care of the excercise.

"Bob" tells us about his busy schedule today

So, we would like to thank "Bob," for standing tallike the marine Bob Lutz is, and for taking care of all the little things so Bob Lutz can move forward with the big things. We appreciate all "Bob's" work. And we appreciate the STS-V. Remembering the CTS-V (look for the test drive review in the next month), we can't wait to get our hands on the more refined STS-V.