DETROIT - The 2008 Cadillac STS debuts next month with a new, 302-horsepower engine with direct injection technology that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions. In addition, Cadillac's luxury performance sedan also showcases enhanced signature styling and the addition of leading-edge safety technology.
"For the past two decades, the Cadillac STS has been a showcase of luxury, performance and technology," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The enhanced 2008 model extends that with bolder design, more standard power, better
For 2008, STS will be the first GM vehicle equipped with a new 3.6L direct injection V-6 engine. Direct Injection, an advanced system for more precise and productive fuel delivery, enables the rare achievement of simultaneous gains in power, fuel efficiency and emissions performance. The new standard engine for STS delivers a SAE-certified 302 horsepower (225 kW) at 6300 rpm,* 47 more horsepower (35 kW) than the previous 3.6-liter V-6. Torque is also increased to 272 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) at 5200 rpm,* an upgrade of 20 lb.-ft. (27 Nm). At the same time, the engine is expected to deliver improved fuel efficiency. Official EPA fuel economy statistics for the 2008 model have not yet been announced. On the outgoing 2007 model STS, EPA fuel economy is 18 mpg city and 27 mpg hwy.
Additionally, direct injection's more efficient operation enables a 25-percent reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions.
Coupled to the new V-6 engine will be the 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission, introduced last year on Northstar V-8 models, which has a generous 6.04:1 overall ratio that enables a steep first-gear that helps deliver strong launch acceleration. The STS V-6 continues to be available with all-wheel drive for 2008.
Continuing Cadillac's commitment to the advancement of safety and performance attributes, the 2008 STS includes new systems and advanced technologies to enhance driver awareness and control.
For the first time, Cadillac's acclaimed StabiliTrak electronic stability control system now includes the optional addition of active steering technology. In addition to controlling brakes and reducing engine power, the latest iteration of StabiliTrak combines active front steering to turn the front wheels into the skid when rear wheels lose traction. The system includes a new steering motor assembly combined with computer-driven electronic controls that measure wheel slippage at all four wheels independently during acceleration, braking and adverse road conditions.
GM's Lane Departure Warning System also debuts on the 2008 STS. Controlled by a camera located in the rearview mirror that reads the lines in the road, the system will alert drivers when they have strayed into another lane. Drivers get both an audible and visual alert cue.
When the Lane Departure Warning System is engaged, a driver traveling at 35 mph or more who crosses a detected lane marking without signaling is alerted in two ways: The system flashes an amber indicator light located in the fuel gauge of the instrument panel, and an alerting chime of three beeps is played. The system does not steer the vehicle; it is designed only to alert drivers so they can take appropriate action to move the vehicle back into the lane.
GM's Side Blind Zone Alert System extends and enhances driver awareness and vision. Alternating radar beams in Side Blind Zone Alert System sweep adjacent lanes of traffic, covering a zone of about one lane over from both sides of the vehicle, or 11 feet (3.5 m). The zone starts at each side mirror and goes back about 16 feet (5 m).
When the system is engaged, a driver will know that following vehicles in the adjacent lanes are entering their side blind zone when an amber symbol, located in the outside rearview mirror, is illuminated.
The system is not designed to detect vehicles outside of the side blind zone that may be rapidly approaching, or detect pedestrians, bicyclists or animals. It's designed to ignore infrastructure such as fire hydrants or parked cars. In addition, the system displays do not come on while the vehicle is approaching or passing other vehicles.
The Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert systems can be manually turned off by the driver.
A new performance handling package will be available for V-8-equipped rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models and V-6-equipped rear-drive models. The package includes 18-inch x 8.5-inch aluminum alloy, chrome-plated wheels fitted with new P255/45R18 Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only tires.
Four-piston caliper Brembo brakes, with front rotors measuring 355 mm x 32 mm and 365 mm x 28 mm rear rotors, provide enhanced baking. All four rotors are vented.
A bolder new look, inside and out
The new STS injects more of the bold design flair that has become a Cadillac signature. Up front, the dual-textured, multi-faceted grille - first seen on the landmark Cadillac Sixteen concept car and incorporated on both the Escalade and soon-to-be-launched CTS - has been adapted to the STS.
High Intensity Discharge lamps and the Intellibeam automatic high-beam system are added for the first time for V-6 models. The lower front fascia features a new intake and grille pattern evoking Cadillac's V-Series high-performance models.
Similarly, side air extractors, again inspired by the Sixteen and Escalade, are now
incorporated into the front fenders of STS. New chrome-plated door handles and lower rocker moldings are added for more presence and refinement. At the rear, the new fascia is now body color and is highlighted with polished aluminum three-inch exhaust tips. New, polished 18-inch x 8-inch aluminum 14-spoke wheels are available.
The luxurious interior of the STS includes a new steering wheel with available genuine Sapele Pommele wood trim. The center stack of the instrument panel is revised with the addition of wood and metallic trim.
A friend, along with her family that consists 4 children went to live in a house, which very much looks like the one of the Victorian age. They are staying there for past one year, but they did not even change anything of the house. At first everybody thought that she likes the way the house looks and that is why she is not changing anything. But one day when the house owner threw a party and some of the guests gathered in the kitchen, then they came to know that the house owner is simply afraid of the renovation ideas of kitchen.
The kitchen seriously needed a thorough renovation. So all of her friends insisted her to think of a proper innovation. Some of her friends, who were decorators and contractors by profession, came up with some kitchen ideas.
Some people think that renovating old houses are very painstaking. But this conception is not entirely true. Renovating an old house can be very cheap. Because in that case, the new things can easily coexists with the older ones.
The kitchen renovation plans are very effective and it can be implied on both new and old houses. But you must review the whole plan, before renovating.
The first think you need to think before renovating, is the costing. You need a good monitory back up to make your dream come true. But do not get tensed. There are some areas, where you can cut down the costs a bit. And that is too without compromising with the quality. There are some things that you should not forget. Always remember to save money for labor costs, fixtures and design. These are the most important things for renovation. Do not go for the structural changes. It will increase your cost.
But still if you want to go for structural changes, then choose a builder who works in a relatively small budget. You can cut down your cost by adding or removing a divider. Sit window or skylight can also be used.
While renovating your kitchen, you must think of some other things too. You must keep in mind whether your heating, plumbing and electrical requirement are good enough or not. There are some kitchens that look brilliant, but they are either very energy consuming or are not fire proof. They can put you in deep danger. So you should remember to take care of these problems while renovating an old house.
Cabinets, flooring and countertops are very important to create the good look of a kitchen. But there again the cost problems will occur. But you can avoid these problems. Just be an intelligent buyer. Having good kitchen ideas are important. Do not buy marbles or granites. They are expensive. There are lots of other things available now, which are also good looking. And they cost lower. Stock cabinets can be a good replacement of the ones, which are custom fitted.
So, what are you waiting for? Do not get tensed or afraid of renovating your old house. Just follow these informative tips and keep on renovating.
Both Poka & Ray Walberg are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Ray Walberg has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Architecture and Kitchen Remodeling Ideas. Ray Walberg published especially for , an internet site covering information on kitchen design and new kitchen designs. His. Ray Walberg's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.