(USAÂ Today) – For 2011, the Cadillac STS doesn’t see as many updates as much as it sees a prominent deletion. This year, the 320-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 has been discontinued. The move makes sense, considering the powertrain provided little extra oomph compared with its modern V-6 counterpart and had far worse fuel economy (15/24 mpg city/highway).
Now, the only available powertrain is a 302-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (the same as the Cadillac CTS) in either rear- or all-wheel drive. The V-6 gets 18/27 mpg with either rear- or all-wheel drive.
Besides discontinuing the V-8, the 2011 STS adds ninth-generation OnStar technology, which provides better voice recognition. Cadillac’s new four-year/50,000-mile free maintenance is standard. The 2011 STS is technically available in one trim with packages tacked on:
The STS comes in Base, Luxury Collection, Premium Collection and Platinum levels.
Platinum models include 18-inch wheels, leather-wrapped interior, Alcantara headliner and Platinum badging.
The 2011 STS starts at $47,280, which is a $435 price increase over the 2010.
Last year, the 469-horsepower STS-V was discontinued. A Performance Package still offers Brembo brakes, ZF Servotronic steering gear, self-adjusting suspension and a limited-slip differential if you still want that on an STS.
With no new updates and only slight cosmetic updates since the STS debuted in 2005, we can’t see this Cadillac living much longer beyond the 2011 model year.
