Automotive muscle is a function of a vehicle's power-to-weight ratio, or how many pounds each horsepower has to propel. The STS comes in 12.9 lb. per hp - a very low number for a large luxury sedan. For comparison, the new LexusLS 400 has 14 lb. for each of its 260 hp.
The computer management system orchestrating the interaction of the Northstar V8 and General Motors' excellent 4T80-E 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission does an exceptional job of getting all that power onto the pavement, even in hard cornering. Cadillac's Northstar System was a superb piece of engineering when it was introduced on the ill-starred Allante. And with the various tweaks that have come along since, including 1995 refinements, it's better yet.
The Seville's improvements for '95 are all pretty much invisible. But these engineering refinements are tangible nonetheless. Tops is a retuned exhaust system. The STS and Eldorado Touring Coupe both came to market with an impudent, raspy exhaust snarl, conceived to let owners know they had one of the hottest V8s in luxoland. Although some owners approved, too many didn't, and for '95 the Northstar's music has been considerably muted.
A final note: We think the car's aggressive lines, enhanced by the monochrome exterior treatment used on the STS, are still appealing and distinctive. Next Page