Carrying over the hard-edge styling that's become Cadillac's signature, the STS is probably the cleanest-styled and best-looking member of the family. Power comes from either the 3.6L DOHC V-6 used in the CTS making 255 hp or the rear-drive version of the 4.6L DOHC Northstar V-8 whacking out 320 hp. Both engines incorporate variable valve timing for improved efficiency and performance. Both are matched to a five-speed automatic transmission.
As expected, virtually every conceivable luxury and gadget is part of the STS package. That includes more entertainment systems than on the Vegas strip, a reconfigurable heads-up display, and seats covered in leather that comes from cows who volunteer their own lives to be part of the STS.
With Caddy's CTS-V getting so much attention, can an STS-V be far behind? Rumors are that, in fact, an STS-V is in the works, but it won't feature the CTS-V's LS6 5.7L OHV V-8. Instead expect the STS-V to appear with a supercharged version of the Northstar aboard making somewhere north of 420 hp and backed by a reinforced version of Caddy's new six-speed rear-drive automatic gearbox. Don't expect the STS-V before 2006 or 2007.
Drive Your Beer To Work[Photos 116-0804.SCUP 9A through 116-0804.SCUP 9B on disc.]If you're a big fan of Budweiser, driving to work every day in a Monte Carlo done up like Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR race car is probably a very attractive proposition. So now you can buy the Dale Earnhardt Jr. Signature Series Monte Carlo SS which features the 240hp supercharged 3800 V-6 under the hood and Victory Red paint on the outside. There are also some Bud-inspired body graphics and logos for the number 8 that Little E's car wears.
Of course some of us are old school enough to want to look like Dale Sr., so there's also a Monte Carlo Intimidator SS version available with black paint and appropriate trim.
There will be only 2,883 of these Monte Carlos produced, so rush down to your Chevy dealer now and buy six or seven of them. After all, you don't want to be the second guy to own one.
What You Really Had During the Classic Musclecar Era[Photos 116-0804.SCUP 11 on disc.]No one wanted a new musclecar more than 6-to-10-year-old boys back in the late '60s, but virtually none of them could actually afford one. So we all got Schwinn Sting Rays instead-the bicycle equivalent of a musclecar for kids who had neither muscles nor cars. And the Sting Ray is back
The classic Sting Ray is back on sale in both basic and Krate versions, but it's the updated Sting Ray with chopper-like styling and long wheelbase that is generating the heat right now.
For those of us who were boys back then, the big problem with the new Sting Rays is that we've grown far too large to ride them. Where's the Sting Ray for aging fat guys? www.schwinnstingray.com.
Lincoln Takes A Flyer On A New Zephyr[Photos 116-0804.SCUP 12A through 116-0804.SCUP 12B on disc.]With all the competition from Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, Mercedes, and a resurgent Cadillac, Ford's luxury division has to do something to fight back.
The new Zephyr is determined to establish Lincoln in the competitive compact luxury segment that's dominated by cars like the BMW 3-Series and Lexus ES. Based on Ford's "CD3" front-drive architecture (it's also used under the Mazda6), the Zephyr is at least good-looking, reviving styling cues from the classic '61 Continental. Power comes from a 3.0L version of Ford's Duratech V-6 with a 3.5L version likely to join the lineup later. The new GM-Ford six-speed automatic transaxle will be part of the package from the start. All-wheel drive is scheduled to join the lineup some time after launch. Production of the new Zephyr starts next year with the car going on sale as an '06 model.