SAE starts with STS SAE 100
The Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress starts today at the Cobo Center in Detroit and is the biggest automotive technology event in the world for 2005. GM has introduced the Cadillac STS SAE 100 that will serve as a working laboratory for future automotive technologies. The STS SAE 100 is powered by a supercharged version of the 6.0-liter LS2 engine making 505 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque. A list of new technologies is at the link.
Capless fuel system:
Removing a gas cap can be difficult for arthritic,
disabled or elderly people. With this system, the user simply pushes an interior button and an electronically activated
ball spins open to allow access to the fuel pipe, and closes when the nozzle is removed. In addition, a capless system
means theres no cap to lose and no risk of a loose cap triggering a dashboard warning light.
Side blind zone alert:
Radar sensors warn a driver about to change lanes if another vehicle is in the drivers blind spot.
Inside rear-view mirror with embedded organic LED screen:
This new device offers clear images from the rear seat (via a rear seat camera) or back-up camera, depending on what
gear the vehicle is in. In addition to improving visibility behind the vehicle, it can reduce the distraction
associated with tending to rear seat passengers.
Two-piece carbon fiber wheel with magnesium spokes:
This two-piece wheel is designed to be
the lightest yet strongest wheel in production, which reduces unsprung weight. Reducing unsprung weight improves
acceleration, braking efficiency, handling and fuel consumption.
Electronic limited slip differential:
Unlike passive LSD, this technology enhances vehicle
traction without brake/engine intervention, as well as provides additional vehicle stability from the differential yaw
dampening effect. It also is easier to integrate with electronic stability control systems.
Advanced LED headlight / foglight optics
3-D navigation system:
This prototype system uses actual pictures taken by satellites to provide the driver with a birds-eye-view of the
vehicles surroundings. The images are so detailed that even trees and lampposts are visible. This detail helps the
driver to relate the images on the navigation screen to his surroundings.
Oil condition sensor:
An industry first in new vehicle features, this oil probe can determine and detect the actual level and remaining
engine oil life. It can reduce the need for costly engine repairs due to poor oil maintenance as well as prevent
unnecessary oil changes.
Trunk is filled with electronics.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phunk 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
I have a '53 Series 62 Convertible that's screaming for that drivetrain!
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Mike 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Nifty setup. The one big flaw I see is the Capless fuel system, where instead of losing your gas cap, you just scratch the side of the car. It still needs some sort of shield around the filler hole.
Thumbs up on the screen in the rear view, and the radar indicator in the side mirrors. The nav system is good, as long as they have up to date sat photes. In the DC area, things are changing so fast that photos from a year ago might actually make navigation worse.
The oil system is old news, a few German cars have had the for a while, but it's nice to see GM stepping in to this century.
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Angry Engineer 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
If I'm not mistaken, the cars currently in production only infer the condition of the oil based on environmental conditions. I think this Caddy actually measures the quality of the oil. I've heard of similar things being used in the heavy-truck industry.
Gotta love those composite brakes, and I'd like to hear more about the electronic LSD (sounds somewhat similar to the system that Honda's used on the Prelude).
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Jeff Crew 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
This is what should be in production... well most of it. This would be the "Standard of the World". It is funny but I have previously stated on the GM Fast Lane sight that the STS-V should have the ZO6 power train like the CTS-V has the base Vette power train. It is a natural progression, economies of scale and not short changing the power of the car. The superchaged Northstar is nice, but 500hp is better.
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tim 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
this is sooo cool! lexus and mercedes are hiding in the reeds again, waiting for GM to make these computer/engineering feats workable. once again, the engineering leader of the world shows off its stuff. great for all of us in keeping the roads safe and cars leading edge! thanks for the link!
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Seth L 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
My thoughts exactly Mike.
That's a fairly small hole for an arthritic person to try and hit.
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iBran 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Speaking of small, the "side blind zone alert" warning light is way too small. Why is it located on the mirror? People that don't see cars in their blind spot aren't looking there anyways!
That LED screen in the mirror looks like it's useless, too. They make a gas cap for arthritic people, but force everyone to squint at a tiny screen?
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Rick 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
That looks awesome!
I'm glad that the 2005 Cadillac STS has an available limited-slip differential, unlike most of its competition.
Go Cadillac!!!!
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Al 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Gas cap is great as long as it's shielded.... So just use the rotating ball thingie inside a traditional gas door.
OLED in mirror - stupid. But then, yuppies will love it.
3d navigation. im surprised it's not already offered.
Electronic limited slip: Lame. A Detroit Truetrac is the ultimate in limited slip. But this electronic one definitely has its advantages.
Current oil life sensors are a best guess system.
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Herb S 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Nothing is more clich?han a Cadillac driving 10 mph below the speed limit with the turn signal stuck on. Hey Cadillac. . . . cant you stick a computer on the turn signal to shut the damn thing off?! Love the LED lighting, but the silver-haired set does not need another reason to keep it on while barreling down the road! Thats just painful to watch.
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tim 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
ahhahaha...Herb S. very funny, man! you left out one thing...in the passing lane.
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patrick millenbach 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
nice car, saw it in person down at cobo. i really like it. the only thing i wonder are since it has a supercharged vette motor in it what are some 1/4 times,o-60 times,, noone at cobo had a clue when i was talkin to them but nice nice car!!!!!!
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tim 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
#12 - how fast? well, with weight given to be about the same at 3800lbs, the 2001 lamborghini diablo with "only" 475lb-ft/torque and 550bhp, did:
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
0-100 mph: 8.8 sec
Quarter Mile: 12.0 sec @ 122 mph
give or take a half second, i bet the straight line numbers should be about the same for the caddy with 505 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque. of course, it would be lost in the first turn by the lambo.
"google"ing this car, i found the entire list of features. there were a lot more technologies featured on this car than listed here. two i loved:
1 - The heated and cooled cup holders between the two front seats come from Tellurex Corp. of Traverse City. They can keep drinks as warm as 120 degrees and as cool as 40 degrees.
High-output electroluminescent wires around the cup holders glow red or blue, respectively, for heating or cooling. Robert Miller, a private consultant in Plymouth, developed the lighted wires.
2 - Supplemental rapid passenger compartment heating. The Liquid Heat Generator is a rapid supplemental heater device that provides close-toinstantaneous heat in the vehicle interior. (At 4 degrees F outside, the temperature near the drivers feet after two minutes was approximately 63 degrees F, compared to 38 degrees F without any supplemental heating.)
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Jeremy Sanger 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Thanks for mentioning the Rapid (close-to-instantaneous) heating system.
In time, many autos should have the ability to warm the cabin of the car immediately.
More information on this technology is available at www.ventechlhg.com
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xmfu 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
i think the oil condition sensor is very important in maintaining cars,and it will have a bright future,also a scorching competition.
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