2008 Cadillac STS V-6

2008 Cadillac STS V-6 - This latest V-6 is indeed a gem. Significant among its attributes is direct fuel injection, which squirts the fuel into the combustion chamber rather than the intake track. That’s not new technology, but direct injection is gaining in popularity because when the fuel is introduced into the cylinder, there’s a cooling effect that increases charge density and reduces the tendency for harmful detonation. This allows designers to raise the compression ratio for better efficiency and more power.

It’ll take a finely calibrated backside to feel the difference between the new STS V-6 and the optional 320-hp V-8 model, which last year came bundled with several features and as a result cost about $9500 more. The two now share the same six-speed automatic transmission, and the acceleration times are within a few ticks of each other. The V-6 scoots to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, behind the V-8 by only 0.2 second.

Cadillac has made detail improvements that include a shifter which no longer feels as though it belonged in a Cavalier. Pricing was not set at press time, but figure $43,500 for a base V-6, and think hard about spending extra for the V-8.