DOWN THE ROAD: Cadillac is synonymous with luxury. But the STS offers not only luxury but also performance. Regardless of the 3.6-liter or 4.6-liter models you pick, this sports sedan will take you to your destination with remarkable agility. The STS, which has replaced the Seville, offers a smooth ride down a city street or on Tampa Bay area highways. This all-new vehicle is based on General Motors’ rear-wheel-drive Sigma architecture.

TECH & PERFORMANCE: Available only in rear-wheel drive, the 3.6-liter V-6 engine boasts 255 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 252 pounds-feet of torque at 3200 rpm.

The 4.6-liter V-8 featuring 320 hp at 6400 rpm and 315 pounds-feet of torque at 4400 rpm comes in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive. Ride-tuned tires, dampers and an independent suspension system reduce road noise in this five-speed automatic.

Integrated with traction control and antilock brakes is the StabiliTrack, which takes appropriate action to guide the driver faced with an over steering or under steering situation. And those who want nothing but tremendous power at their feet can opt for the 2006 STS-V model, which will be equipped with a supercharged 4.4-liter V-8 pumping out 469 hp at 6400 rpm.

LOOK AND FEEL: It’s not just the doors-into-roof construction that is a giveaway the STS is a Cadillac. Also eye catching are vertically stacked headlamps, wire-mesh airfoil grille, horizontal spline lines, dihedral-shaped hood and LED tail lamps.

The interior has plenty of headroom and legroom for five adults. In typical Cadillac fashion, leather seats greet and grab the occupants’ attention. Go for the luxury performance package if you like eucalyptus wood trim, heated/ventilated front seats, a heated wood steering wheel, rain sensing wipers, rear spoiler, among other attractive additions.

SAFETY FIRST: It’s all standard: driver and front passenger and side airbags, head curtain side impact airbag for both seats and the spoiler of them all: keyless access, which requires the driver to push a button on the instrument panel to turn on the car with the key fob in the pocket. The rear park assist beeps if an object is hidden while backing out of a parking lot or your driveway.

BY THE NUMBERS: Tires, P235/50R17 front, P255/45R17 rear; wheelbase, 116.4 inches; length, 196.3 inches; weight, 3,857 pounds; fuel capacity, 17.5 gallons; highway 24, city 17 mpg.

OUT THE DOOR: $40,525, plus tax, tag, delivery and destination charges. The luxury performance package is priced at $8,595.

WHY DIG IT: This all-new luxury sports sedan from Cadillac offers a bold exterior, spacious and luxurious interior, superior performance and several advanced technological features. There is no reason it can’t give the rest of the competition in its league a tough race to the finish line.

Nitish S. Rele is an Advertising Staff Writer for The Tampa Tribune.