The arrival of the all-new Cadillac STS V8 automatic proved that the Yanks have finally joined the upper ranks in automobile engineering. Our three-way tussle with it against Yankee cohort Chrysler 300C and the advanced Audi A6 4.2 indicated it?s not just a GM attempt at producing another Yank-tank, with nothing but comfort and space going for it.

What I?m talking about is that although the fine Northstar engine has all the bells and whistles it somehow does not match the top rival engines of similar size. For a start, the 4.2-litre Audi engine develops 62kW per litre to STS?s 52. And this is the problem, as the Caddy?s engine is a top-notch 4.6-litre 32-valve quad-cam V8 with all the bells and whistles including variable valve timing.

It also revs smoothly to 6700rpm and sounds damn good too. In fact it has all the basics in place to be more than just a boulevard cruiser. But why not ? with such a well engineered engine ? offer the same specific outputs as the top-gun rivals. After all, it is a Cadillac.

With a legacy that belonged at the top end of the ladder in opulence and bling, it should at least compare with the best. As an example the Lexus LS460 with similar sized V8 engine and technology develops 288kW, equating to 63kW per litre. However, to the STS?s advantage, the Jaguar 4.2 and Volvo 4.4 equate to 53 and 52kW per litre respectively ? almost identical to the STS.

So why does the STS still offer such competitive dynamic performance? Well, surprisingly, it?s to do with power to weight ratios. Here the STS scores well at 132kW per ton, with the Volvo S80 at 123, Jaguar Sovereign at 122, Lexus LS 460 at 135 and A6 4.2 at 145 ? the latter figure assisted by the aluminium used in its body construction. But again ? not to belabour the point too much ? with just another 10 to 15kW of power and light mass of 1850kg, the STS would top the ladder end in dynamic performance too.

The STS has other upsides such as refined handling and stopping like most top saloons of equal size. It?s so heartening to hear the words ?independent suspension on all four wheels? on a Yankee V8. The way it handled speed bumps was impressive, as was handling at high speed, no doubt as a result of the ?magnetic ride? shock absorbers that thicken the oil, especially when travelling at higher speeds.

Unusual in design, the Caddy is looks different in the parking lot and from certain angles looks good too. In the cabin the Caddy is getting closer to the Euro styling, with little to show for its Yankee genes. However there does seem a touch of Swedish minimalist flair, no doubt from its SAAB connections.