American Woman Motorscene

Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan: Feeling younger yet more mature at the same time

by: Sue Mead

I remember my first drive in a Cadillac. It isn't one of those melodramatic memories filled with the music from "On Golden Pond" against a backdrop of fall leaves flickering in the last light of the setting sun. In a place where the grass is manicured and picture-postcard green. Where the water runs clear and sky blue. That's what I always thought my first drive in a Cadillac would feel like. I'd feel older and more mature, if you know what I mean.

I remember my first drive in a Cadillac last fall...in Pasadena, Calif., cruising the 110 Freeway, just past the peak of rush hour The sun was arching low against the haze-filled horizon. With me were four USC students singing along with a Sheryl Crow CD. "All I want to do is have some fun, till the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard," they crooned, comfortably reposed in the safe cabin of our luxury motorcar with its concert-hall quality sound system. I smiled a contented smile. I'd scored big with the Generation-X'ers! I suddenly felt younger and more mature, if you know what I mean.

Two days before, when I'd arrived in The City of Angels for Parent's Weekend at the University of Southern California, driving a Seville Touring Sedan (STS), my daughter had asked accusingly, "What's that you're driving?!" She was used to seeing me in a variety of sports cars and sport/utility vehicles, not luxury sedans. However, we learned together over the next few days and some 200 miles that this refined vehicle was not stuffy. It was actually quite sporty. It had readily available power and handled like a smaller car. Yet, it had a comfortable roominess that accommodated five travelers with ease. And a large trunk that swallowed up our gear with room to spare.

On the other hand, we found the STS like an elegant meal served on a linen tablecloth-it was a pleasure to sit down to and enjoy the image. Whether we were swathed in a dress or in jeans. This is the '90s. But perhaps most important, I appreciated the combination of this vehicle's safety and performance features that translated into confident and capable handling on the freeways and around town. After all, I am a mother.

Recently, I drove the '96 STS along a stretch of Lake Michigan's shoreline. As I maneuvered through Traverse City's traffic and then traversed the rolling hills of the nearby wine country, I was impressed in the same way that I was nearly a year ago in the '95, but also was delighted to see a slightly new look to both the exterior and interior, as well as by the upgrades and changes in the latest version of Seville luxury. And I was impressed by the quiet ride delivered by the STS' powerful engine.

Many exterior And interior design changes have come about as a result of the voice of female buyers. Like many car makers today that are focusing their attention to the wants and needs of women, Cadillac has set up customer research centers and followed through with changes that have improved seat design, interior ergonomics and safety and security features. And while the median age of Cadillac buyers has been 52, the prestigious automaker now is gearing its cars toward younger buyers in general, and women in particular.

Let's take a closer look at the '96 STS. From the outside, the STS creates an overall impression that's contemporary and yet also has a sporty flair. This theme carries over to the interior, as well. If it appears brighter, it is. There are new standard daytime running lamps, an automatic lights-on system where the headlamps remain on at a lower intensity during daylight hours, which is believed to reduce the risk of accidents due to increased visibility to other traffic.

The "international" interior boasts new designs in a number of areas and offers several new convenience features. The doors, seats and instrument panel present a clean, luxurious and integrated look. Front seats appear handcrafted and now have better lumbar support, are slightly longer and are easier to see over and around from the rear seating positions. The Driver Information Center controls have been moved to the center console. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) now are positioned below the entertainment system. As a result, the analog gauge cluster has a larger speedometer and tachometer and brighter backlighting, creating easier readability. A new exclusive seamless airbag system design eliminates the passenger airbag trap door, giving the appearance of a smooth, seamless instrument panel.

There are now manual recirculation and dual-zone temperature controls for the HVAC and a Cadillac-exclusive entertainment system that includes AM/FM stereo with cassette player or an optional Bose amplified speaker system with new Digital Signal Processing and a 12disc trunk-mounted CD changer with built-in controls. In addition illuminated steering wheel controls operate radio and climate control functions with paddle-style knobs located on either side of the steering wheel to provide easy access while driving.

And, for those of us who need or simply enjoy a phone in our vehicle, there's an available fixed or portable Dual Mode Cellular Phone integrated into the center armrest with memory for 100 numbers and hands-free voice activation. Drivers arc able to interact with the phone through steering wheel controls and the Driver Information Center, whereby the phone reacts to voice instruction utilizing a microphone in the overhead console with amplification through the audio system.

Additional convenience features include a valet lockout button in the glovebox that allows the driver to deactivate trunk, fuel door and garage door opener functions; an anti-lockout feature that prevents the driver's door from locking when the key is in the ignition; and personalization features that include four configurations for the automatic door lock system and memory positioning of seat adjustments for seating position while driving and exiting. In addition, door handles and all controls have been thoughtfully redesigned to accommodate long fingernails, and access to stowage redesigned to accommodate fingernails and jewelry.

The heart and soul of the STS, however, is Cadillac's Northstar system. Although often referred to as "the Northstar engine," it's far more than a powertrain. It's actually a ride control system that integrates a series of vehicle components in the powertrain and chassis to deliver improved state-of-the-art performance and a safer, more comfortable ride and improved handling.

Power comes from a dual overhead cam (DOHC) 4.6-liter V-8 engine, which has the distinction of being the highest-powered engine in its class. A new sensor more precisely controls the amount of fuel being delivered to each cylinder and, as a result, driving and engine efficiency are improved and exhaust emissions are reduced. This engine, which produces 300 horsepower and is capable of the sprightly acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds, is matched to a four-speed electronically controlled transmission. Combined with this are enhanced speedsensitive steering, four-wheel antilock brakes, Road Sensing Suspension and an Integrated Chassis Control System.

Other important, innovative safety and security features include:

Standard Rainsense Wiper System-automatically activates the wipers in inclement weather when the switch is placed in auto delay mode.

Battery Storage Guard-a lowstorage battery system that can be set or will automatically go into effect if interior lights are left on or to shut down battery power when your car is parked for long periods of time.

Limp Home Feature-a "world first" security feature that keeps the engine operating without coolant for 50 miles at 50 mph so you're not stranded on the road.

Keyless Remote-a remote entry system that only opens the driver's door and also illuminates the interior for entry at night.

Cadillac Roadside Service-24hour roadside service and consumer relations hotline, courtesy transportation, trip-interruption protection, bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage with a first tuneup at 100,000 miles and a drive system that's maintenance-free for the life of the car.

I love sporty cars and I adore sport/uses, but after driving the STS both in California and Michigan, this will be my car of choice the next time "all I wanna do is have some fun."