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Cadillac Seville adds StabiliTrak and navigational systems
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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SUN CITY, Ariz. -- In this golfing community that sprawls for miles across the Sonoran desert, all of the palm-fringed residential streets seem to curve logically around a central hub. Yet these arteries can quickly lead the visiting motorist into a state of despair where you're hopelessly lost in golfer's paradise.
That's where one driver ended up while playing with the new Seville Touring Sedan, Cadillac's 4-door dream machine.
Losing my way in the maze of Sun City served as excuse to test the capabilities of OnStar, Cadillac's optional new navigation and communications system, which uses global positioning satellites to track the car's earthly position.
Tied to a hands-free cellular telephone, OnStar can dispatch emergency services when needed, unlock doors and sound the horn by remote linkage, or through connection to an operator at the OnStar control center provide turn-by-turn directions to guide the lost Cadillac driver to a desired destination.
"Help me -- I'm lost," is all I told the OnStar operator when an on-board cellular phone dialed the control center. Following a confirmation of my Seville's security code number, the operator checked a computer map and not only figured out in what city I was driving but also my street location. Then, after asking my destination, the operator plotted a course to take me there -- and stayed on the line as I proceeded through each on-course checkpoint.
Had the vehicle's airbags deployed in a collision, a special signal would automatically be sent to the OnStar control center so police and emergency teams could be dispatched to the accident.
For an ultimate test, I locked the ignition key inside my Seville, then again called OnStar from an alternate phone and delivered this plea: "Please unlock the doors."
As if by magic, the lock on driver's door popped up and I gained access.
The OnStar package, including voice-activated cellular telephone and steering wheel controls, adds $895 to the bottom line of Seville this year and requires a monthly fee for additional services. Yet it's the most comprehensive of all car navigational systems tested, particularly due to the instant telephone link to live OnStar personnel.
Leave it to Cadillac to devise a high-tech solution.
Of course, Cadillac has built a considerable reputation in recent years for its use of automotive electronic wizardry -- beginning in 1992 with the NorthStar powertrain for Seville and continuing this year with the advent of the StabiliTrak chassis control system.
StabiliTrak, Cadillac's exclusive new vehicle control system, shows up as standard equipment on Seville Touring Sedan, the sporty trim level of this mid-size machine, but it's available optionally on Seville Luxury Sedan.
This smart system integrates variable road-sensing suspension equipment with throttle response, traction control, anti-lock brakes, steering and other elements.
In effect, StabiliTrak thinks for an inattentive driver and can actually correct potentially disruptive skid or lateral movements automatically without needing a driver's skill to turn into a skid and work manually to prevent spin.
Seville's 4-door sedan shares this high-tech hardware and chassis with the Eldorado 2-door coupe, only Seville adds length to the wheelbase for a stable ride.
Seville Luxury Sedan provides every comfort and convenience item you may imagine, then sets suspension and steering mechanisms, plus transmission gear ratios, to produce plush, smooth ride qualities.
Seville Touring Sedan tunes the hardware to create a more lively platform geared for enthusiast drivers who enjoy trappings of luxury but also seek adrenaline thrills earned from hard cornering maneuvers and faster throttle action.
Both models pack Cadillac's NorthStar System, which goes beyond Seville's powerful V8 engine and unruffled transaxle to encompass electronically-controlled suspension, steering, braking and traction controls.
The NorthStar aluminum block engine, measuring 4.6 liters and outfitted with four camshafts, produces 275 hp for SLS, while specific tuning for STS increases the engine's output to 300 hp.
Step on it and you'll feel massive thrust, despite the bulk of nearly two tons of automotive machinery that stretches across 17 feet of pavement.
Fun comes from zipping to legal freeway speed in less than eight seconds.
From the cockpit, though, you won't hear this one roar because Seville packs significant sound-deadening materials to isolate noise and vibration in the engine compartment.
Press Seville STS into action, like I did during a recent series of Arizona desert tests, and it will quickly exceed expectations -- you simply would not suspect a refined luxury sedan like this could behave with such aggressive manners.
Independent suspension elements at all corners include Cadillac's road-sensing system with fast-acting variable dampers, integrated rotary sensors to measure body and wheel positional changes due to varying road conditions, plus the microprocessor which interprets sensor input before commanding dampers to adjust to different road surfaces.
And with StabiliTrak aboard, this Seville can correct and neutralize any self-inflicted poor driving habits.
Interior trimmings in premium leather and Zebrano wood for STS set the scene for driver-friendly power controls and supreme personal comfort, with room for up to five adults in a layout which installs two broad sport bucket seats up front and a bench in back that's sculpted for two but broad enough to accommodate three when desired.
All sorts of passive safety measures also show up on Seville now, such as steel reinforcements for the passenger compartment, two big airbags for front riders and easy-to-buckle 3-point safety belts.
Both Seville models also stock a remote keyless entry feature, central door unlocking and GM's Pass-Key II theft deterrent tool.
Sporty STS adds analog gauges, a shifter lever mounted on the floor, leather seating, fog lamps and R-rated rubber.
The 1997 Seville models feature price points discounted by several thousand dollars. List figure for SLS dips to $39,995 plus a $665 delivery fee, while the STS comes in around $45,000.
1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size luxury sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size luxury sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
111.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
204.1 inches
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| Engine Size: |
QOHC 4.6-L V8
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
17/26 mpg |
| Price: |
$ 40,660 to $ 47,000 |
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