Description:
When you ask buyers of large luxury sedans what they want in a vehicle, the No. 1 need is comfort--an attribute the 1998 DeVille owns in the areas of roominess, features and security.
"DeVille buyers tell us that physical comfort is very important to them," says Janet Eckhoff, DeVille brand manager. "DeVille's physical comforts include exceptional roominess, specially designed seats, dual zone climate control, and optional memory and personalization features for two drivers.
"But there's another, equally important type of comfort, and that's emotional comfort--peace of mind, if you will-which DeVille offers in the form of front side air bags, and available StablliTrak and OnStar," Eckhoff says.
StabiliTrak, Cadillac's exclusive stability control system, helps drivers maintain control of their DeVille on all roads, in all types of weather, especially during abrupt or emergency maneuvers. DeVille's standard front side air bags help reduce the chance of injury in a side impact collision, while OnStar offers myriad safety, security and convenience featured. Beyond comfort, DeVille offers a level of sophisticated performance and handling, with the 275-hp Northstar V8 engine, Magnasteer variable effort steering, traction control and anti-lock brakes.
For 1998, the optional radio receives a radio data system (IDS) feature, which provides a new level of convenience and safety by allowing broadcasters to transmit text and emergency messages along with the audio signal. Other radio features include an optional single slot CD player and THEFTLOCK, an automatic theft-deterrent system standard on all DeVille radios.
DeVille competes in the large luxury segment and has been the No. 1 selling luxury car in America for the past 12 years. Target DeVille buyers have a median age of 50+, with an average household income of $90,000.
EXTERIOR
Enhancing an already strong color palette, 1998 DeVille offers four new exterior colors for 1998: Baltic Blue,' a medium metallic blue with increased sparkle; Gold Firemist, a classic gold metallic; Moonstone, a gold and gray metallic; and Crimson Pearl, a premium process hotbed that replaces Cadillac's traditional Pearl Red. At the same time, Dark Cherry, Sea Mist Green and Pearl Red have been dropped.
INTERIOR
Inside, the 1998 Cadillac DeVille is a six-passenger sedan that offers innumerable comfort and convenience features with no compromise on interior or trunk space. With 116.8 cubic feet of interior room and 20 cubic feet of trunk space, the DeVille provides more passenger and storage space than the Lexus LS 400 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Two new interior color choices are added to DeVille for 1998: Camel (available in leather) and Pewter (available in cloth and leather).
Radio
Cadillac is the first domestic automaker to offer radio data system (RDS) technology, which is available on the optional Active Audio radio. RDS is a European-based technology that allows broadcasters to silently deliver a 1,200-bits-per-second data stream along with the audio content, opening up a wide variety of features to listeners, including:
Seeing the call letters of the station
Tuning by program type, e.g., top 40, jazz, country, etc.
Viewing song titles and artists' names
Hearing emergency broadcasts in situations 'in which the radio interrupts the CD or cassette player for traffic or emergency alerts
Checking pager messages
Viewing stock quotes, sports scores, directions, or other information
Synchronizing clocks width official radio time
Switching to alternate frequencies for continuous reception of network programming on long trips
RDS offers DeVille listeners many convenience and safety features. It will give additional information about the station using text displayed on the radio, for example, showing the call letters, station name, or the type of station it is, such as classical, news, or country.
Those who drive a lot will appreciate the traffic announcement function of RDS. When a traffic announcement is broadcast on the radio, passengers will hear it even if a CD or a cassette tape is playing. With RDS drivers can seek whatever program type they prefer such as news or classical.
A key safety feature of RDS is its alert system to let listeners know of impending local or national emergencies. While those currently are available via the emergency broadcasting system on regular radio, RDS goes one step further and will interrupt a CD or tape and broadcast the message. (For more information on RDS, please see the Innovative Technology tab.)
Another optional radio feature in 1998 is the weather band. The weather band allows customers to get National Weather Service reports 24 hours a day.
In addition, the DeVille in 1998 will offer a single-slot CD player, available on the optional radio. A 12-disc trunk-mounted CD changer is optional.
The DeVille radio in 1998 also features a Mute button, which silences the system when the button is pressed. When the button is pressed again, the sound returns.
In addition, DeVilles equipped with the memory feature offer home/away presets. In the past, the DeVille radio allowed both driver and driver 2 to select their own 18 (12 FM and six AM) radio station presets. In 155, both drivers can select their preferred radio stations outside their home area, such as in frequently traveled business or vacation areas.
For 1998, all DeVille radios are equipped with THEFTLOCK, which provides automatic theft deterrence for the radio by linking the vehicle. Identification number (YIN) of the vehicle to the radio.
NORTHSTAR SYSTEM
Northstar V8
The DeVille is equipped with the Northstar 4.6-liter 32-valve dual-overhead can V8 engine.
With 300 ft.-lbs. of torque 4400 rpm, this version of the Northstar offers strong low-end torque and quick acceleration off the line, achieving zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. The engine is rated at 275 horsepower at 5600 rpm, which allows drivers to safely perform passing maneuvers at speed. Its 30-mph to 70-mph time is 7.0 seconds. Coupled to a 3.11:1 final drive ratio, the 275-hp Northstar offers plenty of performance, while delivering an excellent EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Safety and personal security are important to DeVille owners, who will appreciate the Northstar's 100,000-mile durability and limp-home mode in case of total coolant loss. The Northstar's maintenance-free design requires no tune-ups--only changing the oil, oil filter and air filter--until the DeVille logs 100,000 miles. And in limp-home mode, the engine can operate on four cylinders at speeds of 50 mph for about 50 miles, giving the driver an opportunity to reach a safe location. The engine does this by alternately delivering fuel to four of the eight cylinders. The remaining four cylinders do not fire but continue to purl air, which cools the engine.
DeVille's 4T80 E transaxle is linked to the engine via a viscous converter clutch which assures smooth operation by reducing torque variation when the torque converter clutch is applied. The 4T80-E also features equal-length drive axles, which limit torque steer by minimizing angle differences from side to side as the car accelerates.
StabiliTrak
New for I 998, DeVille wilt offer StabiliTrak, a stability control system that improves the stability of the DeVille on all surfaces at all speeds. StabiliTrak will be offered as part of a safety/security option package, which also includes an electronic compass mirror, audible theft deterrent system and three-channel programmable garage door opener.
At the heart of StabiliTrak are two sensors--a yaw rate, sensor and lateral acceleration sensor--that work with the car's suspension, steering, ABS and traction control systems. StabiliTrak's sensors compare' the steering angle (where the driver wants the car to go) with feedback from wheel and directional sensors Where the car is actually going).
When the StabiliTrak system determines that the car is not going where the driver is steering-it, the StabiliTrak computer (which also controls ABS and traction control functions) sends a complex but extremely rapid series of directions to the vehicle's traction control and ABS brakes to help straighten the vehicle.
For example, if the car is starting to fishtail, StabiliTrak gently applies the outside front brake, which slows the vehicle and nudges the car's tail back line.
Magnasteer
Another integral part of the Northstar System, Magnasteer is a continuously variable, speed-sensitive steering system that is standard on the Seville.
Magnasteer varies the amount of steering effort in proportion to vehicle speed. Steering is easier at lower speed for maneuvering and parking ease. As vehicle speed increases, the steering effort also increases. At highway speeds, the amount of steering effort is increased to provide maximum stability' and control.
SAFETY
The 1998 DeVille, equipped with the safety/security option package, offers perhaps the most comprehensive safety package in the entire world.
Accident avoidance
StabiliTrak, which improves vehicle handling on all roads at all speeds, is particularly important in situations where the driver hits a patch of ice or is forced to do a quick maneuver to avoid a hazard in the roadway.
Other important accident avoidance features that are standard on DeVille include ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, a brake system with a dual master cylinder and warning light, electronic level control, all-speed traction control, daytime running lamps, Magnasteer, all-season tires, Twilight Sentinel and windshield wiper-activated headlamps.
Occupant protection
There are, of course, times when it's not possible to avoid an accident, such as when you are hit by another car. That's when DeVille's many occupant protection features come into play. In the area of occupant protection, DeVille offers standard front side air bags. The air bags are door mounted and designed to provide good protection with a relatively small-volume air bag, which helps control inflation force.
The bag is tall in the rear, where it helps protect the chest from contacting the B-pillar, and shorter in the front, where controlled deflection of the door panel can supplement the air bag. In addition, the unique shape of the bag helps protect the occupant, no matter where the occupant's seat is positioned.
DeVille also comes with Cadillac's exclusive Airbank system, designed to protect three front-seat occupants, front and rear crush zones, an energy-absorbing instrument panel and steering column, laminated windshield glass with urethane bonding, side-guard door beams, a steel safety cage and tempered safety glass on the side and rear windows.
Personal security
OnStar, an advanced cellular-based communications system, is an option on DeVille. When customers order the OnStar services package they receive a fixed cellular phone with two specific buttons for OnStar. Using Cadillac's sophisticated on-board electronics, OnStar brings Ma remarkable range of safety, security and convenience features to the driver, including automatic notification of front air bag deployment; remote door unlock; theft detection notification and stolen vehicle tracking; emergency services; and concierge services.
DeVille's personalization feature provides even more personal security. In past model years, drivers have been able to program their doors with three locking modes. For 1998, there are two new modes: all doors lock when shifting out of park and only the driver's door unlocks when the key is turned off; and all doors lock when shifting out of park and unlock when the key is turned off.
The remote keyless entry (RKE) fob also adds an additional feature for 1998: when the lock button is pressed, the horn will sound to verify that the doors have locked. Additionally, if the vehicle is equipped with the optional memory feature, when the vehicle is in reverse, the passenger-side mirror can be programmed to tilt downward, giving the driver a better view of the curb during parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse returns the mirror to its original position. |
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