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Manufacturer Brochure -1998 Cadillac De Villed Elegance
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| DEVILLE D'ELEGANCE OFFERS BUYERS THE ULTIMATE IN TRADITIONAL LUXURY OVERVIEW |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:15:08 |
| Rating |
 136 ( -14 -10.29% ) |
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Description:
The DeVille d'Elegance model, which was introduced last year, has quickly filled a niche with buyers looking for the ultimate in traditional luxury.
Almost 20 percent of all DeVille sales are from this model, which in 1998 gets further enhancements in safety, security, comfort and convenience.
In 1998, d'Elegance will offer the most comprehensive safety package in the industry, a combination of StabiliTrak, standard front side air bags and OnStar.
StabiliTrak, Cadillac's exclusive stability control system, helps drivers maintain control of their car on all roads, in all types of weather; especially during abrupt or emergency maneuvers. DeVille d'Elegance's standard side air bags help reduce the chance of injury in a side impact collision, while OnStar offers myriad safety, security and convenience features.
"The d'Elegance customer is our traditional luxury customer," says Janet Eckhoff, DeVille brand manager. "They are looking for the best of DeVille, and the ultimate in traditional luxury, safety and performance."
"But Cadillac doesn't believe that traditional styling-and comfort have to be accompanied by traditional technology," Eckhoff says. "DeVille d'Elegance gives our most traditional customers the performance and security of the Northstar System."
DeVille d'Elegance offers traditional buyers a host of standard features, including Zebrano wood, rear vanity minors, a premium audio system, Cadillac's exclusive Rainsense wipers, chrome wheels and subtle geld ornamentation. D'Elegance also offers the class-leading performance of Cadillac's 275-hp-Northstar V8, Magnasteer, traction control and ABS.
For 1998, the radio receives an optional radio data system (RDS) 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 a single-slot CD player and THEFTLOCK, an automatic theft-deterrent system.
D'Elegance competes in the large luxury segment. Target customers are 60 to 70 years old. Some are still employed in managerial, professional or entrepreneurial careers, but many have reduced workloads or have retired.
They are attracted to d'Elegance's roominess, comfort and traditional design cues.
EXTERIOR
Enhancing an already strong color palette, 1998 DeVille d'Elegance 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 hot red 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 d'Elegance is a six-passenger sedan that offers innumerable comfort and convenience features with no compromise on interior or trunk room. Two new interior Nuance leather color choices are added for 1998: Camel and Pewter.
Radio
Cadillac is the first domestic automaker to offer radio data system (RDS) technology, which is available oaths optional radio. ELDS 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 fin 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 with official radio time
Switching to alternate frequencies: for continuous reception of network programming oh long trips
RDS offers- DeVille d'Elegance listeners a variety of convenience and safety features. RDS station 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 commute regularly 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.
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.
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.
The 1998 DeVille d'Elegance will offer a single-slot CD player, while a 12-disc trunk-mounted CD changer continues to be an option. DeVille d'Elegance's standard radio in 1998 also features a mute button, which silences the system when the button is pressed. When the button impressed again, the sound returns.
In addition, Elegance offers home/away presets. In the past, the radio allowed' both driver 1' and'4river 2 t6 select their own 18 (12 FM and six AM) radio station presets. In 1998, both drivers can select their preferred radio stations outside their home area, such as in frequently traveled vacation areas.
For 1998, all radios available in the d'Elegance are equipped with THEFTLOCK, which provides automatic theft deterrence for the radio by linking the radio to the vehicle identification number. As a result, the radio will only work in the original vehicle.
NORTHSTAR SYSTEM
Northstar V8
The d'Elegance is equipped with the Northstar 4.6-liter overhead cam V8 engine. With 300 ft.-lbs. of torque at 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 d'Elegance owners, who travel frequently and 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 d'Elegance 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 pump air, which cools the engine.
D'Elegance'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 1998, d'Elegance will offer StabiliTrak, a stability control system that improves the stability of the d'Elegance 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.
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 arid 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 into line.
Magnasteer
Another integral part of the Northstar System, Magnasteer is a continuously variable, speed sensitive steering system that is standard on the DeVille d'Elegance. 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 steeping effort also increases. At highway speeds, the amount of steering effort is increased to provide maximum stability and control.
SAFETY
The 1998 d'Elegance, with the safety/security option package, offers the most comprehensive safety package in the entire world--a package unmatched by any other traditional luxury car.
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 d'Elegance 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, Rainsense windshield wiper system, all-season tiles, Twilight Sentinel and windshield wiper-activated headlamps.
Occupant protection
There are times, of course, when it's not possible to avoid an accident, such as when you are hit by another car. That's when d'Elegance's many occupant protection features come into play.
In the area of occupant protection, DeVille d'Elegance 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.
D'Elegance also offers 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 d'Elegance. 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 a 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.
D'Elegance's personalization feature also brings added 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 unlock 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 door have locked. Additionally, 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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