2001 Cadillac Seville

Vehicle Overview
New telematics features and a sport suspension package for the STS model are the main additions for the Seville, Cadillac’s flagship sedan.

The new Infotainment option provides voice-operated services such as navigation assistance and downloading e-mail from the Internet (and having it read aloud). The package includes hardware for docking a cellular phone that can be operated by voice or keypad, an infrared port for personal digital assistants and a voice memo recorder.

The e-mail and Web-browsing capabilities, which are disabled while the car is moving, will be test marketed in several areas to determine if there is sufficient demand to offer it nationally.

OnStar is standard on all Cadillac models and includes emergency services and assistance in finding destinations. Two premium services will be added later in the model year. These services include “personal calling,” which allows hands-free, voice-activated calls from the car without an additional cellular phone contract, and “virtual advisor,” which provides Internet-based information such as headlines, sports scores, stock quotes and weather conditions, also through voice activation.

The sport package for the STS includes 17-inch wheels and tires (16-inchers are standard) and firmer suspension settings.

Exterior
With an overall length of 201 inches, the front-drive Seville is 6 inches shorter than the DeVille. The Seville is smaller because it is Cadillac’s key export model, and most European garages can hold cars that are a little over 5 meters long.

Interior
Front buckets are standard on both the SLS (Seville Luxury Sedan) and STS (Seville Touring Sedan) models and can be equipped with Cadillac’s adaptive seating feature. Ten air cells in the upholstery change pressure about every 4 minutes to adapt the seat to the occupant and the way the passengers are sitting.

A navigation system with a 5-inch color display in the dashboard and touch-screen controls also is optional on both Seville models.

Under the Hood
Both models use a 4.6-liter V-8, but this engine comes two ways. It produces 275 horsepower in the SLS and 300 hp in the STS. Both can operate on regular gasoline, though Cadillac recommends premium gas for best performance and economy. A four-speed automatic transmission comes with both engines.

Safety
Side-impact airbags for the front seats, antilock brakes, traction control and StabiliTrak — a lateral-skid control system — are standard on both Seville models.

General Motors had planned to add a suppression system last year that would turn off the front passenger-side airbag if the seat was empty or occupied by a small child. However, GM withdrew those plans because the system was not reliable in testing.