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Almost since its inception, the Cadillac image has been that of a big, rear- wheel drive motor car that was synonymous with luxury and the good life.

For 1997, this continues in the form of a new DeVille, the d’Elegance model.

There are, however, a few deviations from the traditional rear- drive Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham sedans of the past.

The new d’Elegance is a front-wheel drive, and is shorter than the Fleetwood, which was the largest mass-produced sedan in the United States.

“It was a horse,” said Tutwiler Cadillac’s sales manager Dave Moll of the phased-out Brougham. “It never quit running, but it just doesn’t pass 1997 federal regulations.”

The 1997 DeVille d’Elegance not only conforms to regulations but has been designed to appeal to those Cadillac owners who favor full-sized sedans and attendant luxury features.

“There have been Cadillac d’Elegance models before,” said Dave Watts, new car sales manager for Lockhart Cadillac. “So they’re bringing it back. It’s designed for upscale buyers who want lots of room.”

As the ultimate in luxury travel, the d’Elegance benefits from major enhancements to the 1997 DeVille models. This takes in a restyled exterior and interior, as well as extensive updates to the body structure, suspension and brakes.

The d’Elegance is styled for a more contemporary look than was possessed by the Fleetwood. Sharing styling cues with the standard DeVille, the exterior updates included redesigned front fenders, fascia and hood, restyled rear fenders, and open rear wheel wells.

Special ornamentation

With a flair for doing something that will turn heads, Cadillac has given the d’Elegance special gold tone ornamentation.

Starting at the front, a new egg-crate grille is styled rearward so it flows flushly into the hood. And the powerdome of the hood is raised to emphasize the four-cam, 32-valve Northstar V-8 engine beneath it.

A very noticeable change to the DeVille profile is the opening up of the rear wheelwells and pulling the wheels out 10 millimeters on each side.

Like the Fleetwood Brougham, the d’Elegance, with its 113.8 inches of wheelbase and 209.7 inches of overall length, is a six- seater.

Driver and passengers are ensconced in all the comfort and conveniences applicable to a sedan. Zebrano wood highlights the interior trim, and an added touch includes rear vanity mirrors.

There also is a new instrument panel pad and new climate control outlets with a touch of chrome. New seat-shaped, door-mounted seat controls make seat adjustment easier.

Several programmable features allow owners to personalize their individual preferences.

Clever lights

Examples include automatic door locks that allow the driver to select which door or doors will lock or unlock when shifting into or out of Park.

For added nighttime security, high-beam headlight and parking lights turn on while the driver is unlocking the car. There also is an upgraded anti-lockout feature that will keep drivers from inadvertently locking their keys in the car.

New suspension

Cadillac has re-engineered the suspension system for the d’Elegance to take advantage of an enhanced body structure that is stiffer and has a more solid feel.

The brakes have been extensively revised to improve stopping distances. Like all DeVille models, the d’Elegance is powered by Cadillac’s 4.6-liter (279 cubic inches) Northstar V-8.

The engine produces 275- horsepower and 300 foot-pounds of torque, good for accelerating 4,009 pounds of motor from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.8 seconds. Top speed for the luxury sedan is rated at 112 miles per hour.

Cadillac believes that d’Elegance buyers are not of the heavy foot contingency, and hence doesn’t offer the car as a flying machine.

For the heavy-footed driver, there is the 300-horsepower DeVille Concours, which has a top speed of 130 mph.

The Concours is the five-passenger sports sedan variety of the DeVille model s. While still r egarded as a DeVille, it is designed to be something of a kissing cousin to the Cadillac STS and, as such, is the most expensive DeVille at $41,995. The base on the d’Elegance is $39,995.