Both are designed to be virtually maintenance-free and boast 100,000-mile tuneup intervals. For instance, its 0-to-60 mph time of 8. And for those whose eyes grow weary of the cathode glow of these brightly hued digits, a turn of the display knob will fade out everything save for the speedometer reading. When attempting to appeal to a broader segment with the DeVille Concours, Cadillac hedged its bets by not going too far afield; hence the blocky hind quarters, downsized Northstar engine and slight steering drift. Although Cadillac occupants enjoy definite advantages in leg- and shoulder room, Lincoln passengers aren't likely to voice too many complaints about feeling cramped. Each engine is paired with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transaxle.
The Northstar System is standard equipment on the Cadillac Seville sedans and Eldorado coupes, intended as upscale import fighters. Each sedan's power front seats earned high praise for comfort and adjustability, although lateral support was in short supply. Also on board: vehicle-speed-variable power rack-and-pinion steering and auto-leveling. In addition to customizing the steering and ride characteristics, one can preselect outside mirror and seat positions, radio stations, auto door-locking routines, and more, simply by punching a few buttons. The Cappuccino Cream-colored perforated leather seats are plush and cozy, and the heated-seat option ensures a toasty ride on a cold night.
In the Concours, however, the 4. As might be expected of even a well-behaved two-ton front-drive luxury sedan, the standard cornering sequence involves a transition from neutral tracking on entry to moderate push as the turn tightens or g forces rise. Another parallel: Both vehicles employ an integrated-systems approach to suspension and powertrain technologies-Northstar in the Cadillac, InTech in the Lincoln. Empirical handling tests proved a bit of a tossup. This advantage continued on through the quarter mile, with the Cadillac posting a 15. Instrumented acceleration testing confirmed our seat-of-the-pants assessments. American luxury cars, once the acknowledged symbols of success, became less desirable for younger wealthy buyers.
Heading the list is a new free-flowing thermoplastic intake manifold and revised fuel rails that raise the pony count by five to 275 horsepower at 5600 rpm. It is meant to appeal to a broader age range of buyers than the basic DeVille, particularly younger ones, as well as to those who now have an imported luxury car. In place of conventional coils, however, the Lincoln has air springs with electronically adjustable dampers and adds a variable-ratio dimension to its speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering. Both cars are adept at keeping their tails in line under trailing throttle or braking, and exhibit only the barest hint of torque steer. The Lincoln's ancillary readouts also are more legible. Tuneups are required only at 100,000 mile intervals because the computer controls and platinum plugs keep the engine clean.
A close match for the Northstar in smoothness and responsiveness, the InTech develops 260 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 265 pound-feet of torque at 4750 rpm. The Cadillac's angularity and the Lincoln's softer exterior contours carry over to their interior treatments. When underway the Concours delivers a very quiet ride with excellent all-around vision. Other peace- of-mind items are Pass-Key, Anti-Lockout, Automatic Locking and Remote Keyless Entry. Stopping power proved quite respectable in both cars.
As befits a luxury car, the Concours' interior is outfitted in leather with wood trim. Both cars are available in a six-passenger configuration. And once in position, you can choose from a wide array of seat position options on the door armrest — not to mention the power-mirror switch, the four power-window buttons and the power door and rear-window lock. Power is delivered to the front wheels by four-speed Hydra-matic transmission and controlled by a computerized engine module. We found overall instrument design and layout is better in the Continental.
In deference to modern styling sensibilities, there is little bright chrome. Not only are the Lincoln's electronic virtual-image analog gauges easier to read day and night, they're far less prone than the Cadillac's digital counterparts to disappear in those pesky over-the-shoulder sunlight conditions. When the speed was upped to 60 mph, the Continental's distance increased to 128 feet, the Concours' to 134. This sophisticated system is computer-managed and uses the best combination of the automatic damping, the speed-dependent power steering and full-speed traction control systems to insure a precisely-controlled ride in a variety of weather and road surface conditions. This sleek stretch of metal is so expansive that you could get out the high-backed chairs and serve Thanksgiving dinner to an entire family — the Corleone family. And during a bracing 65-to-85 mph push in a passing situation, the Northstar engine engaged with authority, emitting a full-throated roar that was like music to our ears. Cadillac's familiar Northstar receives several tweaks for '95.
Staff opinion was split on the location of secondary switchgear, with a slight edge again going to the Continental. But buyers willing to trade sheer firepower in return for a more contemporary package may well find the Lincoln Continental more appealing. But visual variations notwithstanding, each makes good use of supple leather and real wood trim to enhance the upscale ambiance. They include side door beams, front and rear crush zones, steel safety cage construction, dual airbags, and height-adjustable front shoulder straps. The Concours lost points for the awkward location of its on-board computer and ventilation controls, which require reaching around the steering wheel to operate them. For both cars, the designers took great pains to eliminate sources of drag and turbulence, so wind noise seldom rises above a whisper, even at elevated freeway speeds.
Well, here's a pair of state-of-the-art American heavy cruisers that will help allay those fears. Cadillac maintained a more traditional look with the Concours; Lincoln dialed more aerodynamic flair into the Continental's sheetmetal-enough to have it win the battle of the drag coefficients by a 0. Motivating force in both of these stellar four-doors are 4. Okay, so you've finally arrived; midlife crisis is a thing of the past and a six-figure annual income is a thing of the present. The interior of this yacht seems roomy enough for a quick game; meanwhile, the panoramic windshield appears vast enough to allow for the proverbial thousand-mile stare.
Summary To most, a high-performance 6-passenger luxury sedan probably sounds like an oxymoron. In straight-line work, the superior power and torque of the Northstar V-8 pushed the Concours from 0-60 mph in a brisk 6. The contoured bench seats are firmer than might be expected, and very comfortable. In fact, a few times on the freeway, we took our eyes off the road for a second or two and found ourselves travelling in whatever direction we were gazing in. The Concours is designed to combine the benefits of modern technology with traditional Cadillac style, spaciousness, and comfort.