Thanks to its variable shock damping, the Concours suspension automaticallyfirms up in hard cornering, which helps to reduce body roll and sharpen
the car's responses.
The priority is still strongly weighted toward cushiony ride quality,
but it's a far cry from the flabby wallow that was a common trait of old-time
Caddies. Improvements to the variable assist power steering help out in
this respect, as do structural tweaks to the chassis, which enhance handling
and sound isolation.
As advanced as they are, Cadillac's stability enhancement systems wouldn't
be nearly as attractive if they weren't hustled along by lots of V8 engine
power. But they are, and hustle is the right word. The superb Northstar
V8, with 300 horsepower on tap in the Concours (275 in the other DeVilles)
can haul this big mama to 60 mph in just over seven seconds. And in normal
driving the Concours will deliver surprisingly good fuel economy for a
car that weighs more than a good many sport-utility vehicles.
We recorded 24 mpg during one mostly-rural run, and the EPA highway
rating is 26 mpg. But that presumes you'll be able to keep your right foot