Introduction

Cadillac's Eldorado is brilliantly fast, lavishly comfortable, and positively abuzz with gee-whiz electronic technology. It's also a two-door coupe, giving it all the personal style that the word implies. In fact, the Eldorado is the best-selling luxury prestige coupe in America.

Walkaround

The Cadillac Eldorado's lines are clean and spare. But it looks heavy. Its high beltline, huge C-pillar, bulky trunk and small, bunker-like windows convey an impression of enormous mass. The closer you get, the bigger it seems. And with a generous 108-inch wheelbase, and an overall length of 200.6 inches, the Eldorado's size is no illusion. The ETC version looks even more solid, thanks to its monochrome exterior. But the ETC's body-colored grille and bumpers do blend handsomely with the rest of its form.

Interior Features

The Eldorado's interior is large, elegant, and generous in its appointments. A beautifully sleek band of fine Zebrano wood trim encircles the driver and front-seat passenger. The dash is admirably simple and straightforward, with excellent analog instruments. The automatic twilight-sensing headlight system can be adjusted for sensitivity or switched off altogether. The steering wheel has two paddles, one that controls audio volume and station selection, the other controlling the climate system's temperature and fan level. The wheel adjusts up and down, but does not telescope fore and aft. A full multi-task trip computer is mounted on the dash above the console. It computes current cruising range, fuel efficiency, fuel used, average speed, elapsed time, battery voltage and percent of oil-life left, in either English or metric figures. Next to this computer are remote controls for opening the trunk and fuel door. A fine Bose AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo is standard on the ETC. The Bose system can be added to the ESC, along with a 12-disc remote CD changer in the trunk, as part of a $2,900 Luxury Package that also includes StabiliTrak stability control, woodgrain interior trim, and chrome wheels. The radio features a data system that will display the station, search for particular kinds of stations or look for traffic bulletins. It can even interrupt tapes and CDs with emergency information. The Eldorado's heating and air conditioning panel presents readouts for both interior and exterior ambient temperature. A toggle on the lower right allows the front passenger to select separate temperature settings. Rear-seat passengers get their own climate controls as well. Heated seats come on the ETC and they warm quickly, but we found even the lower of the two settings too hot for extended periods of time. They are at their best while waiting for the engine and heating system to warm up. The power outside mirrors automatically turn downward when Reverse is selected, a helpful assist for parking this large car. There is a compass in the rearview mirror, and our test car was furnished with an optional overhead garage-door opener ($107). Our Eldorado Touring Coupe's upholstery was gorgeous, glove-quality light-cream leather, and the power front seats adjusted twelve ways. Lateral support is average, but the four-way power lumbar adjustment is excellent. For safety, dual second-generation airbags are standard up front.