A replacement for Cadillac's sporty flagship sedan could arrive as early as 2003. But meanwhile, the Seville carries on with some important improvements. During the 2002 model year, the Seville will get a next-generation MagneRide system to ease the driving experience even further. Replacing the car’s continuously variable road-sensing suspension system, MagneRide responds in 1 millisecond and is claimed to be 10 times faster than current systems on the market.
An advanced DVD-based navigation system is available, and an XM satellite radio arrives later in the season. The Seville wears revised Cadillac wreath-and-crest badging and gets an extended oil-change interval (beyond the typical three months or 3,000 miles).

Serving as Cadillac’s primary export model, the front-drive Seville is 201 inches long, which is 6 inches shorter than the DeVille. Cadillac purposely keeps the Seville’s body smaller partly because it is the company’s main export model, and most European garages cannot hold a larger vehicle. The SLS (Seville Luxury Sedan) comes with a 275-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 engine, while the STS (Seville Touring Sedan) gets a 300-hp version of that engine. A Sport Package for the STS includes 17-inch tires rather than the standard 16-inchers, along with a firmer suspension.

The STS features optional voice-operated services such as navigation assistance, downloading and listening to e-mail, and serving as an infrared port for Palm Pilots and other personal digital assistants. As a safety feature, Web-browsing and e-mail capabilities do not function unless the car is stopped.

Exterior
Not much has changed in the Seville’s overall appearance since its last redesign for the 1998 model year. Prior to its redesign, the Seville shared the same platform and basic construction as the Eldorado coupe. Unlike the rounded appearance of the DeVille, the redesigned Seville has a more angular profile.

The Seville rides on a 112.2-inch wheelbase and measures 201 inches long overall, which is 6 inches shorter than the DeVille. The Seville is 75 inches wide and less than 56 inches tall.

Interior
The Seville accommodates five passengers. Front bucket seats are standard and can be equipped with Cadillac’s adaptive seating system. Ten air cells in the upholstery change pressure every 4 minutes or so to adapt the seat to its occupant and the way the passenger is sitting.

A navigation system with touchscreen controls and a 5-inch color display screen in the dashboard are optional. GM’s OnStar communication system is standard and offers two premium services. The Personal Calling system permits hands-free, voice-activated calls from the car without an additional cellular phone contract. And Virtual Advisor, another voice-activated system, provides Internet-based information such as news headlines, sports scores, stock quotes and weather conditions.

Under the Hood
The Seville’s 4.6-liter Northstar V-8 engine comes in two different ratings. It produces 275 hp in the SLS, while a 300-hp version goes into the STS. Both engines can run on regular fuel, but Cadillac recommends premium gasoline for the best performance and fuel economy. Each engine works with a four-speed-automatic transmission.

Safety
Both Seville models have antilock brakes, traction control and side-impact airbags for the front seats. StabiliTrak, GM’s electronic stability system, is also standard.

Driving Impressions
The Seville has long been considered the sportier-handling Cadillac. A brief drive in a Seville equipped with the latest MagneRide system confirms the sport sedan’s road-going credentials. Without impairing handling talents in any perceptible way, MagneRide yields a supremely satisfying highway experience — not quite as cushiony or gentle, but about as smooth as one can expect in an automobile that delivers such impressive control on the road.

With either engine, the Seville driver needs just a tap on the throttle to unleash vigorous responses, aided by a smooth-shifting automatic transmission. This car is loaded with technological extras that don’t diminish the car’s basic attributes.