While the 4-speed transaxle seamlessly replaces cogs, the fully independent suspension connecting the DTS to its wheels absorbs road
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com) |
roughness and degradation with poise and finesse; ride comfort is where Caddy's big sled shines. If I had to spend the entire day imprisoned in a moving automobile, the DTS might just be my choice of cell. This week's tester featured Cadillac's heated/ventilated, massaging front seats. Far cushier they were than seats likely to greet derrieres in premium-level European marques, but very supportive and infinitely adjustable nonetheless. Combining the DTS's seat nirvana with its creamy ride immerses one in a sort of automotive Shangri la. Add the monstrous sound of the Caddy's Bose audio unit to the ride and I'm set for transnational touring. Making life on the road as carefree as possible is another Cadillac specialty.
My tester wasn't equipped with the optional, voice-recognition
navigation system but it spoiled me just the same with a radar-based, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system that automatically maintains a preset distance from slower vehicles. When the slower vehicle is no longer impeding, the DTS resumes its preset speed. And yes, it works remarkably well, as does the Caddy's Intellibeam headlamp technology. Intellibeam automatically activates high and low beam illumination depending on environmental darkness and the detection of other light sources. So
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com) |
what's left except to do except steer the DTS and enjoy the sights while Johnny Cash laments his way through some of the best honky-tonk hurt ever.
Powering the DTS through tight bends and long sweepers is really quite a pleasure. This isn't anything close to a 7-Series Bimmer in the handling department- but it wasn't intended to be either. What did surprise me though was the tenacity of the DTS when pushed hard in a turn. Yes, body lean was a factor but unlike the luxo-cruisers of yesteryear, the DTS didn't rollover its front tires and plow its way through a curve while badly understeering. No, nothing of the sort actually. The DTS held its line fairly well in all cornering situations, although steering feedback was at best minimal. If sprier handling is on the wish list, the DTS can be equipped with Cadillac's highly advanced Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension, which adjusts up to 1,000 times per second to match road and driving conditions while pretty much eliminating body lean and sway while cornering.
Should one's motoring enthusiasm outstrip the DTS's ability to comply, its
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| (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com) |
StabiliTrak anti-skid program will step up to the plate using wheel-specific braking and engine modulation to restore order. While this sort of technology is very good at preventing lateral skids and the oft-impending loss of control, nothing beats common sense when it comes to occupant [link url="http://www.auto123.com/en/used-cars/safety-guide">safety. Unfortunately, as with politics, common sense doesn't always prevail behind the wheel. For those unintended occasions, the DTS is heavily laden with occupant protection, including frontal airbags, front-seat-mounted side impact airbags and front to back head curtain airbags.
