By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
The Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) is the best domestic luxury coupe.
The revised interior for 1996 makes the best even better. The controls are conveniently placed and easier to use; including new controls on the steering wheel for the HVAC and stereo systems. A melodious Bose sound system with a trunk-mounted 12 compact disc changer is featured in the ETC. Our test car had leather seats and both the driver and passenger had 12 different directional controls and heating elements.
The Cadillac ETC was filled with many more amenities. Safety systems included powerful anti-lock brakes, traction control, daytime running lights and dual airbags for front passengers. I mention powerful ABS because the ETC is a weighty car at 3801 pounds.
Motivating that girth is the NorthStar system. The NorthStar V8 in our test ETC had 300 hp and 295lb/ft of torque; enough to get from standing still to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds. Not only is the engine in the ETC quick, but so is the steering. Featuring a new for 1996 power rack and pinion, speed sensitive steering gear ratio, the ETC is tight to say the least. One other test driver remarked that turn-in seems tighter than his own Camaro Z28.
Cadillac has always been known for traditional styling and the ETC is no exception. The styling of the ETC is one of elegance with an upright stance, the large bold C-pillar and, of course, the egg-crate grille upfront. All of this elegance was covered in a special optional paint; White Diamond, my personal favorite choice on this car.
Further enhancing the luxury appeal of our test car were the optional chrome rims, beautiful, shiny and expensive (watch out when parking those wheels near a curb). Other functional features in our test Eldorado Touring Coupe were keyless entry, theft deterrent system, power heated exterior mirrors and power trunk pull-down (gimmick) just in case you can't close the trunk by yourself.
Cadillac and the EPA put gas mileage figures at 17 city and 26 highway but I enjoyed the power of the NorthStar V8. During the week of testing I only got 15 mpg.
For a total price as tested of $47,418 no other domestic luxury coupe delivers the style, handling and performance the way the Cadillac ETC does, making it the best domestic luxury coupe.