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Driving Impressions
The Continental delivers on the promise of comfort, ride quality and good handling. And we can't leave out performance. The 32-valve V8 has plenty of power to move this 3,868-pound sedan with some authority. Merging on to the freeway is easy and there's plenty of power in reserve for passing on two-lane roads. The Cadillac Seville has an edge in the power department, however, with 300 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. The Continental is a big car, but it doesn't feel heavy, unwieldy or sloppy on the road. And while it is roomy inside, the design of the instrument panel, the real wood accents, and the leather work together to provide an intimate interior that we found most pleasant. The semi-active suspension with adjustable ride should appeal to owners who want more control and driving excitement. On the highway we preferred the firm setting for a more controlled feel. In the plush setting, swales in the road, gentle undulations set up a porpoising action, but for low-speeds on rough roads the plush setting absorbed the bumps and thumps nicely. Adjusting the steering effort between high and low effort is most noticeable in tight maneuvering, such as turning into a driveway. On the highway, the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering automatically increases steering effort for improved road feel. Overall, the Continental's drive feel is not as taught as a BMW or Mercedes. It's tuned toward traditional American tastes. The adjustable steering and suspension are an attempt to let an owner dial in some European feel.
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