1995 Cadillac DeVille Concours Luxury with a bite By Professional Test Driver, New Car Test Drive .com

A TV commercial from the go-go '80s once told us that we could have it all - that we need not feel compelled to pick between comfort and excitement.

And that ethic seems to be at the heart of the Cadillac DeVille Concours.

When it made its debut in 1994, the Concours (pronounced kahn' kor) combined Cadillac's market-tested luxury appointments with the muscular Northstar powertrain. Cadillac seemed to be telling its traditional buyers - mostly middle-aged and older - that they could still ensconce themselves in Cadillac-style luxury without completely forgoing the speed-demon impulses of youth. Evidently, that message struck a chord, as the Concours accounted for 30 percent of all DeVille sales in '94.

The '95 Concours offers a bevy of luxury and performance features as standard equipment - most notably, the aforementioned Northstar engine. In the Eldorado Touring Coupe and Seville Touring Sedan (STS), the Northstar is powered by 300 horses. In the Concours, however, the 4.6-liter DOHC V8 is a bit tamer - yielding 275 hp (five more than in '94) and 300 lb.-ft.

The Concours' performance is enhanced by standard equipment such as a 4-speed electronic transaxle, speed-sensitive steering, road-sensing suspension, full-speed traction control, anti-lock brakes and a new-for-'95 Integrated Chassis Control System (ICCS). The ICCS is designed to shorten straight-line stopping distance, stabilize the brakes during high-speed turns and level out the traction control system in tight, low-speed maneuvers.

Also standard on the Concours are cast aluminum wheels, dual airbags, remote keyless entry, flash-to-pass feature, rear-door child safety locks, leather seats, electronic climate control, two-position memory driver's seat, interior Zebrano wood appliques, 12-way power seats, illuminated front and rear vanity mirrors and stereo cassette player with 11 speakers.

Our test model had a base price of $39,400 and came equipped with the following options: chrome wheels, premium sound system with CD player, PASS-Key II theft-deterrent system, heated front seats and electronic compass. These options boosted the MSRP to $42,141.