For a car brand that has catered to a generation of people who are gradually disappearing off the planet, this latest product, the Cadillac Seville STS (Seville Touring Sedan), is somewhat of a misfit. The coddling treatment is still there, with every conceivable comfort-making device known installed in the car. However, the floatiness has gone, the corner lean-over and the bloat have gone, and now there is enough power to scare the daylights out of many of our well-off geriatric citizens.

This is probably the best car Cadillac has ever made. That is not to say it doesn’t have its faults; it does. But they are not serious. The car just needs a little extra refinement to bring it into the Lexus, Mercedes, BMW and Infiniti league.

The most striking STS feature is what GM calls the Northstar system. This is essentially an ultra modern 300 hp, 4.6 liter, 32-valve, double overhead camshaft, all aluminum V-8 engine, smooth and unobtrusive motor and an aggressive tiger, with a subdued race car roar when accelerating hard (0-60 in 7 seconds). Unfortunately many of Cadillac's owners may never hear that great sound. — you have to want to go somewhere fast to get it.

Some subtle exterior changes for the 2000 model have given this car a shorter, tighter, more aggressive look which suits its personality well. It is a smaller car inside than one might expect from Cadillac, but still a full comfortable four-seater, with accommodation for an occasional fifth passenger. The trunk is average size.

The cabin is quiet, all the better to hear a little Mozart or Vivaldi. The optional Bose audio system sounds wonderful with all kinds of music. The automatic climate control is excellent, powerful and quiet, with lots of consideration for the rear passengers. Our domestic American car companies really do know how to heat and cool the inside of a car.

Driving on the freeway is a comfortable experience. The car is easy to steer, has a great leather- and wood-covered steering wheel , tracks well, has seats which automatically adjust and conform to your body shape and a road-sensing suspension that smoothes the bumps. When you've arrived at your destination after a long trip in this car you feel fresh and rested.

On city streets the STS is easy to maneuver, and although fairly big, it is pretty easy to park. On the twisty back roads of Nevada the STS is surprisingly agile and can be thrown into corners without fear of lean or slippage. Be wary of speed bumps however. The otherwise excellent suspension was obviously not designed with these in mind, since at any speed above 15 mph the front end whops up and down, sometimes scraping the ground at the bottom of a whop.

The four-wheel disc brakes can throw you into your seat belt, stopping this 4,000-pound car in a straight line and in a short distance.

The unique GM Onstar communication system is fun to play with, and under some circumstances can be very useful. Press a button at the bottom of the rear view mirror, the radio turns off and a voice says, "Welcome to the Onstar system," after which a live voice (from Michigan) greets you with your name and asks how they can assist. If you are lost just tell them (microphone built in), and through the GPS (Global Positioning System) they can pinpoint your location and guide you to your destination. They also can book you into hotels or nearby restaurants, and guide you there. If your call is one of trouble, or you hit a red emergency button located next to the Onstar button or if your airbags go off, the Michigan folks will send the nearest ambulances and police to your location. The Onstar system is free for the first year of ownership.

This $49,075 machine comes with a plethora of standard features. Aside from the usual power windows, doors and mirrors, the front seats are 14-way power adjustable with four-way power lumbar support. Four-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, fog lights, automatic leveling system, steering wheel, seat, air and radio memory system, one year of OnStar system, Bose radio/cassette system, leather seats, cruise, Stabilitrak and road-sensing suspension, prewired telephone system, traction control, automatic day/night mirror, garage door openers, aluminum wheels and rain sensing windshield wipers are all standard.

Available options include silver-coated aluminum wheels, high performance tires, "European Sport Suspension," "Select Shift" transmission, leather wrapped steering wheel, and engine oil cooler, all for $1,010, a moonroof for $1,005. AdvanceTrac traction control is $735, a voice activated portable cellular phone with the rescue system is $1,090, a 6- compact disc changer in dash or glove box is $605, an Alpine Audiophile radio system is $575, and heated front seats are $400.

EPA fuel consumption estimates are 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The average experienced during the test for this review was 20.6 mpg, not bad for a large V-8.

GM offers a four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty with 24 hour roadside assistance for the same period.

The Seville STS represents new thinking at old-fogey Cadillac and should attract younger buyers to their showrooms. Maybe not young buyers, but younger than the Cadillac average.

This is a fine automobile. Don't overlook it if you are spending $50,000 plus on a new car.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.