Showing posts with label Cadillac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cadillac. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

2011 Cadillac SRX Passenger Sensing System

General Motors has decided that certain 2011 model year Cadillac SRX vehicles equipped with a Passenger Sensing System (RPO AL0) fail to conform to the owner manual information required in Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. The owner manual states that the roof-rail airbags are not affected by the passenger sensing system (PSS); however, these vehicles are programmed to turn off the right roof-rail airbag in some crashes if the PSS senses the right front seat is not occupied. The roof-rail airbag will still deploy during a vehicle rollover. With this condition, the vehicle meets government standards for side impact protection but the right rear seating position may not have coverage of a roof-rail airbag in certain frontal and side crashes.

The SRX is the Cadillac of crossovers. A fusing of dramatic presence, advanced technology and flexible storage space, all crafted to the highest level of detail. Powered by an advanced direct-injected or available turbocharged engine, suspension options that deliver nimble road performance, and offering a handcrafted interior that pampers both driver and passengers, here is a new standard for luxury crossovers.

2011 Cadillac SRX
2011 Cadillac SRX

Adaptive Forward Lighting, an available feature, uses sensors to read speed and steering angle, and swivels high-intensity headlamps up to 15� to follow direction of travel. Front-wheel drive and optional advanced all-wheel drive with electronic limited slip differential are available configurations.  Chrome Accents. Just one of the many stylish touches that give the SRX Crossover a polished look. Nicely complemented by faceted
turn indicator lights.

Power liftgate with memory r height, an available feature, allows you to open the rear lift gate to any pre-programmed height, and close it, at the touch of a button. Vertical LED taillamps are energy-efficient, lasting up to ten times longer than traditional bulbs while providing enhanced illumination. Beyond function,
they�re also a signature Cadillac styling cue.

When it comes to the 2011 Cadillac SRX, performance means many things. Solid body structure and crouching stance. Responsive suspension tuning with available continuous damping that adjusts shock stiffness to road surface conditions. StabiliTrak electronic stability control that automatically engages braking and modulates engine power to help the driver stay on course. And an available advanced all-wheel drive system that employs an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD) which provides enhanced control while cornering.

2011 Cadillac SRX
2011 Cadillac SRX

Stance of the Cadillac SRX is wide, with minimal overhang and wheels pushed out to corners. The car seats five, offers generous passenger and cargo room, and can tow up to 3,500 lbs. Engine options include a 3.0L
direct injection V6, or an available 2.8L turbocharged V6 with ECO mode to alter transmission shift
points and maximize fuel efficiency. Direct injection technology, combined with Variable Valve Timing, delivers the perfect balance of impressive power and fuel efficiency. 6-speed automatic transmission incorporates Driver Shift Control, which allows smooth manual gear changes without the use of a clutch pedal.

Fully independent suspension is tuned to deliver smooth performance. An available sport suspension reads the road and adjusts damping forces every two milliseconds. ZF Servotronic 26 steering system , an available feature, provides quick-reacting hydraulic assistance for good on-center feel and responsive feedback.

Inside the 2011 SRX, advanced technology and craftsmanship come together like never before. This is a carefully handcrafted cabin, accented by exquisite French stitching, available Sapele wood trim, fingertip steering wheelmounted controls and available interior ambient lighting. And incorporating amenities like a Bose premium sound system, iPod connectivity, and an available hard drive with 10GB for music storage, glide-up touch screen navigation, and Bluetooth phone connectivity,3 makes the most of your driving experience.

An 8-speaker Bose sound ior system with USB interface, CD player and MP3 playback is standard. Also available is the 10-speaker Bose 5.1 surround sound system. Rear-seat DVD Entertainment System, an available feature, with dual seat-mounted flip-up 8 diagonal screens, wireless headphones and remote, provides diversion for passengers in back.

Cargo stows in bins, glove box and under floor. Rear seats fold flat to create 60 cuft of space in back. Available U-rail with adjustable fence helps manage cargo. Sapele wood trim and supple leather seating surfaces, both available features, add elegance and blend with leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and polished chrome accents. Rearview camera, an available feature, is viewable via an LCD screen in the rearview mirror or on the navigation screen, when equipped. Bluetooth, an available feature, is activated by a steering wheel button and voice recognition, allowing hands-free mobile phone use.

UltraView sunroof, an available feature, spans front and rear seats and features a sliding glass panel and power sunshade. The Driver Information Center displays running data speed, direction, distance, fuel use, oil level, tire pressure and more in high-resolution color. Memory settings option recalls settings for two drivers, including driver�s seat position, adjustable pedals, outside mirrors and other personal preferences. Glide-up navigation and entertainment system, an available feature, combines 3D color imaging, voice guidance, and 10GB hard drive for music storage.

Integrated iPod connectivity. Control your iPod1 or MP3 device with steering wheel-mounted controls. And know what�s playing with music info on the radio or navigation display, if equipped. Keyless access , an available feature, allows convenient passive vehicle entry. Once programmed, the remote unlocks all five doors when carried near the vehicle and locks them as you walk away.

The Cadillac SRX has an abundance of technology, all aimed at improving driver experience. And as one moves up through the Luxury, Performance and Premium Collections available equipment evolves. From a standard, full-color Driver Information Center offering multiple status and warning messages, to an available turbocharged engine that delivers thrilling throttle response, to entertainment and navigation upgrades that combine surround sound, iPod1 connectivity, pause-and-play live radio, even a rearview backup camera no technical stone is left unturned.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Luxury Concept Engine

The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, the marque's lowest-priced luxury car, was originally offered only as a four door sedan. In 2009, Cadillac added a Sport Wagon. For the 2011 model year, a coupe is on the way. Like the CTS sedan and CTS wagon, the coupe will be offered with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Unlike the sedan, the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe will be a 2+2, meaning room for four with cramped quarters in back.

The Cadillac CTS-V Coupe shares the same platform as the sedan, but the only shared components will be the instrument panel, center console, headlights, front fenders and grille. CTS Coupe and sedan ride on the same wheelbase, but the coupe is two inches lower and two inches shorter. The CTS coupe was developed as a proposal for the future of Cadillac's Art and Science design philosophy at the company's design studio. It debuted as a concept car at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and is set to be released in the spring of 2010.

Unique exterior design elements are many. Most notable are the nearly horizontal rear glass, the windshield, which is laid back at a more extreme angle, and the hardtop styling that lacks center B-pillars. Instead of door handles, the doors are opened by touchpads. The front and rear fascia are unique to the coupe, with brake cooling vents up front and mesh lower grilles and center exhaust outlets in the rear. The rear spoiler is integrated into the center high-mounted stop light, and the taillights feature LEDs.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

The base engine in the CTS coupe will be a direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 making 304 horsepower and delivering 27 mpg on the highway on unleaded gasoline. The standard transmission will be a six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic with manual shift capability through steering wheel buttons will be optional. The suspension will feature an independent short/long arm geometry up front and a multi-link independent rear suspension mounted on an isolated subframe. Customers will be able to choose either a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires or a Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch wheels. A limited-slip differential will be standard.

Inside, the CTS coupe will have hand-sewn accents on the doors, center console and instrument panel. Recaro sport seats with 14-way adjustments will be offered. Available technologies will include iPod/MP3 capability, a 40-gigabyte hard drive to hold music files, apop-up navigation system, adaptive headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a Bose 5.1 surround sound audio system.

Due in the summer of 2010 is the CTS-V coupe. Like the CTS-V sedan, it will be motivated by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque. The CTS-V will be offered with a choice of Tremec six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic, the latter with steering wheel shift buttons. Cadillac claims the CTS-V coupe will be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Interior

On the outside, the Cadillac CTS-V coupe will have a unique grille that doubles air intake volume. To clear the supercharger, the center section of the hood will be raised. The front and rear fascia will also be unique, and the rear track will be one inch wider.

The same Magnetic Ride Control system from the sedan will be used by the coupe. Magnetic Ride Control employs adjustable shocks that use a magnetic fluid to react to the road on a constant basis. An electrical charge makes the shocks firmer during cornering, and removing that charge softens them up during straight line driving so they can better deal with bumps. The coupe will also get large Brembo brakes and standard Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires on 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Cadillac CTS-V coupe will feature microfiber material on the steering wheel, seat inserts, and shifter. The Recarro sport seats from the base coupe will also be optional, as will a new Saffron interior color option.

2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon Luxury Concept

If you are looking for a car to take the kids to Yellowstone Park or six friends to a tag team wrestling match, then the 2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon is not your car. However, if you want a highperformance vehicle that is sleek in design with a luminous interior that defines quality and elegance, the adillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon should be your choice. Vertical taillamps extend along the tailgate; integrated roof rails maintain a seamless profile. Rear seats fold down flat, increasing cargo space to 1,642 litres. Also included is an under-floor cargo storage compartment, while a useful power liftgate offers memory height positioning. My wife loved this feature as she filled the back and trunk with Christmas toys for the grandkids.

Altogether, the adillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon offers rear- or all-wheel sport handling, a luxurious interior, and versatile cargo capacity in one complete package. The Stabilitrak electronicstability control system and traction control enhance the suspension geometry of the adillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon. Two engines are offered in this model: a 270-HP 3.0L direct-injection V6 or a 3.6L direct-injection V6 that delivers 304 HP. My test vehicle had the 304-HP engine.

2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon

2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon
The CTS Sport Wagon interior is a wonder. You find motorcycle inspired gauges with a Drive Information Centre that displays vehicle-running data. Features include glide-up touch-screen navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity, Bose 5.1 surround sound system, and a hard drive for music storage. French-stitched leather seating surface, sapele wood trim, keyless start, ambient lighting, heated steering wheel, and rearview camera system are additional interior features.

Passenger safety is a primary consideration throughout the engineering process. A strong unit body is structured around you, front and rear crash zones help absorb forces, and comprehensive use of high-strength steel help channel energy away from the passenger compartment in the event of an impact. OnStar Automatic Crash Response is activated automatically in the event of an accident. The CTS Sport Wagon has a total of six airbags for your safety. It has dual-stage frontal airbags and seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger. In addition, head-curtain, side-impact airbags mounted on the roof rail help protect both front and outboard rear passengers in the event of a side impact.

2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon
2011 Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon Interior

Cadillac offers one of the best luxury coverage policies in the industry with its 5-year/160,000-km transferable powertrain limited warranty with no deductibles, plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. One of the features I liked best about the Cadillac CTS V6 Sport Wagon was the ability to use the rear-view mirror and not be blocked by the headrests atop the backseats. Somehow Cadillac engineers have managed to accomplish something I have not seen on another car: Provide head safety for rear passengers, but not at the expense of a blocked rear window.

The CTS V6 Sport Wagon comes in nine exterior colours and six interior tones. My vehicle had radiant silver outside colour and a light titanium interior.

The fuel economy estimate was 11.8 L/100 km city and 7.5 L/100 km highway. Yet, I got much less than the estimated average, even factoring in how the actual consumption really depends on how you drive. U.S. government safety ratings were all 4 or 5 Star. I liked the fact that the car was assembled in the United States at Lansing, Michigan. The base 1SF package vehicle price was $50,760. The 1SH package model adds a
power moonroof, a wood-trim package, and other luxury items, bumping up the MSRP to $59,680.

Monday, July 4, 2011

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe and CTS Sport Sedan

Cadillac today unveiled the 2011 CTS Coupe, the latest and most dramatic of the brand�s series of new designs to reach production. Slated to arrive in Cadillac showrooms in the spring of 2010, the Cadillac CTS Coupe is a new luxury sports coupe designed to become the centerpiece of the brand�s revised lineup. �2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe is the new focal point of Cadillac, expressing both our technical and design capabilities,� said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. �It is intended to appeal to a new generation of car enthusiasts.�

The Cadillac CTS Coupe joins the Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan, the 556-horsepower (415 kW) Cadillac CTS-V and new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon as the foundation of Cadillac�s lineup. A high-performance V-Series edition of the Coupe will also be released in 2010. The CTS Coupe�s design carries over virtually unchanged from the concept car that was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2008. The CTS Coupe is a classic 2+2 layout bolstered with advanced technology, such as a rear-view camera system and a performance-oriented suspension system coupled to rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe


Design
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe emerged as a proposal inside Cadillac�s dedicated design studio, where designers develop and evolve the brand�s Art and Science design philosophy. �Cadillac has always been an emotional brand  it�s about delivering art regardless of body style,� said Max Wolff, director of exterior design for Cadillac. �With the CTS Coupe, it was about taking something very strong the CTS Sport Sedan and extending its potential.�

The Cadillac CTS coupe has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately two inches (51 mm) lower and an overall length that is two inches (51 mm) shorter. Although it draws from its sport sedan sister, the CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille.

Key design features include:
- Classic hardtop styling, with no conventional B-pillar
- Touch-pad operation for the doors removes the need for conventional door handles, creating a technical, clean profile
- A windshield laid at a faster angle (62.3 degrees) and a long, nearly horizontal backglass area combine to create a dramatic profile 
- Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents 
- Rear fascia with mesh lower grilles
- Center-outlet exhaust with twin dihedral-shaped tips that pass through the rear fascia 
- Signature vertical lighting, highlighted with LED light pipes 
- Rear spoiler integrated into the signature center high-mounted stop lamp 
- Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar and XM Satellite Radio.



2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

At first glance, the shape of Cadillac CTS Coupe is refreshingly simple, yet amplified with intricately carved details. Distinctive and original Cadillac signature cues combine with hand-sculpted forms, artfully articulating the confidence of the chassis. For example, the rear fenders were purposefully developed by hand in Cadillac design studios to visually acknowledge the RWD powertrain. The gestured profile, coupled with Cadillac�s vertical taillamps and pronounced rear centerline, aim to achieve the most visually confident coupe in the segment.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

Performance
The CTS Coupe extends Cadillac�s emerging performance credentials. The CTS Coupe�s standard powertrain consists of a direct injected 3.6L V-6 and six-speed manual transmission. Direct injection technology delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion, enabling more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions  including a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. The 3.6L DI engine is rated at 304 horsepower (227 kW) and offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 mpg on the highway. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline.

The powertrain�s performance is channeled through a chassis that delivers sports car performance without punishment. The hardware includes an independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system, with hydraulic control arm front bushings; and a multi-link rear suspension mounted on a fully isolated subframe. Also included are four-wheel disc performance brakes, premium steering and limited-slip differential.

Two suspension-tuning levels are available: a Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both RWD and AWD,) and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road holding capability. StabiliTrak, the advanced electronic chassis control system, is standard.

The 304-horsepower (227 kW) 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection engine will be standard, equipped with a six-speed manual, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. A 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons) is optional.

Technology
Cadillac CTS Coupe blends handcrafted luxury with a contemporary, driver-focused interior that supports the car�s high-performance capabilities. The interior includes hand-sewn accents covering the door, center storage console and instrument panel trim. 14-Way adjustable Recaro sport seats, previously exclusively offered on Cadillac�s V-Series model, will be offered on all Cadillac CTS Coupe models as an option.

The car offers a host of customer driven technologies, including: Integrated iPod/MP3 capability, 40-gig hard drive, including the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio, Pop-up navigation system. Adaptive forward lighting system. Bluetooth connectivity. Standard Keyless Access and Smart Remote Start. Rear Camera system and Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround� audio system.

As with other Cadillac models, the Cadillac CTS Coupe comes standard with OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.

The new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Prices MSRP  $38,365 - $49,110

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Base RWD                  $38,365
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Base AWD                  $40,265
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Performance RWD     $42,805
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Performance AWD     $44,705
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Premium RWD           $47,210
2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Premium AWD           $49,110

2011 Cadillac STS New Performance

The  new 2011 Cadillac STS is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, available in 3 trims, ranging from the V6 Luxury Sport to the V6 Premium Package. The Cadillac STS (Seville Touring Sedan is a full-size luxury sports sedan / executive car manufactured and sold by Cadillac. Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V6, 302-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. That car used the STS name, standing for Seville Touring Sedan on upscale performance-oriented versions beginning in 1988. In 1992, Cadillac split the Seville line into STS and less performance-oriented SLS (for Seville Luxury Sedan) trim lines. The next year, the 2011 STS got Cadillac's then-new Northstar System, including the aluminium DOHC L37 Northstar V8 engine. Throughout its existence, the STS was Cadillac's highest-priced sedan. Worldwide, the Cadillac STS is Cadillac's flagship model. In the United States and Canada, the STS is positioned between the mid-size CTS and larger DTS, but is priced above the latter.

2011 Cadillac STS
2011 Cadillac STS

It�s there in the dramatic lines. It�s evident in every detail. The 2011 Cadillac STS stands firmly on the line that blurs performance and sophistication. With a standard 302hp 3.6L direct injection V6 for power, available ZF Servotronic 21 steering that allows precise high-speed cornering, highperformance suppression that minimizes engine noise and available 18 chrome wheels and Brembo brakes, it�s the perfect union of performance and sophistication. Performance Handling Package, including 18 chrome wheels, performance tires and Brembo brakes, is available. ZF Servotronic 21 steering, an available feature, delivers precise high-speed cornering, while high-performance sound suppression minimizes engine noise and vibration. taillamp design is a Cadillac signature, and clearly visible to following drivers. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with IntelliBeam are available to automatically adjust from high- to low-beam and back, to enhance visibility.

2011 Cadillac STS
2011 Cadillac STS Interior

Inside the Cadillac STS, awaits a world all your own. Keyless access, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and available driver memory settings greet you properly from the start. Standard OnStar one-year Directions & Connections Plan, eNav and a 3-month trial of XM Radio are included. Heated and ventilated front seats, polished Sapele wood trim, Bluetooth phone connectivity,4 navigation and a Bose 5.1 Studio Surround sound system are all available to further orchestrate your personal reception.

Adaptive Remote Start activates the engine, climate control, defroster and optional heated or ventilated front seats for the utmost convenience. Bose 5.1 Studio Surround sound system, an available feature, offers Centerpoint signal processing and AudioPilot noise compensation technology. 8-way power-adjustable front seats and articulating head restraints, with an available heated and ventilated option, make for a
comfortable ride. Driver Awareness Package, an available feature, offers Side Blind Zone Alert,1 Lane Departure Warning and 4-color Head-Up Display issuing visual and/or audible alerts when necessary. The  Cadillac STS Platinum features Tuscany full-leather seats, Olive Ash wood trim with Saddle stain, Alcantara luxury ultra-microfiber upper trim, a luxurious leather-wrapped interior, premium floor mats, 18 chrome wheels, and Platinum-specific door sill plates.

2011 Cadillac STS Prices MSRP $47,280 - $56,380

2011 Cadillac STS V6 Luxury Sport             $47,280
2011 Cadillac STS V6 Luxury Package        $50,820
2011 Cadillac STS V6 Premium Package     $56,380

New 2011 Cadillac Escalade White ESV Platinum Edition SUV

MECHANICAL of New 2011 Cadillac Escalade White ESV Platinum Edition SUV
Read more �

Saturday, May 28, 2011

2011 Final Cadillac DTS

2011 Final Cadillac DTS
Famed Italian car collector (and luxury products retailer) Nicola Bulgari owns no much less than 14 Cadillacs, ranging from historic beauties like a 1932 355B V12 Fleetwood Limousine to contemporary marvels like the 2009 CTS-V sedan and 2010 CTS Activity Wagon. Now, Bulgari has extra a 15th Caddy to his assortment: the extremely last DTS sedan to roll off GM's Detroit assembly lines.
Read more �

Monday, May 16, 2011

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

Elegant Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon WIth Newest Design

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Side View

Exotic Dark Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon With Beautiful Lighting Model

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Steering Whels

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Baggage

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Interior View

Luxury Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon On The Road

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Engine Detail

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

Elegant Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon WIth Newest Design

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Side View

Exotic Dark Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon With Beautiful Lighting Model

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Steering Whels

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Baggage

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Interior View

Luxury Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon On The Road

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Engine Detail

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Cadillac Eldorado

The Eldorado model was part of the Cadillac line from 1953 to 2002. The Cadillac Eldorado was the longest running American personal luxury car as it was the only one sold after the 1999 model year. Its main competitors included the Lincoln Mark Series and the lower-priced Buick Riviera. Although cars bearing the name varied considerably in bodystyle and mechanical layout during this long period, the Eldorado models were always near the top of the Cadillac line. Nevertheless, and except for the Eldorado Brougham models of 1957�1960, the most expensive models were always the opulent, long wheel-based Series 75 sedans and limousines, not the Eldorado. The name was proposed for a special show car built in 1952 to mark Cadillac's Golden Anniversary; it was the result of in-house competition won by Mary-Ann Marini (n�e Zukosky ), a secretary in the company's merchandising department. Another source, Palm Springs Life magazine, attributes the name to a resort destination in California's Coachella Valley that was a favorite of General Motors executives. However, the Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells, California was not founded until 1957 - five years after Cadillac's naming competition. In any case, the name was adopted by the company for a new, limited-edition convertible that was added to the line in 1953. The name Eldorado was derived from the Spanish words "el dorado", "the gilded one" or "the golden one"; the name was given originally to the legendary chief or "cacique" of a South American Indian tribe. Legend has it that his followers would sprinkle his body with gold dust on ceremonial occasions and he would wash it off again by diving into a lake. The name more frequently refers to a legendary city of fabulous riches, somewhere in South America, that inspired many European expeditions, including one to the Orinoco by England's Sir Walter Raleigh.


1982 Cadillac Eldorado Diesel start & run

Unlike the Fleetwood and de Ville models, Eldorado didn't have a unique luxury package to provide it with a title change (such as the "d'Elegance" package). This was rectified in mid-year 1976 with the Biarritz package. The most unique feature of Biarritz, a name that hadn't been used since 1963, (the Fleetwood designation was used for all Eldorados produced from 1964 through late 1976) was a brushed stainless steel roof covering the front passenger compartment for model years 1979-1985. This was a styling cue reminiscent of the 1957/58 Eldorado Brougham. The rear half of the roof was covered with a heavily padded landau vinyl top accented with large "opera" lights. The interior featured "pillowed"-style, ("tufted") velour or leather seating, with contrasting piping, along with an array of other options available. For example, the 1978 Biarritz option packages consisted of the Eldorado Custom Biarritz ($1,865.00); w/Astroroof ($2,946.00); w/Sunroof ($2,746.00) and Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic ($2,466.00); w/Astroroof ($3,547.00); w/Sunroof ($3,347.00). For the 1978 Eldorado model year only, there were 2,000 Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classics produced in Two-Tone Arizona Beige/Demitasse Brown consisting of 1,499 with no Astroroofs or no Sunroofs; 475 with Astroroofs; 25 with Sunroofs and only One (1) was produced with Power Sliding T-Tops. The Biarritz option stayed with the Eldorado through the 1991 model year. Some of the original styling cues vanished after the 1985 model year, such as the brushed stainless steel roofing and the interior seating designs, but Biarritz remained unique just the same.

Cadillac Eldorado Interior

Cadillac Eldorado Show Up

The 1978 Cadillac Eldorado was the only American luxury car in its class (or any car class) to be offered with Power Sliding T-Tops that folded neatly inside the center-front roof. In this regard, only seven 1978 Cadillac Eldorados were known to have been produced with Power Sliding T-Tops customized and manufactured by American Sunroof Company under the direction of General Motor�s Cadillac Motor Division. There are seven known 1978 Cadillac Eldorados with Power Sliding T-Tops remaining: One (1) Black Eldorado Cabriolet; One (1) Carmine Red Eldorado Cabriolet; One (1) Cotillion White Eldorado Cabriolet; One (1) Colonial Yellow Eldorado Custom Biarritz; Two (2) Cotillion White Eldorado Custom Biarritz and One (1) Two-Tone Arizona Beige/Demitasse Brown Eldorado Custom Biarritz Classic.For 1986, yet another downsizing occurred, and it was fairly extreme. Eldorado lost about 16" in length, and some 350 pounds in weight. Convertible models were gone. As was the case in previous years, Eldorado shared its chassis with the Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera, as well as Eldorado's four-door companion, the Cadillac Seville. However, the coupes from Buick and Oldsmobile both utilized Buick's 3.8 liter V6 engine, while Cadillac continued to use their exclusive 4.1 liter V8. The $24,251 Eldorado was now the same size that GM's own compact cars had been only a few years earlier, and considerably smaller than Lincoln's competing Mark VII. Its styling seemed stubby, and in a final unfortunate flourish, for the first time the Eldorado abandoned its "hardtop" heritage and featured framed door glass. News reports later indicated that GM had been led astray by a consultant's prediction that gasoline would be at $3 per gallon in the U.S. by 1986, and that small luxury cars would be in demand. In fact, gasoline prices were less than half that. With a sales drop of 60%, seldom has any model experienced a more precipitous fall. Production was only about a fifth of what it had been just two years earlier.Although a touring suspension option had been available on Eldorado since 1980, there was an Eldorado Touring Coupe model introduced in mid-1982, and continued through 1985. In 1990, the Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC), the 2-door version of the Seville Touring Sedan (STS), re-appeared. The car had a special handling and suspension package, quicker steering than the standard Eldorado, and a higher final drive ratio of 3.33:1 in contrast to the base model's 2.97:1. Badging was restricted to ETC badges on both C-pillars, a Cadillac crest on the grille along with the Cadillac script logo and a special "Cadillac Motor Car Company" badge on the trunk, which it shared with the STS. Available in Sable Black, Cotillion White, Medium Slate Gray Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic (Dark Blue), and Crimson (Bright Red), all with a special beechwood interior. An additional color, Polo Green Metallic, was added for '91. The driver's outside rearview mirror held glass with a blue-tint to reduce glare from following vehicles. The model also featured body-colored door handles, wider side rocker panels, an additional marker lamp behind the rear wheel well, and dual rectangular exhausts. The international-theme tail lights, which were Touring Coupe specific, featured a distinct split-style with "amber above red" lenses.Eldorado Touring Coupe production for 1990 was 1,507, with an additional 2,249 in 1991.

Super Sport Car Evolution