Cadillac Seville

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Cadillac Seville
Manufacturer	Cadillac
Parent company	General Motors
Production	1975–2004
Predecessor	Cadillac Calais
Successor	Cadillac STS
Class	Mid-size luxury car
Similar	BMW 5 Series Lincoln Continental Mercedes-Benz 240D

The Cadillac Seville was a mid-size luxury sedan manufactured by the Cadillac division of American automaker General Motors from 1975 to 2004. The vehicle was traditionally second in the Cadillac lineup after the Deville and was more focused on performance than the larger Deville.

Contents 1 History 2 1956 3 Original concepts 4 1975 4.1 Engines 5 1980 5.1 Engines 6 1986 6.1 Engines 7 1992 7.1 Models 8 1998 8.1 Engines 9 References 10 External links

[edit] History

1950s
Production	1956–1960
Body style	2-door hardtop coupe 4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout

The Seville, introduced in 1975, was Cadillac's answer to the rising popularity of luxury imports in the US from Europe, such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Historically, these imported luxury cars had been cheaper, less luxurious and significantly smaller than Cadillacs, but over time they had evolved, and had become quite luxurious and even more expensive than competing Cadillacs, and yet the market share of these imports continued to climb. It became obvious that the traditional American automotive paradigm of "bigger equals better" was no longer in full effect in the marketplace. So, the Seville was to be simultaneously the smallest and the most expensive Cadillac in the lineup, turning Cadillac's traditional marketing and pricing strategy on its head.

[edit] 1956

The first use of the Seville name was on a hardtop version of the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Four Eldorado Seville 4-door hardtops were built in 1957, but it is the outlandish tailfins found on the 1959 model that are most remembered. 1960 was the last year for the Eldorado Seville.

[edit] Original concepts

Various names were considered for the proposed next generation Seville (1976). Resurrection of the LaSalle nameplate was seriously considered, but it was decided that given that LaSalle had been used for entry-level sub-Cadillacs in the past; it would create confusion in the marketplace among those who recollected the context of the names previous use.

[edit] 1975

First Generation
Production	1975–1979
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	K-body
Engine	350 in³ Oldsmobile V8 350 in³ oldsmobile diesel V8

Initially based on the rear-wheel drive X-body platform that underpinned the Chevrolet Nova (a unibody with a bolt-on subframe — this layout was common with both GM X and F bodies), the Seville's unibody and chassis were extensively re-engineered and upgraded from that humble origin and it was awarded the unique designation of "K-body". Cadillac stylists added a crisp, angular body that set the tone for GM styling for the next decade, along with a wide-track stance that gave the car a substantial, premium appearance.

Seville engineers chose the X-body platform instead of the German Opel Diplomat in response to GM's budget restrictions — GM executives felt that rebadging a German Opel would be more costly than the corporate X-car. Another proposal during the development of the Seville was a front-wheel drive layout similar to the Cadillac Eldorado. This proposal also met with budget concerns since the transaxle used for the Eldorado was produced on a limited basis solely for E-body (Eldorado/Toronado) production.

This was the first time Cadillac began engineering one of its vehicles based on a Chevrolet model. This trend continued with the Cimarron in 1982 and is repeated more recently with the Escalade and XLR.

Introduced in mid-1975 and billed as the new "internationally-sized" Cadillac, the Seville was almost 1,000 lb (450 kg) lighter than the hulking Deville; nimble, easy to park, attractive and loaded with the full complement of Cadillac gadgets. More expensive than every other Cadillac model at US$12,479, the Seville was a smash hit, and spawned several imitators, such as the less-than-successful Lincoln Versailles, and later the Chrysler LeBaron/Fifth Avenue.

The first Sevilles produced between April 1975 (a total of 16,355) to the close of the 1976 model year were the first Cadillacs to use the Chevrolet passenger car wheel bolt pattern (5 lugs with a 4.75 in bolt circle; the 2003-present XLR also uses the Chevrolet pattern). At first, the Sevilles were essentially a rebodied Chevrolet Nova down to the brakes. The rear drums measured 11 in and were similar to the ones used with the Chevrolet Nova 9C1 (police option) and A-body (Chevelle, Cutlass, Regal, LeMans) intermediate station wagons. Starting with the 1977 model year, production Sevilles used the larger 5 lug — 5 inch bolt circle common to full-size Cadillacs, Buicks, Oldsmobiles, Pontiacs, and 1/2 ton Chevrolet/GMC light trucks and vans. It also received rear disc brakes, a design which would surface a year later as an option on the F-body Pontiac Trans Am.

Under the hood went an Oldsmobile-sourced 350 in³ (5.7L) V8, fitted with Bendix/Bosch electronically controlled fuel injection. This system gave the Seville smooth drivability and performance that was usually lacking in other domestic cars of this early emissions control era. Power output was 180 hp, and performance was restrained with the 60 mph sprint taking 11.5 seconds. A diesel 350 in³(5.7 L) LF9 V8 was added in 1978, but that engine was known to be poor in both performance and reliability.

The Seville Cadillac was manufactured in Iran under the brand name of "Cadillac Iran" during 1970s and 1980s, by Pars Khodro, which was known as "Iran General Motors" in 1970s.

[edit] Engines

Year	Engine	Power
1975-1979	5.7 L Oldsmobile V8
1978-1979	5.7 L LF9 Diesel V8

[edit] 1980

Second Generation
Production	1980–1985
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	K-body

During 1980, GM changed the X-body platform to a smaller front wheel drive platform with a V6 as the largest available engine. Cadillac did not feel that this was a suitable platform for its premier sedan and switched the Seville to the 114 in wheelbase K-body platform, based on the front-wheel drive E-body Eldorado, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado. Returning to some of the original concepts floated for the 1975 edition, stylists created a graceful but controversial bustle-backed body intended to invoke Daimlers of a past era (though British Leyland were building cars with this feature even then), and engineers gave it front wheel drive and independent rear suspension. Again, this spawned stylistic imitators such as the Lincoln Continental and the 1981 Imperial.

In hip hop culture, this generation of Sevilles were known as "slantbacks", especially with the factory-optioned wire rims (known as "suicides" or "swangas").^{[citation needed]}

Sales were strong at first, but disastrous flirtations with diesel engines and the ill-fated V8-6-4 variable displacement gas engine, coupled with poor quality control and lackluster performance from by now severely detuned engines to meet ever more stringent CAFE standards began to erode the Seville's standing in the marketplace.

[edit] Engines

Year	Engine	Power
1980	6.0 L Cadillac V8	145 hp (108 kW)
1980-1985	5.7 L LF9 Diesel V8	105 hp (78 kW)
1981	6.0 L L62 V8-6-4 V8	145 hp (108 kW)
1981-1982	4.1 L Buick V6	125 hp (93 kW)
1982	4.1 L LT8 HT4100 V8	125 hp (93 kW)
1982-1985	4.1 L LT8 HT4100 V8	135 hp (101 kW)

[edit] 1986

Third Generation
Production	1986–1991
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	K-body
Engine	4.9L 200 hp V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	108 in
Length	190.8 in
Width	72 in
Height	53.2 in

In 1986, an all-new, much smaller body attempted to combine the crisp angularity of the original Seville with the rounded edges of the new aerodynamic aesthetic. The series featured a transverse mounted V8 driving the front wheels. The styling result was regarded as bland, and customers stayed away. Despite the lack of popularity, the new Seville/Eldorado chassis featured an advanced transmission and engine control system that offered amazing MPG figures of nearly 30 on the highway using a small fuel injected V8. The new model featured a worldwide production car first — a computer system that monitored the car's systems and the engine. The electronic dashboard using high intensity vacuum fluorescent displays was unique worldwide. The BCM/ECM (Body Computer Module/Engine Computer Module) utilized GM's expertise derived from the acquisition of Hughes Electronics, makers of communications and spy satellites. This expertise was later carried forward to many GM models and brands making GM the leader in cutting edge electronics for automotive use. Unfortunately, the new model was considered a disaster with sales way below expectations, and an exterior refresh was rushed for 1988. The 1986-1991 Seville/Eldorado chassis may have been ahead of its time. The big news that year was the introduction of the Seville Touring Sedan, henceforth known as the STS, which featured enhanced handling and styling.

[edit] Engines

Year	Engine	Power
1986–1987	4.1 L LT8 HT4100 V8	130 hp (97 kW)
1988–1989	4.5 L HT4500 V8	155 hp (115 kW)
1990	4.5 L LW2 HT4500 SFI V8	180 hp (134 kW)
1991	4.9 L L26 HT4900 SFI V8	200 hp (149 kW)

[edit] 1992

Fourth Generation
Production	1992–1997
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	K-body
Engine	4.6L 275 hp V8 4.6L 300 hp V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	110.0 in (2794 mm)
Length	204.4 in (5192 mm)
Width	74.4 in (1890 mm)
Height	54.0 in (1372 mm)
Curb weight	3689 lb (1673 kg)

For 1992, Cadillac delivered a new, much more European-flavored Seville with looks that attracted rave reviews as well as customers. The Seville Touring Sedan was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1992. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list that year.

The 1993 addition of the Northstar System, including the Northstar quad-cam 32-valve aluminum V8 and a new unequal-length control arm rear suspension to the STS helped put the Seville back on the best seller list.

The rear suspension previously featured a single transverse leaf spring like the Chevrolet Corvette. The wheelbase was back up to 111 in with a 203.9 in overall length.

The Seville was divided into two sub-models:

• The Seville Luxury Sedan (SLS) started with the 4.9 L HT-4900 V8 but got a 270 hp LD8 Northstar V8 for 1994
• The Seville Touring Sedan (STS) also started with the 4.9 L HT-4900 in 1992 but was upgraded to the 295 hp L37 Northstar in 1993

Pricing on both cars was over US$40,000.

In the film U.S. Marshals, Tommy Lee Jones commandeers a Seville STS.

[edit] Models

Model	Year	Engine	Power	Torque
Seville Luxury Sedan (SLS)	1992–1993	4.9 L HT-4900 V8	200 hp (149 kW)	275 ft·lbf (373 N·m)
	1994	4.6 L LD8 Northstar V8	270 hp (201 kW)	300 ft·lbf (407 N·m)
	1995–1997		275 hp (205 kW)	300 ft·lbf (407 N·m)
Seville Touring Sedan (STS)	1992	4.9 L HT-4900 V8	200 hp (149 kW)	275 ft·lbf (373 N·m)
	1993	4.6 L L37 Northstar V8	295 hp (220 kW)	290 ft·lbf (393 N·m)
	1994–1997		300 hp (224 kW) at 6000 rpm	295 ft·lbf (400 N·m) at 4400 rpm

[edit] 1998

Fifth Generation
Production	1998–2004
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	K-body
Engine	4.6L 275 hp V8 4.6L 300 hp V8
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.2 in
Length	201.0 in
Width	75.0 in
Height	55.7 in
Curb weight	3972 lb

The Seville was updated for 1998 on a new revision of the K-body platform based on Oldsmobile's G-body Aurora. In 1997, the Cadillac Catera took over from the Seville as Cadillac's small car. The wheelbase was up to 112.2 in but the overall length was down a bit to 201 in. The car looked similar to the outgoing fourth-generation model that was plagued by build quality problems, but was considered a leap forward and featured numerous suspension and driveablity improvements. The Seville STS (and companion Eldorado ETC) became the most powerful front wheel drive cars on the market at 300 hp (224 kW). The fully-loaded STS model delivered at an MSRP of $52,075.

That particular generation was the first Cadillac to be entirely engineered to be built in both left- and right-hand-drive form. (Catera didn't count as it started out as Opel Omega). In the past, the right-hand-drive Cadillac had been done with the CKD kits or special conversion kits shipped to the certain countries for local conversion. That generation was first modern Cadillac ever to be officially imported and sold in South Africa along with other right-hand-drive markets.

The cars got a new Magnaride adaptive suspension system in 2003. The fifth generation Seville was discontinued for 2004, replaced by the rear wheel drive Cadillac STS. Production of the front wheel drive Seville STS ended on May 16, 2003 and the SLS ended on December 5, 2003. All front wheel drive Sevilles were built in Hamtramck, Michigan.

[edit] Engines

Model	Year	Engine	Power	Torque
STS	1998–2004	4.6 L L37 Northstar V8	300 hp (224 kW) at 6000 rpm	295 ft·lbf (400 N·m) at 4400 rpm
SLS	1998–2001	4.6 L LD8 Northstar V8	275 hp (205 kW)	300 ft·lbf (407 N·m)
	2002–2004		275 hp (205 kW)	300 ft·lbf (407 N·m)

[edit] References

• Csaba Csere. "Cadillac STS". Car and Driver (February 1992): 45–51. 

[edit] External links

• Caddyinfo.com Cadillac Discussion and Technical Information
• Cadillac Seville Year by Year Changes

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