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The Cadillac Seville was a mid-size luxury sedan manufactured by General Motors' Cadillac division 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.
[] History
1950s
Production: 1956–1960
Body style: 2-door hardtop coupe
4-door sedan
Platform: FR
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.
[] 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.
[] 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.
[] 1975
First Generation
1978 Cadillac Seville
Production: 1975–1979
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: FR K-body
Initially based on the rear-wheel drive GM 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 only Cadillacs to use the Chevrolet passenger car wheel bolt pattern (5 lugs with a 4.75 in bolt circle). 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.
[] Engines
Year Engine Power
1975-1979 5.7 L Oldsmobile V8
1978-1979 5.7 L LF9 Diesel V8
[] 1980
Second Generation
1984 Cadillac Seville Elegante.
Production: 1980–1985
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: FF 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, 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").
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, began to erode the Seville's standing in the marketplace.
[] 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)
[] 1986
Third Generation
Production: 1986–1991
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: FF K-body
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.
[] 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)
[] 1992
Fourth Generation
Production: 1992–1997
Body style: 4-door sedan
Platform: FF K-body
Wheelbase: 110.0 in (2794 mm)
Length: 203.9 in (5179 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
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