Cars - Cadillac Seville

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	Cars - Cadillac Seville

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. But it has long been Cadillac's entry-level car until 1996, except during the era of the Cadillac Cimarron (1982-1988).

History

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 coupé version of the 1956 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Four Eldorado Seville sedans were built in 1957, but it was the outlandish tailfins found on the 1959 model that are most-remembered. 1960 was the last year for the Eldorado Seville.

Original concepts

The prototypes pictured below show the various styling directions explored by Cadillac prior to the final version that debuted in 1975. Various names for the proposed vehicle were explored as well. Resurrection of the LaSalle marque 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.

1976

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 based one of its vehicles 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 compliment 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.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Cadillac Seville ]

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Cars - Cadillac Seville

History

1956

Original concepts

1976

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