The Cadillac Fleetwood d'Elegance rested on a C-body platform with a 110.8-inch wheelbase which it shared with other C-body cars including the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight, Buick Electra, and DeVille. Once a separate model, Fleetwood became a trim option on the DeVille in 1986 and added luxury amenities including reclining comfort seats with six-way power passenger adjustment, a digital instrument panel, color-keyed power remote mirrors, and power trunk lid release. Styling elements included a formal cabriolet roof, opera lamps, wire wheels, and Fleetwood identification. The d'Elegance was an optional package that added deluxe carpeted floor mats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, walnut wood instrument panel and door trim plates, and d'Elegance identification.

Beneath the bonnet was a 249 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine with a cast iron block and head, 8.5:1 compression, fuel injection, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, 130 horsepower at 4,200 RPM, and 200 lb-feet of torque at 2,200 RPM. By 1988, the engine had grown to displace 273 cubic inches, had overhead valves, an aluminum block, cast iron cylinder liners, cast iron cylinder heads, roller hydraulic valve lifters, digital electronic fuel injection, 155 horsepower at 4,000 RPM, and 240 lb-feet at 2,8000 RPM. This new engine was twenty percent more powerful and ten percent larger than the previous engine, yet had nearly identical fuel economy ratings.

Both the 1988 DeVille and Fleetwood d'Elegance gained a computer-controlled electronic torque management system for the THM 400 automatic four-speed transmission, electronic cruise control, a tilt and telescope steering wheel, controlled cycle wiper system, heavy-duty battery, dual comfort front seat, and a revision suspension setup. There was also a new under-dash relay center and a higher-resolution internal speed sensor.

The 1988 DeVille was priced at $23,000 for the coupe and $23,400 for the sedan, while the Fleetwood d'Elegance four-door sedan listed for $28,025. Among the features bestowed upon the Fleetwood d'Elegance were a power trunk pulldown, illuminated entry system, illuminated vanity mirrors, trunk mat, rear window defogger, dimming sentinel, automatic door locks, memory seat, Delco-GM Bose symphony sound system, and Twilight Sentinel.

Both the DeVille and Fleetwood line were redesigned for the 1989 model year, with the Fleetwood gaining further distinction with fender skirts over the rear wheels.

by Dan Vaughan