2001 Cadillac Eldorado

Eldorado Moves to Lansing

After 15 years at the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Center, Eldorado production moves to the Lansing Craft Centre in Lansing, Mich., to concentrate on improving assembly and quality.

The Cadillac Eldorado continues to be the best-selling prestige luxury coupe in the Únited States, by moving to Lansing, the manufacturing process becomes more efficient.

The Detroit-Hamtramck plant currently builds the DeVille, Seville and Buick LeSabre. By separating the Eldorado production, GM simplifies the product mix, achieving a better balance between available facilities and market demand. The move creates more than 250 job openings in Lansing.

While the 2001 Eldorado is the most advanced and responsive ever, it adheres to a philosophy that has been a hallmark of Eldorado from the beginning: Eldorado is for those who have accomplished on their own terms and those who proudly display their strong sense of individuality.

Offering both 275- and 300-horsepower variants, the 4.6-liter aluminum 32-valve Northstar V8 remains the heart of Eldorado. The engine was redesigned in 2000 resulting in significantly lower emissions, quieter operation (without losing the 'pleasing' performance that has long been a signature of the engine), and better fuel economy running on regular unleaded fuel. (concept carz) The 2000 engine featured an all-new head design, new intake manifolds, coil-on-plug ignition and rolling cam runners to reduce friction.

Eldorado also gets new services from OnStar for 2001 – OnStar's new Personal Calling capability and OnStar Virtual Advisor.

In 2000, Cadillac made OnStar standard in each of its models. For '01, OnStar will offer two additional services: Personal Calling, which allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated personal calls from their vehicles without an additional cellular contract; and OnStar Virtual Advisor, which will deliver to the vehicle personalized Internet-based information such as news headlines, sports scores, stock quotes and weather conditions. Both services will be available through OnStar's unique three-button system, offering completely hands-free operation.

'This is yet another example of Cadillac's and General Motors' commitment to giving customers first-in-the-world advanced technology,' said Michael J. O'Malley, Cadillac general manager.

Further demonstrating a commitment to the legendary Eldorado brand and its customers, Cadillac introduced an Eldorado Touring Coupe in 1999 with monochromatic exterior ornamentation.

The monochromatic ETC's exterior provides Eldorado with a fresh look more in line with its target consumers. Úpdates included body color inserts on side and fascia moldings replacing chrome inserts; a new seven-spoke wheel with a Cadillac wreath and crest center cap; new P235/60HR 16-inch tires; and a new ETC decklid.

EXTERIOR In addition to the ETC's fresh new look for 2000, the Eldorado's bold exterior styling is enhanced by the following exterior colors: Crimson Pearl, White Diamond, Sable, Black, Sterling, Cashmere, and new for '01 - Sequoia.

INTERIOR


Sound System

The up-level Bose® entertainment system is standard on the ETC and remains an option on the Eldorado. The system includes radio data system (RDS) technology, which allows the radio to receive digital data transmitted along with the standard radio signal. This information can include station call letters, program format, the name of the song and the artist playing and other useful information.

RDS also makes it easier to find traffic and emergency information. RDS also permits Eldorado and ETC buyers to personalize their radio to provide them whatever information they want, whether it's viewing stock quotes or searching for jazz stations.

Commuters will appreciate the traffic announcement function of RDS. When the traffic announcement feature is turned on, the radio looks for a station that broadcasts traffic reports. This feature enables the radio to temporarily interrupt the audio program, including CD and cassette tape, with updated traffic conditions.

A key safety feature of RDS is its alert system that will even interrupt a CD or tape to let listeners know of impending local or national emergencies.

Another feature of the radio is the weather band, which allows customers to get National Weather Service reports 24 hours a day.

The renowned Bose speaker system and a single-slot compact disc player are standard with the ETC sound system and available on the up-level Eldorado sound system. A 12-disc trunk-mounted CD changer is optional on both.

All radios also feature a mute button, which silences the system when the button is pressed. The sound returns when the button is pressed again.

The ETC, as well as Eldorados equipped with the memory feature, offer home/away presets. Two drivers can each select their preferred radio stations outside their home area, such as in frequently traveled business or vacation areas.

All Eldorado and ETC radios are equipped with Theftlock™, which provides automatic theft deterrence for the radio. If the radio is removed from the car, it won't work in any other vehicle unless the vehicle identification number (VIN) is cleared. This can only be done by a dealership using a special tool. Once the VIN is scribed into the radio, the radio can be traced.

The Eldorado features Cadillac's widely praised Northstar System, which can include a powerful dual overhead cam V8 engine with the StabiliTrak™ stability control system, continuously variable road-sensing suspension, all-speed traction control, ABS and Magnasteer™ steering. Northstar V8 In 2000 Eldorado received the next step in modern engine design in the form of an improved Northstar V8. While the basic engine architecture remained a predominantly aluminum 4.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8, major design improvements have been incorporated to deliver lower emissions, excellent mileage with regular unleaded fuel and smoother, quieter operation.

One result of these improvements is that the Eldorado is certified for sale in California and certain Northeast states as a low emissions vehicle (LEV). This was achieved by means of a reaction-heated catalyst, pistons with reduced crevice volume and a new combustion chamber design.

Revised combustion chambers are superior to previous designs in terms of both tumble motion of the incoming fuel-air mixture and burn rate. The intake and exhaust valves have been resized. The larger intake valves improve the engine's breathing ability, while the smaller exhaust valves increase flow velocity to aid catalyst light-off.

While the combustion chamber design helps maximize fuel efficiency, even larger gains are made by the roller-follower devices between each cam lobe and valve stem. Compared to the previous Northstar's direct valve actuation, the result is a substantial reduction in friction. During moderate driving conditions, the torque necessary to turn Northstar's four camshafts is reduced by 50 percent or more.

The Eldorado's fuel recommendation changes from premium (93 octane, lead-free ) to regular unleaded, resulting in a major reduction in operating expense. To facilitate this, the Northstar's compression ratio was lowered from 10.3:1 to 10.0:1.

The Northstar also benefits from an improved ignition system that delivers power to the spark plugs directly instead of through wiring. In addition to improved reliability, the ignition system permits scheduling the magnitude of the voltage sent to the spark plugs. High voltage is used during full-load, high rpm and heavy EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) conditions to guarantee complete combustion. The energy level is reduced to minimize electrical loads and radio frequency interference during light-load conditions, such as medium speed cruising. The result is extended spark-plug life and a peak energy capacity that is 130 percent higher than the system it replaced.

Northstar's powertrain control module is a single circuit board device housed within a sealed aluminum case engineered to withstand the harsh underhood environment. The module contains dual microprocessors to monitor and direct engine and transmission operations.

Noise and vibration improvements are the result of adopting a center-feed design for the composite-plastic intake manifold, as opposed to the previous end-feed design. The design facilitates a near equal-length induction path for all eight cylinders. With the reduction or elimination of many harmonic tones, the resulting induction sound is more of a hum.

A molded-plastic cover backed with acoustical foam rests above the intake manifold to reduce induction, fuel-injector and other noises radiated by the engine. Direct mounting of accessories eliminates flex and vibration inherent with extra brackets. A flexible connection in the exhaust system en route to the catalyst helps quell another source of noise and harshness.

Outstanding Power, Torque

The 4.6-liter dual-overhead-camshaft Northstar V8 installed in the Eldorado generates 275 horsepower (205 kW) at 5600 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. (407 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm. The sportier ETC is retuned to produce 300 horsepower (224 kW) at 6000 rpm and 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) of torque at 4400 rpm.

The Northstar engines offer 100,000-mile (160,900-kilometer) durability and limp-home mode in case of total coolant loss. The Northstar's maintenance-free design can go up to 100,000 miles before the first scheduled tune-up — only changing the oil, oil filter and air filter is required in the interim. In limp-home mode, the engine can operate on four cylinders at speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h) for about 50 miles (80 km), giving the driver an opportunity to reach a safe location. The engine accomplishes this by alternately delivering fuel to four of the eight cylinders. The remaining four cylinders do not fire but continue to pump air, which cools the engine.

On both ETC and Eldorado, the 4T80-E transaxle is linked to the engine via a viscous converter clutch, which assures smooth operation by reducing torque variation when the torque converter clutch is applied. The 4T80-E also features equal-length drive axles, which limit torque steer by minimizing angle differences from side to side as the car accelerates.

STABILITRAK™


StabiliTrak will continue to be offered as standard equipment on the ETC and a stand-alone option on Eldorado.

StabiliTrak is a stability control system that improves the stability of the vehicle on all surfaces at all speeds. At the heart of StabiliTrak are two sensors — a yaw rate sensor and lateral acceleration sensor — that work with the car's suspension, steering, ABS and traction control systems.

StabiliTrak's computer compares the steering angle (where the driver wants the car to go) with feedback from yaw rate and lateral sensors (where the car is actually going).

When the StabiliTrak system determines that the car is not going where the driver is steering it, the StabiliTrak computer (which also controls ABS and traction control functions) sends a complex but extremely rapid series of directions to the vehicle's traction control and ABS to help straighten the vehicle. For example, if the car is starting to fishtail, StabiliTrak gently applies the outside front brake to slow the vehicle and nudge its tail back into line.

SÚSPENSION SYSTEMS

MAGNASTEER™

Another integral part of the Northstar System, Magnasteer is a continuously variable, speed-sensitive steering system that is standard on the ETC and Eldorado. Magnasteer varies the amount of steering effort in proportion to vehicle speed. Steering effort is reduced at lower speeds for parking ease and is increased as the vehicle speed rises for highway cruising.

Sensitivity to lateral acceleration as well as speed is an enhanced feature of the Magnasteer system. When the cornering rate is up, as sensed by an on-board lateral accelerometer, steering effort is automatically increased to enhance the driver's feel of the road. In addition, if StabiliTrak is active, steering effort also is increased significantly to help the driver maintain command of the situation.

SAFETY AND SECÚRITY

OnStar

OnStar is a standard feature on the 2001 Eldorado along with one year free premium service.

New from OnStar for 2001 is OnStar's new Personal Calling capability and the OnStar Virtual Advisor. Personal Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated personal calls from their vehicles without an additional cellular contract. OnStar Virtual Advisor delivers to the vehicle personalized Internet-based information such as news headlines, sports scores, stock quotes and weather conditions. Both services will be available through OnStar's unique three-button system, offering completely hands-free operation.

OnStar provides the most complete array of safety, security and convenience services available to drivers today. The system uses Cadillac's sophisticated on-board electronics, global positioning system (GPS) satellite technology and the cellular network to link the driver and the vehicle with the 24-hour OnStar Center.

OnStar's services include route support, remote door unlock, theft detection notification, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency services, OnStar MED-NET, AccidentAssist and remote diagnostics. From a database of more than five million listings, an adviser at the OnStar Center also can provide a wide range of convenience services, such as providing the location of the nearest automatic teller machine (ATM), making hotel reservations or ordering flowers.

OWNERSHIP AND WARRANTY

All 2001 Cadillacs are backed by a four-year/50,000-mile (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper limited warranty with courtesy transportation for all warranty repairs and no deductible. The warranty also includes defects in the material and workmanship of tires. Additional coverage includes a six-year/100,000-mile (whichever comes first) rust-through protection.

Cadillac 24-hour roadside assistance is available to Cadillac owners toll-free by dialing 1-800-882-1112. Cadillac-trained service technicians are dispatched to handle minor repairs and assist with flat tires, lockouts, jump starts, fuel deliveries and other roadside emergencies. If the repair cannot be completed on the spot, the technician can arrange to have the vehicle transported to a dealership and customers driven to their home or other local destination. Roadside assistance is provided at no charge for any warranty repair and at a nominal charge if the vehicle is not under warranty.

Source - Cadillac

New For 2001

• New assembly plant

• New services from OnStar*
*Will not be available at the start of '01 production

Source - Cadillac

Sales History (Calendar Year)

2000 4,730 (though May 2000)
1999 15,255
1998 15,598
1997 20,609
1996 20,964
1995 23,200
Vehicle History




Designed to be a modern technical showcase, Cadillac's ultra-luxurious 1957 Eldorado Brougham introduced the quad headlight system, a power seat with memory, automatic door locks, air suspension and a foot-operated parking brake that automatically released when the transmission was shifted into gear. Eldorado's tail fins, also called rocket fins, reached their styling peak in 1959. The fins would begin a gradual decline in 1960 and reached a subdued form by 1964. Completely redesigned in 1967, the Eldorado was the first Cadillac with front-wheel drive.

Cadillac stopped making convertible Eldorados in 1976, but teased enthusiasts in 1984 by producing 2,000 Eldorado Biarritz convertibles. In 1992, the Eldorado was dramatically restyled with sharp, razor edges and angular body. The Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) was also introduced, designed with a more aggressive and refined touring suspension. The two models offer the world-famous Northstar System. Today, the Eldorado is the only luxury coupe built in North America.

Source - Cadillac