A new fuel-injected 2.0-liter engine with five-speed gearbox promised better starting and gas mileage for Cadillac's smallest car. A new front end placed standard tungsten-halogen foglamps alongside the license plate, while a lower valance panel helped to separate Cimarron from its related (and much cheaper) J-body relatives. The grille had a finer mesh pattern than before, made up of thin vertical bars all the way across, divided into three sections by two subdued horizontal bars. Quad rectangular headlamps and amber parking/signal lamps were inset below the bumper rub strips. The hood medallion was new, and new aluminum alloy wheels contained bigger slots. Performance got a boost from the increased displacement and higher compression, along with the bigger engine's "swirl" intake ports and revised camshaft. That extra gear in the transmission didn't hurt either -- especially since it delivered a higher first-gear ratio for quicker takeoffs, plus closer ratios overall for smoother shift transitions. Ratios in the optional three-speed automatic changed too. Cimarron's ample standard equipment list included:

• air conditioning
• tinted glass
• P195/70R13 steel-belted radial tires on aluminum alloy wheels
• controlled-cycle wipers
• lighter
• digital clock
• electric rear and side window defroster
• tungsten-halogen high-beam headlamps
• leather reclining bucket seats with lumbar support and adjustable headrests
• an AM/FM stereo radio with extended-range speakers

The dash held gauges for temp, oil pressure, voltage trip odometer and tachometer. Bumpers contained guards, end caps, and rub strips. Cimarrons had power rack-and-pinion steering with a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Drivers enjoyed dual electric remote mirrors, while the front passenger had a visor vanity mirror. In the trunk: a compact spare tire. Cimarron came in ten colors, accented by dual color painted stripes. Three were Cimarron exclusives: Antique Saddle, Midnight Sand Gray, and Garnet. Prices began at $12,215 this year.