1992 CADILLAC ELDORADO
- The 1992 Seville and Eldorado models were Cadillac's first totally new offerings since the luxury automaker was reorganized in 1987 as an autonomous General Motors division.
- Inside and out, it was an all-new Eldorado coupe and Touring Coupe (option code YP5) for 1992.
- The Eldo returned to a traditional hardtop configuration with the "door glass into roof" design rather than a full door frame.
- Overall, compared to the previous year's Eldo, length of the luxury coupe increased 10.8 inches to 202.2 inches, body width increased 3.5 inches to 74.8 inches, and height increased to 54 inches.
- Structurally, Eldo's unibody construction was improved with the addition of crush zones for enhanced safety and an integrated, solid feel.
- The front frame was stiffer and featured new engine and transmission mounts for improved stability and road noise isolation.
- The returning 4.9-liter V-8 received 100,000-mile replacement interval, platinum-tipped spark plugs, and was again coupled to the 4T60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
- Eldorados also received a new brake/transmission shift interlock and featured improved braking via larger front and rear brake rotors and larger front calipers.
- Eldo's redesigned appearance included a larger flush-glass windshield and flush-glass door and rear-quarter windows; revamped front fenders, rear quarter panels, and hood with stand-up ornament: body'color fascias with rub strips; chrome-plated grille; revised park, signal and cornering lamps; flush door handles; revamped bodyside moldings with bright upper strip and integral "Eldorado" or "Touring Coupe" lettering with gray border; low-gloss black rocker molding; new center high-mounted stoplamp integrated into package shelf; new tail-lamp assembly and rear fascia, new decklid with revised locking emblem and new "Eldorado" lettering integrated into rear license plate pocket.
- The trunk was also redesigned to reduce liftover height while offering 15.3 cubic feet of space (an increase of 1.2 cubic feet over the previous year's version).
- In addition, the trunklid opened to a full upright position.
- Inside, interior volume increased two cubic feet (115 cubic feet overall).
- New Bistro Cloth trim was used and seats were redesigned for enhanced comfort.
- Other new features included a revamped instrument panel that had Zebrano wood accents, a steering column-mounted transmission shift level, a more compact center front mini console, center front overhead console and modular headliner with ergonomically positioned courtesy/reading lamps and retractable coat hooks.
- The standard climate control system was improved with an upgraded electronic solar sensor and adjustable outlets with five-speed fan control.
- Optional equipment included more supple leather seating areas; Sport Interior package that included full floor console with shift lever and analog instrument cluster; heated front seats (available only with leather); and Delco-Bose Gold Series CD sound system.
- Other new equipment found on the Eldo included 16-inch cast aluminum wheels with Michelin XGT4 P225/60R16 touring tires (blackwall or whitewall could be selected).
- The redesigned Eldo achieved a 0.33 coefficient of drag compared to the previous year's 0.38.
- Steering ratio was 6.5:1, which required 2.81 turns lock-to-lock.
- The Eldo's curb-to-curb turning circle was 40 feet.
- Weight distribution. front to rear was 62.8 percent to 37.2 percent.
- The Touring Coupe featured a monochromatic paint scheme, specific chrome-plated grille with wreath-and-crest emblem, a specific, body-color front fascia and integral foglamps.
- The rear, body-color fascia featured dual cutouts for chrome-plated exhaust tips.
- The Touring Coupe was offered in 11 colors, including three new ones: Slate Green, Dark Plum and Gold Diamond.
- Final drive ratio for the Touring Coupe was 3.33:1.
- Computer Command Ride was standard equipment and featured four electronically controlled struts that were revalved for stiffer suspension qualities.
- The Touring Coupe rode on specific 16-inch aluminum wheels and Goodyear Eagle GA P225/60HR16 tires.
Nineteen ninety-two brought the new fifth-generation front-drive Eldorado -- and a handsome
gift it was. With the Seville having become Cadillac's designated player in the
"international" luxury game, some observers felt its two-door companion would revert to a more
baroque, less youthful concept. Not so. The driver-oriented Touring Coupe is back, and a
thoughtful redesign renders both it and the standard Eldorado decisive
world-class cars, Cadillac-style.
Though wheelbase is unchanged at 108 inches, overall length is up 10.8 inches (to 202.2),
width 3.5 inches (to 74.8), and height about an inch (to 54). Cadillac has used these gains to
provide not only more passenger and cargo space, but also a more balanced and "important"
look. We see traces of the taut Allanté in the nose and lower body, yet overall
appearance is expressively unique, highlighted by wide roof sail panels, curved backlight, and
an artfully sculptured rear end.
Weight has also increased, though only by some 200 pounds -- modest
given the increased exterior dimensions and a stouter understructure with
softer mounts that all but eliminate noise, vibration, and harshness.
Cadillac's Computer Command Ride system has been retuned to suit -- and
to suit each model's carefully conceived on-road personality; a new
transverse tubular -- steel bar lends extra rigidity to the cowl area. Save
larger brakes all-round, running gear is little changed -- and didn't need to
be. Performance is likewise as good as before, despite the extra weight,
with Cadillac claiming 0-60 in under nine seconds.
As before, the '92 Eldorados portray different personas inside as much
as outside. Where the standard model remains traditional -- digital
instrumentation, column shift, plush cloth seats -- the Touring Coupe
presents analog gauges, a full-length console with floor shift, and
multi-adjustable power sport seats covered in leather. The good news is
that TC-type appointments are available on the standard Eldorado, and both
models boast a sweeping new ergonomically designed instrument panel,
rear-seat air ducts, improved automatic climate control system, and rich
Zebrano wood accents. Standard equipment, ever generous on Eldorados, is
newly expanded to include GM's "PASS-Key" theft-deterrent system. On
the options list are heated front seats, power front seatback recliners and
lumbar-support adjusters, heated windshield, and self-dipping
electrochromic rearview mirror. The standard audio system is a 200-watt
AM/FM/cassette unit with graphic equalizer; optional is a revamped
Delco/Bose system with integrated compact-disc.
In short, the '92 Eldorado is quite a package: smooth, sophisticated and
... well, elegant. Of course, it's too early now to say just how history will
ultimately judge it, but we think this latest in the long line of front-drive
personal Cadillacs will be as much a collectible automobile one day as that
first trend-setting '67 has become in our time.
One thing sure: Eldorado will continue to be an exemplar of
contemporary automotive elegance, just as Cadillac will continue to reclaim
its historic position as the world's dominant luxury-car power. Certainly the
grand new 1992 Eldorado gives clear notice that the troubles of Cadillac's
recent past are over. Yes, "The Standard of the World" is back, and
we couldn't be happier.
The 1992 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the windshield. The digits of the code were as follows:
First digit = "1" = manufacturing country (United States)
Second = "G” = General Motors
Third = "6" = Cadillac
Fourth & fifth = car line/series
E/L=Eldorado
Sixth = the body style:
1 = two-door coupe/sedan
Seventh = the restraint code:
- 1 = active (manual) belts
- 2 = active (manual) belts w/dual airbags
- 3 = active (manual) belts w/driver’s side airbag
- 4 = passive (automatic) belts
- 5 = passive (automatic) belts w/driver's side airbag
Eighth = the engine: "B" = L26 4.9L V-8
Ninth = check digit
10th = model year, "N" for 1992
11th = the assembly plant
The remaining six digits identify the production sequence number
| Series | Body/Style | Body Type | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Prod. Total
|
|---|
| EL | L57 | 2dr. Coupe | $32470 | 3604 lb | 31,151 (Includes Eldorados equipped with Touring Coupe option)
|
|---|
- 90-degree, overhead valve V-8
- Aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners. cast iron cylinder heads
- Displacement: 300 cu . in. (4.9 liters)
- Bore & Stroke: 3.62 x 3.62 in.
- Compression ratio: 9.5:1
- Brake horsepower: 200 @ 4100 rpm.
- Torque: 275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm.
- Roller hydraulic valve lifters
- Sequential port fuel injection.
| Wheelbase | 108.0 in.
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| Overall Length | 202.2 in.
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| Height | 54.0 in.
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| Width | 74.8 in.
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| Front Tread | 60.9 in.
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| Rear Tread | 60.9 in.
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| Standard Tires | P225/60R16
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| Touring Tires | Goodyear Eagle GA P225/60HR16
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| Transmission | 4T60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic with overdrive (includes viscous converter clutch)
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| Steering | Power-assisted rack-and-pinion
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| Front suspension | Independent Macpherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers -- Computer Command Ride and stabilizer bar
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| Rear Suspension | Fully independent transverse monoleaf w/automatic level control and Computer Command Ride, no rear stabilizer
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| Brakes | Power assisted front and rear disc w/Bosch II anti-lock braking system
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| Body Construction | Integral body-frame
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| Fuel Tank | 18.8 gals.
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- YPS Touring Coupe Opt. $4,000
- Opt. Pkg. B $181
- Security Pkg. 5480.
- Seating Pkg. $340
- Accent Striping $75
- Heated Front Seats $120
- Astroroof $1,550
- Gold Ornamentation Pkg. $395
- Heated Windshield $309
- Leather Seating $650
- Auto Day/Night Mirror $110
- Firemist Paint $240
- Gold/White Diamond Paint $240
- Delco-Bose Sound Syst. w/CD & Cassette $972
- Sport Interior $146
- P225/60R16 WSW Tires $76
- Cadillac's model year production totaled 233,027 compared with 220,284 the year previous.
- Based on sales ot 214,176 automobiles in 1992 (vs. 213,288 the year before), Cadillac's share of the U.S. market remained at 2.61 percent.
- A 1993 Allante convertible was selected as the pace car for the 1992 Indianapolis 500.
May 11, 2000; March 8/03
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