1996 CADILLAC ELDORADO

The 1996 Eldorado, Cadillac's personal luxury coupe, shared many features with the Seville.

Its closest competitor is the Lincoln Mark VIII, but the Lexus SC 300 and SC 400 fight Eldo for sales, too.

The Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) offers an even more upscale interior and sportier performance.

Like all Cadillacs except the rear-drive Brougham, Eldorado uses the Northstar System, the heart of which is a 4.6-liter V8 engine, but also includes a 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, all-speed traction control and a Road-Sensing Suspension that automatically adjusts firmness to match road conditions.

Eldorado gets 275 horsepower, while the ETC boasts 300. This sportier model gains further distinction for 1996 with a redesigned instrument panel and center console. Both Eldorados come with steering-wheel-mounted controls for the automatic climate control and sound system. The two Eldos feature different types of speed-sensitive power steering that increase effort required to turn the steering wheel at higher speeds.

Both models come with leather upholstery and driver's-seat-position memory. The Touring Coupe also gets Cadillac's Rainsense feature, which senses rainfall on the windshield and automatically turns on the wipers for you. With the optional voice-recognition phone (also available in other Cadillacs) you can dial, place and answer calls just by speaking. Like the Sevilles, both Eldorados feature daytime running lights, which make the car more conspicuous to other drivers. Daytime running lights had been used in Canada since 1990 and should have been used in the USA years before 1996.

The powertrains for the Eldorado series models were carried over from the year previous.
The Eldo coupe was again powered by the 275 horsepower Northstar 4.6-liter V-8 while the Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) again used the 300-horse Northstar engine.
Both were mated to the 4T80-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission linked to the engine via a viscous convertor clutch.
Final drive ratio of the Eldo was 3.11:1 while the ETC's was 3.71:1.
Inside the "base" coupe, the seats were redesigned to improve comfort and eight-way memory seats were available as an option (standard on ETC), with adjustability for two different drivers.
The seats were designed to reveal a hand-crafted look through French seam stitching.
Other new features included
- the previous dark black trim on seat and window stitches, trimplates, cluster area and radio faceplate were changed to dark gray
- the previous speed density air/fuel control system was replaced with a mass airflow sensor
- a more powerful Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was added to help reduce exhaust emissions
- the PCM being was moved from the passenger compartment to the air cleaner housing to enhance its reliability
- the "Electro-motor" electronic cruise control replaced the previous vacuum-operated system
- a new exterior color was added: Sea Mist Green
New options for the "base" coupe included
- one leather seating color choice: Sea Mist Green
When leather seating was ordered, a new lamination process was used to bond the leather to the trim pad to reduce wrinkles.
Also new for 1996, a computer algorithm in the PCM anticipated air conditioner compressor load cycling to eliminate the driveline disturbances associated with A/C operation while driving; the Road Sensing Suspension module used wheel displacement to calculate body velocities, which eliminated the need for body accelerometers; and customer personalization of four automatic door lock configurations, battery storage and seat position were programable through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
The ETC featured a completely redesigned interior.
Entertainment system, climate control system and DIC controls were air integrated into a full center console.
Relocating these controls from their previous location on the instrument panel allowed for the widening of the analog gauge cluster making it appear "international" with large speedometer and tachometer dials.
New features of the ETC included the Dual-Mode cell phone, Rainsense Wiper System, and a traction control off switch and valet lookout button that deactivated the trunk fuel door and garage door opener functions, all located in the glovebox.
ETC also received Magnasteer variable assist power steering as well as Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension for improved ride comfort, in the event of an airbag deployment in the ETC, interior lights were illuminated after one second and remained on for 25 minutes unless manually switched off.
Also, automatic door locks unlocked 15 seconds after deployment.
Standard rubber for the ETC was Goodyear Eagle RS-A P225/60R16 blackwall tires while Eagle GA P225/60ZR16 blackwalls were optional.

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.	Body Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
EL1	L57	2-dr. coupe	39595	3766	20,816
ET1	T57	2-dr. Tour. coupe.	42995	3801	20,816

ENGINE

Feature	Eldorado	Eldorado Touring Coupe
Engine	32-valve Northstar V8 90-degree, dual overhead cam
Construction	Aluminum-alloy block with cast iron cylinder liners and cylinder heads
Manifold	Composite intake manifold
Spark plugs	Dual-platinum tipped
Displacement	4565cc (i.e., 4.6 liters) (279 cu. in.)
Bore & Stroke	3.66 x 3.31 in
Compression ratio	10.3 : 1
Brake Horsepower	275 @ 5600 rpm	300 @ 6000 rpm
Torque	300 lb-ft. @ 4000 rpm	295 lb.-ft @ 4400 rpm
Valve train	Direct acting hydraulic tappets
Fuel supply	Sequential-port fuel injection
Coolant	DEX-COOL^TM long-life corrosion-inhibiting with "limp-home" engine coolant loss protection
Exhaust	Stainless steel exhaust system

CHASSIS

Feature	Eldorado	Eldorado Touring Coupe
Wheelbase	2743 mm (108.0")
Overall Length	5086 mm (200.2")
Height	1362 mm (53.6")
Width	1918 mm (75.5")
Front Tread	1546 mm (60.9")
Rear Tread	1546 mm (60.9")
Curb Weight	1708 kg (3765 lb.)	1724 kg (3801 lb.)
Luggage capacity	435 liters (15.3 cu. ft.)
Fuel tank capacity	76 liters (16.7 Imp. gal.) (20 US gal.)
Fuel Economy City/Hwy	13.8 l/100 km - 9 l/100 km (20.4/31.2 mpg-imp) (17/26 mpg US)
Basic Warranty, Months/Distance	48/80,000 km (50,000 miles)
0-96 kph (0-60 mph)	7.8 seconds	7.3 seconds
Top speed	180 kph (112 mph)	240 kph (150 mph)
Standard wheel	16" x 7" cast-aluminum
Optional wheel	16" x 7" chrome finish cast aluminum
Standard tires	Michelin XW4 P225/60 SR16 all-season blackwall	Goodyear Eagle RS-A P225/60HR16 all-season blackwall
Optional tires	Michelin XW4 P225/60SR16 all-season whitewall tires	Goodyear Eagle GA P225/60ZR16 all-season performance

TECHNICAL

Feature	Eldorado	Eldorado Touring Coupe
Transmission		AT80-E electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control and altitude compensation
Clutch	Viscous converter clutch
ATF	"Filled-for-life" Dexron® III automatic transmission fluid
Drive	Front-wheel drive
Drive axles	Equal-length drive axles
Final drive ratio	3.11 : 1	3.71 : 1
Front Suspension	4-wheel independent suspension MacPherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers and stabilizer bar and electronic variable road sensing suspension	Independent Macpherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers and stabilizer bar and electronic continuously variable road sensing suspension
Rear suspension	Fully independent short/long arm w/automatic level control and electronic variable rood sensing suspension	Fully independent, coil springs, short/long arm w/automatic level control and electronic continuously variable road sensing suspension
Steering	Speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering	Speed-sensitive MAGNASTEER^TM power rack-and-pinion steering
Control system	Integrated chassis control system
Brakes	Power assisted 4-wheel disc w/Bosch anti-lock braking system
Body Construction	integral body-frame
Fuel Tank	20.0 gals.
Exhaust	Stainless steel exhaust system

SAFETY & SECURITY

Feature	Eldorado	ETC
Dual front air bags	Standard	Standard
Intentional set front shoulder belts	Standard	Standard
Programmable power door locks with anti-lockout protection	Standard	Standard
Remote keyless entry system includes central door unlocking	Standard	Standard
Illuminated entry system	Standard	Standard
Battery run-down protection system	Standard	Standard
Audible theft-deterrent system	Standard	Optional
PASS-Key II personal security theft-deterrent system	Standard	Standard
Daytime Running Lamps and automatic light control includes Twilight Sentinel with delay feature	Standard	Standard
Wiper activated headlamps	Standard	Standard
Brake/transmission shift interlock	Standard	Standard
Bosch ABS5 4-wheel anti-lock brake system	Standard	Standard
Bosch ASR5 full-range traction control	Standard	Standard

EXTERIOR

Feature	Eldorado	ETC
2-sided galvanized steel body panels (except roof)	Standard	Standard
Waterborne clearcoat paint	Standard	Standard
Solar-Ray tinted glass	Standard	Standard
Composite tungsten-halogen headlamps with flash-to-pass	Standard	Standard
Fog lamps	Standard	Standard
Front cornering lamps	Standard	Standard
Dual heated power remote mirrors	Standard	Standard
Electrochromic driver side rearview mirror		Standard
Power antenna	Standard	Standard

INTERIOR

Feature	Eldorado	ETC
2-position memory driver seat with driver logic feature	Optional	Standard
4-way power lumbar adjusters	Optional	Standard
Analog instrument cluster	Optional in Sport Interior Package	Standard
Auto-calibrating compass mounted within inside rearview mirror	Optional	Optional
Automatic climate control system	Standard
Body accent striping	Optional
Cargo convenience net	Standard	Standard
Cruise control	Standard	Standard
Dealer-installed cellular phone with hands free and voice recognition (portable or fixed models)	Optional	Optional
Digital instrument cluster	Standard
Driver Information Center	Standard	Standard
Dual-zone automatic climate control system	Optional in Sport Interior Package	Standard
Electric rear window defogger	Standard	Standard
Electrically heated front windshield	Optional	Optional
Electrochromic driver outside rearview mirror	Optional
Electrochromic inside rearview mirror	Standard	Standard
Front and rear carpeted floor mats	Standard	Standard
Front bucket seats with 6-way power adjusters and power recliners	Standard	Standard
Front door storage pockets	Standard	Standard
Front floor console includes floor shifter	Optional in Sport Interior Package	Standard
Heated front seat cushions and backs	Standard	Standard
Illuminated visor vanity mirrors, includes driver storage flap	Standard	Standard
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with fingertip climate and sound system controls	Standard	Standard
Nuance leather seating areas	Standard	Standard
Pearl Red paint finish	Optional	Optional
Power astroroof with express-open feature	Optional	Optional
Power remote fuel filler door release	Standard	Standard
Power remote trunk release with pull down	Standard	Standard
Power windows with driver express-down	Standard	Standard
Rainsense variable delay windshield wiper system		Standard
Rear air controls	Standard	Standard
Rear storage armrest with dual cupholders	Standard	Standard
Retained accessory power	Standard	Standard
Sport Interior Package, includes analog instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and floor console with shifter	Optional	Standard
Sunglass storage compartment	Standard	Standard
Tilt-Wheel^TM adjustable steering column	Standard	Standard
Universal 3-channel garage door opener	Optional	Optional
Variable delay windshield wipers	Standard
White Diamond paint finish	Optional	Optional
Zebrano wood trim	Standard	Standard

OPTIONS

UY9 Sport int. Pkg. $146	Theft Deterrent Syst. (std Touring Coupe) $295
Elect. Compass $100	Garage Door Opener $107
Accent Striping (Eldo) $75	Heated Front Leather Seats $225
Astroroof $1,550	Heated Windshield $377
Leather Seating (std Touring Coupe) $785	Dual Pwr Lumbar Support (std Touring Coupe) $292
Memory Driver's Seat (std Touring Coupe) $235	Electrochromic Auto Day/Night Driver's Side Mirror (std Touring Coupe) $87
White Diamond Paint $500	Pearl Red Paint $500
Bose Sound Syst. w/Cassette $723:	Bose Sound Syst. w/Cassette & CD Changer $1,318
Bose Sound Syst. w/Digital Signal Processing $1,513	P225/60R16 WSW Tires (Eldo) $76
P225/60ZR16 BSW Tires (Touring Coupe) $250	Chrome wheels $1,195.

PREVIOUS: History of the 1995 Cadillac NEXT: History of the 1996 Cadillac DeVille NEXT: History of the 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood NEXT: History of the 1996 Cadillac Seville NEXT: History of the 1996 Cadillac Overview NEXT: History of the 1997 Cadillac

Sign My Guestbook

View My Guestbook

Books about Cadillac	History of LaSalle	Books on other automobiles

1993	1994	1995	1997	1998	1999

May 11, 2000; March 8/03