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Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
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| ELDORADO: AMERICA' S BEST-SELLING LUXURY COUPE OFFERS UNBEATABLE STYLE AND PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW |
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| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:27:16 |
| Rating |
 51 ( -10 -19.6% ) |
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Description:
The 1998 Eldorado continues to set the standard for expressive luxury coupes with its unbeatable blend of style and performance.
Eldorado is America's best-selling luxury coupe, and has the highest owner loyalty of any coupe in its segment. Target Eldorado buyers are men and women in their mid-50s who have household incomes of $100,000 or more.
"These buyers want distinctive styling and performance, they place a high value on their independence, and they expect their vehicles to contribute to that freedom," says Ed Berger, Eldorado brand manager.
Eldorado continues to offer expressive performance in 1998 with the Northstar System's 275-hp 4.6-liter V8, all-speed standard traction control, ABS and Magnasteer variable-assist steering.
New for 1998, Eldorado will offer StabiliTrak, Cadillac's exclusive stability control system. StabiliTrak helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle on all roads, in all types of weather, especially during abrupt or emergency maneuvers.
For 1998, Eldorado receives a new family of radios featuring the renowned Bose speaker system, including an optional radio with radio data system (RDS) technology. RDS provides a new level of convenience and safety by allowing broadcasters to transmit text and emergency messages along with the audio signal. Other radio upgrades include an optional single-slot CD player and standard THEFTLOCK, an automatic theft-deterrent system.
EXTERIOR
The 1998 Eldorado's bold exterior styling is further enhanced with the addition of four new exterior colors Baltic Blue, a medium metallic blue with increased sparkle; Gold Firemist, a classic gold metallic; Moonstone, a gold and gray metallic; and Crimson Pearl, a premium process hot red that replaces Cadillac's traditional Pearl Red. At the same time, Dark Cherry, Sea Mist Green and Pearl Red have been dropped.
INTERIOR
Inside, the Eldorado's 'luxury-sport interior 'features front bucket seats, full front-floor console and analog instrumentation. Two-new interior colors are available in 1998: Camel (available in leather) and Pewter (available in both Renaissance cloth and leather).
Radio
Cadillac is the first domestic automaker to offer radio data system (RDS) technology, which is available on the optional radio. RDS is a European-based technology that allows broadcasters to silently deliver- a 1,200-bits-per-second' date stream along with the audio content, opening up a wide variety of features to listeners, including:
Seeing the call letters off the station
Tuning by program type, e.g., top 40, jazz, country, etc.
Viewing song titles and artists' names
Hearing emergency broadcasts in situations in which the radio interrupts the CD or cassette player for traffic or emergency alerts
Checking pager messages
Viewing stock quotes, sports scores, directions, or other information
Synchronizing clocks with official radio time
Switching to alternate frequencies for continuous reception of network programming on long trips
"Eldorado drivers love to drive, and their car makes a personal statement of confidence and success," said 'Ed Berger, Eldorado brand manager. "We think they'll really enjoy having RDS is many features available at their fingertips.
"For example, say an Eldorado driver is commuting to work, and he or she prefers news radio in the morning. RDS technology allows stations to display their call letters, and what type of station it isEldorado drivers also will appreciate the trade function of RIPS. If the station they're listening to doesn't broadcast traffic' announcements, the radio looks for a station that does. When a traffic announcement is broadcast, passengers will hear it even if a CD -or a cassette tape is playing.
"We know Eldorado drivers spend a lot of time in their cars, so another RDS feature they'll appreciate is its alert system to let listeners know of impending local or national emergencies," Berger says. "You can get those currently vie the emergency broadcasting system on regular radio, but with RDS, if you're listening to a CD or tape, it will interrupt your CD or tape and broadcast the message."
Another optional radio feature in 1998 is the weather band. The weather band allows customers to get National Weather Service reports 24 hours a day.
A new family of radios featuring the renowned Bose speaker system and a- single-slot compact disc player, adds to the driving pleasure of the Eldorado. A 12-disc trunk-mounted CD changer continues to be optional.
The Eldorado radios in 19'98 also feature a mute button, which silences the system when the button is pressed. When the button is pressed again, the sound returns.
In addition, Eldorados equipped with the 'memory feature offer home/away presets. In-the part, the Eldorado radio allowed both driver 1 and driver 2 to select their own 18 (12 FM and six AM) radio station presets. In 1998, both drivers can select their preferred radio stations outside their home area, such as in frequently traveled tipsiness or vacation areas.
For 1998, all Eldorado radios are equipped with THEFTLOCK, which provides automatic theft deterrence for the radio. If the radio is removed from the vehicle, it won't work in any other car unless the VIN is cleared. This can only be done by a dealership using a -special tool. In addition, once the VIN is scribed into a radio, the radio can be traced.
NORTHSTARSYSTEM
Northstar V8
The 1998 Eldorado is equipped with the Northstar 4.6-liter 32-valve dual overhead cam V8 engine. With 300 ft.-lbs. of Torque at 4400 rpm, this version of the Northstar offers strong low-end torque and quick acceleration off the line, achieving zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. The engine is rated at 275 horsepower at 5600 rpm, which allows drivers to safely perform passing maneuvers at speed. Its 30-mph to 70-mph time is 7.0 seconds. Coupled to a 3.11:1 final drive ratio, the 275-hp Northstar offers plenty of performance, while delivering an excellent EPA fuel economy rating of 17-mpg city and 2'6 mpg highway.
The Northstar engine also offers- 100,000-mile durability and limp-home mode in case of total coolant loss.
The Northstar's maintenance-free design requires no tune-ups--only changing the oil, oil filter and air filter--until the Eldorado logs 100,000 miles. And in limp-home mode, the engine can operate on four cylinders at speeds of 50 mph for' about -50 miles, giving the driver an opportunity to reach a safe location. The engine does 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.
Eldorado's 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
New for 1998, Eldorado will offer StabiliTrak, a stability control system that improves the stability of the vehicle on all surfaces at all speeds. StabiliTrak will be offered as a stand-alone option.
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 sensors compare the steering angle (where the driver wants the car to go). With feedback -from wheel and directional 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 brakes to help straighten the vehicle. For example, if the car is starting to fishtail, StabiliTrak gently applies the outside front brake, which slows the vehicle and nudges the car's tail back into line.
Magnasteer
Another integral part of the Northstar System? Magnasteer is a continuously variable, speed-sensitive steering system that is standard on the Eldorado.
Magnasteer varies the amount of steering effort in proportion to your vehicle's speed. Steering is easier at lower speed for maneuvering and parking ease. As vehicle speed increases, the steering effort also increases. At highway speeds, the amount of steering effort is increased to provide maximum stability and control.
PERSONAL SECURITY
OnStar
OnStar, an advanced cellular-based communications system, is an option on Eldorado. When customers order the OnStar services package they receive a fixed cellular phone with two specific buttons for OnStar.
Using Cadillac's 'sophisticated on-board electronics, OnStar brings a remarkable range of safety, security and convenience features to the drivers including automatic notification of front air bag deployment; remote door unlock; theft detection notification 'and stolen' vehicle tracking; emergency services; and concierge services.
Personalization upgrades
Eldorado's personalization feature provides additional peace of mind. In past model years, drivers have been able to program their doors with three locking modes. For 1998, there are two new modes: al doors lock when shifting out of park and only the driver's door unlocks when the key is turned off; and all doors lock when shifting out of park and unlock when the key is turned off.
The remote keyless entry (RKE) fob also adds an additional feature for 1998: when the lock button is pressed, the horn will sound to verify that the doors have locked. Additionally, if the vehicle is equipped with the optional memory features, when the vehicle is in reverse, the passenger-side mirror can be programmed to tilt downward, giving the driver a better view of the curb during parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse returns the mirror to its original position. |
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