All-new in design the year before, the Eldorado gained not only more members in its series, but also the Cadillac-exclusive Northstar engine under the hood of two of those members.
An Eldorado Sport Coupe joined the ranks already consisting of the base coupe and Eldo Touring Coupe.
The Sport Coupe could be ordered either with a Sport Appearance Package (SAP) or Sport Performance Package (SPP – of which the SAP was included).
It was both the Touring Coupe and Sport Coupe with SPP that featured the Northstar 4.6-liter 32-valve, dual overhead cam V-8 engine.
Both the block and cylinder head assembly of the Northstar engine were constructed of cast aluminum.
For increased rigidity, iron bore liners were cast into the block.
Rather than the traditional five-bearing cap assembly for the crankshaft the Northstar featured a two-piece block with a large, one-piece girdle assembly.
This configuration provided for an extremely rigid carrier for the crankshaft.
The aluminum cylinder heads had four distinct camshafts.
The Northstar’s compression ratio was 10.3:1.
Mated to the Northstar was the all-new 4T80-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with torque converter clutch.
Designed specifically for the Northstar engine, the 4T80-E featured equal-length drive axles to help eliminate torque steer.
The Eldorado and Eldo Sport Coupe with SAP were powered by the 4.9-liter V-8 paired with the 4T60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
The Powertrain Control System integrated engine and transmission functions to deliver controlled power to the drive wheels.
New standard features for the Eldo included speed sensitive steering, a multi-link short/long arm (SLA) rear suspension, and dual airbags.
The SLA suspension system included a short upper control arm, a longer lower control arm, shock absorbers and an additional lateral link.
These components were mounted on a subframe that was rubber-isolated from the car's body.
This system, introduced on the early-launch 1993 Allante, provided increased ride stability as well as improved steering responsiveness.
Another new feature for 1993 was the high-density polyethylene fuel tank, which replaced the previous welded steel tank.
The “plastic" tank provided better crashworthiness, corrosion resistance, and improved thermal management.
Eldo was also fitted with a revised, stainless steel exhaust system featuring a new longitudinal muffler design.
Eldorados also received a new waterborne paint process as well as two new exterior colors: Light Beige Metallic and Dark Cherry Red Metallic, for a total of 17 available colors, included in the eight interior color selections was the new Saddle color.
Bistro knit cloth was standard with Nuance leather seating areas optional (with heated front seats part of the package).
A new option for Eldos was the express-open sunroof.
In addition to the Northstar V-8, the Sport Coupe with SPP also featured traction control, road sensing suspension and low-rolling resistance Michelin XW4 P225/60R16 tires.
Road sensing suspension included four specially equipped struts with two damping rates: soft and firm.
Under most conditions, the system operated in the soft mode.
It shifted to firm mode when more control was needed.
Steering ratio for the Sport Coupe was 15.6:1 with 2.65 turns required lock-to-lock.
Outside, the Sport Coupe was distinguished by a chrome grille with wreath-and-crest ornament in the center.
In the rear, a specific fascia was used to accommodate the dual exhaust.
Also, on SPP-equipped models, a Northstar engine identification plaque was located on the decklid.
Sport Coupes featured three cloth seat color selections and eight leather choices.
Optional was an eiectrochromic inside rearview mirror.
The Touring Coupe also featured SLA rear suspension, road sensing suspension and speed sensitive steering.
Standard tires were Goodyear Eagle GA P225/6OZR16 radials mounted on cast aluminum wheels.
A new option was chrome wheels.
Other standard fare for the Touring Coupe included Pass-Key II anti-theft system, 7000 rpm tachometer and 150 mph speedometer, electrochromic inside rearview mirror, and leather seating in five color choices including a new Saddle color.
I. D. NUMBERS
The 1993 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: 5 = four-door 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
Y = LD8 4.6L V-8
9 = L37 4.6L V-8
Ninth = check digit
10th = model year, "P" for 1993
11th = the assembly plant
The remaining six digits identify the production sequence number
Series
Body/Style
Body Type
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Prod. Total
EL1
L57
2-dr. Coupe
$33,900
3604 lb
21,473 includes Eldorados equipped with Touring Coupe and Sport Coupe options
ENGINE
Feature
Eldorado Sport Coupe with Sport Performance Package
Power assisted front and rear disc w/Bosch II anti-lock braking system.
Body Construction
integral body frame
Fuel Tank
20.0 gals.
OPTIONS
YP5 Touring Coupe Opt. $5,000
YP7 Sport Appearance Pkg. $875
V4Z Sport Performance Pkg. $3,000
Security Pkg. $480
Accent Striping $75
Heated Front Seats $120
Astroroof $1,550
Heated Windshield $309
Leather Seating $650
Pwr Lumbar Support $292
Auto Day/Night Mirror $110
Firemist Paint $240
Gold/White Diamond Paint $240
Delco-Bose Sound Syst. w/CD & Cassette $972
P225/60R16 WSW Tires $76
Chrome wheels $1,195.
HISTORICAL NOTE
Cadillac's model year production totaled 225,830 compared with 233,027 the year previous.
Based on sales of 204,159 automobiles in 1993 (vs. 214,176 the year before), Cadillac’s share of the U.S. market was 2.40 percent compared with 2.61 the year previous.
