Cadillac Seville MKII: cutting-edge car with strange styling (11 photos + 1 video)

The all-new 1980 Cadillac Seville may have been the most outstanding car in the world and the most advanced. Its form called love and hate... you either liked her or you didn't.





Many will say that the period of the 80s was not successful for American automotive industry, and mainly for luxury vehicle manufacturers. Imperial disappeared, Lincoln was only a shadow of a twenty-year-old brand, and Cadillac somehow tried to protect himself from attacks not only from foreign competitors, but also competition within General Motors itself represented by Buick. You'll probably be surprised, but Lincoln and Cadillac have recorded their best sales results in the 80s.



Cadillac did it in 1985 when it produced 384,840 vehicles and Lincoln - three years later, when it found 280,659 buyers for its cars. The problem was not really with the cars themselves, but the age of their customers.





As history shows, in the 80s, in addition to the wealthy, in years, people, young people began to stare at premium cars. And this trend has increased year by year. But most of them didn't want to Cadillac or Lincoln that their fathers or grandfathers wanted, but something with sporty spirit, like BMW and Porsche.



The premium division of General Motors did not sit idly by. Also in In 1976, the Seville debuted as a direct competitor to European models. Although it was the smallest Cadillac in the line, it was also the most expensive and proved to be very popular among young buyers.

Over 215,000 sold in the first four years of production units, which surpassed all European competitors combined. But, take a closer look at the second generation Seville with its impressive rear part.



Some will recognize elegance, others will say that this is some kind of stump, but when he rode down the street, everyone turned around. It all started shortly after how the first generation went on sale, and during this period General Motors led the industry in offering front wheel drive vehicles.



Knowing all the tastes and preferences of Americans, it was decided to make new front-wheel drive K-Body platform, and in addition to Seville, it also produced Oldsmobile Toronado and Buick Riviera. Actually Toronado has been front-wheel drive since 1966 and has proven to be extremely roomy, comfortable and durable. Cadillac also added an independent suspension and disc brakes to make the Seville world class again standard.



The mechanics were just as revolutionary. The offer will be based on three engines, two petrol and one diesel. yes you are correct read - in 1980, Cadillac appeared with a diesel engine in response to the sudden popularity of the Mercedes 300SD. Although he developed only 105 hp, its total consumption was less than eight liters per hundred kilometers.



Much more attention was drawn to the one with the code designation L62. It was the engine commonly known as the V8-6-4 and, as its name, he could turn off two or four cylinders, which allowed save the owner. Although it was not overly powerful (145 horsepower out of 6-liter engine) and reliable. V8-6-4 started what u competitors will take many years to catch up with it. the only the proposed transmission was a four-speed automatic.



Of course, it is impossible not to say a few words about the design. Seville II generation was the last work of the legendary Bill Mitchell before his retirement. Mitchell joined General Motors in 1936 and for the next twenty years he worked under the great Harley Earl, whom everyone considers the most influential American car designer. Mitchell was just as successful and is credited with most of the masterpieces General Motors.



In the case of Seville, many will say that he is like any other Cadillac, which someone "chopped off the back." Actually inspiration was drawn from the Rolls-Royce brand of the thirties of the past century, as well as a little moreher modern Jaguars and Rovers. Mitchell wanted shock the audience, he definitely succeeded.

Although the trunk seemed shorter compared to its predecessor, thanks to the front-wheel drive, it became a little more spacious. Unfortunately for Cadillac buyers did not share their enthusiasm. strange style and unreliable mechanics led to the fact that in six years of production with only 198,155 units left the factory. The successor tried to combine sportiness with premium styling, aiming to appeal to younger buyers, but not quite succeeded.



To this day, public opinion is still divided on second generation. Some consider it a violation of tradition, others praise as something really special for its time, and draw conclusions themselves.