Cadillac Allanté

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Cadillac Allanté
Early Cadillac Allanté
Manufacturer General Motors
Pininfarina
Production 1987–1993
Successor Cadillac XLR
Class Luxury roadster
Body style(s) 2-door convertible
Platform FF V-body
Engine(s) 4.1 L HT-4100 V8
4.5 L HT-4500 V8
4.6 L Northstar V8
Transmission(s) 4-speed 4T60 automatic
4-speed 4T80 automatic
Wheelbase 99.4 in (2525 mm)
Length 178.7 in (4539 mm)
Width 73.4 in (1864 mm)
Height 51.5 in (1308 mm)
Curb weight 3720 lb (1687 kg)
Related Buick Reatta
Buick Riviera
Cadillac Eldorado
Oldsmobile Toronado

The Cadillac Allanté was Cadillac's first venture into the ultra-luxury roadster market and was sold from 1987 through 1993.

Contents

[edit] Development and production

Originally designed under the code name "Callisto", the Allanté was intended to restore Cadillac to its position as a credible competitor to the Mercedes-Benz SL. Its chassis and engine were originally taken from the Cadillac Eldorado, though it also shared components with the Buick Reatta, Riviera and the Oldsmobile Toronado.

The body of the Allanté was designed and built in Italy by Pininfarina of Ferrari fame[1]. The completed bodies were shipped to the USA in specially equipped Boeing 747s, 56 at a time[1]; at Cadillac's assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan the body was mated to the chassis[1]. This led to a few interesting nicknames, such as "The Flying Italian Cadillac" and "the world's longest assembly line." 21,000 Allantés were built.

The Allanté was initially priced at US$54,000, far above the price of any other contemporary Cadillac. Today's Cadillac XLR, also a convertible roadster, at roughly $70,000 is similarly priced at the top of the Cadillac range.

The car's front-wheel drive (FWD) powertrain was unique in its class, and brought the car in for serious criticism. FWD was rare among high-priced sports car, as the setup's frequent tendency towards understeer under heavy cornering, torque steer under heavy acceleration, and a poor front-rear weight balance is not desirable. The Mercedes 560SL — along with the rest of the Allanté's competitors — was rear-wheel drive. Many car magazines and auto enthusiast argued that no sports car, let alone one at the Allanté's price, should have been FWD.[citation needed] Early reviews cited Pininfarina and not Cadillac as the source of this decision, saying they felt it would make the car more versatile. Additionally, poor power-to-weight ratio in the early years also made the car perform sluggishly. This lead the target market to conclude that by offering an underpowered car at over $50,000 with no engine upgrade option, Cadillac was not serious in competing in the performance roadster market. This initial impression gave the Allanté an image ("all show, no go") from which it was never able to recover.

[edit] Specifications

The car was originally specified with a port fuel injected version of Cadillac's aluminum 4.1 L HT-4100 V8. The car originally used an independent strut-based suspension system front and rear. Four-wheel disc brakes were also standard.

Power was up in 1989 with the new 4.5 L V8 which produced 200 hp (149 kW) at 4300 rpm and 270 ft·lbf (366 N·m) at 3200 rpm. The 1989 Allanté also received a new speed-sensitive damper system called Speed Dependent Damping Control, or SD²C. This system firmed up the suspension at 25 mph (40 km/h) and again at 60 mph (97 km/h). The firmest setting was also used when starting from a standstill until 5 mph (8 km/h). Another change was a variable-assist steering system.

1993 Cadillac Allanté with single-piece windows and revised seats
1993 Cadillac Allanté with single-piece windows and revised seats

Few other changes were made until 1993, the final model year. Introduced in early 1992, the 1993 Allanté received the 4.6 L Northstar DOHC V8. This engine was initially rated at 290 hp (216 kW), but Cadillac upped the rating to 295 hp (220 kW) at 5600 rpm by the time the first models were sold. Torque output was 290 ft·lbf (393 N·m) at 4400 rpm. A new unequal-length control arm rear suspension, shared with the Seville and Eldorado, was also introduced that year, improving handling. Also new for the small Cadillacs was Road Sensing Suspension, an active damper management system, and improved disc brakes. Other changes for the Allanté included a variable-assist power steering rack, deeper front spoiler, and single-piece side windows.

A 1992 comparison test of the Northstar-powered Allanté by Car and Driver placed it above the Jaguar XJS V12 convertible and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Although the car got big points for its new engine, it was criticized for its handling, which was the result of its front wheel drive layout. Ultimately, it was the rapid rise in the retail price of its competitors that won the test for Cadillac. At that time, the Allanté's $64,843 as-tested price seemed a bargain compared with the $71,888 Jaguar and $90,335 Mercedes-Benz.

[edit] Specifications Table

Year Engine Transmission Power Torque 0–60 mph (97 km/h) 0–100 mph (161 km/h) 0–.25 mi (0.4 km) Top speed Braking from 70 mph (113 km/h)
1987–1988 4.1 L HT-4100 V8 4-speed F-7 auto 170 hp (127 kW) 235 ft·lbf (319 N·m)
1989–1992 4.5 L HT-4500 V8 200 hp (149 kW) 270 ft·lbf (366 N·m) 7.9 26.3 16.3 at 83 mph (134 km/h) 122 mph (196 km/h) 183 ft (56 m)
1993 4.6 L Northstar L37 V8 4-speed 4T80-E auto 295 hp (220 kW) 290 ft·lbf (393 N·m) 6.4 17.7 15.0 at 93 mph (150 km/h) 140 mph (225 km/h) 189 ft (58 m)

[edit] Production numbers

  • 1987 - 3,363
  • 1988 - 2,569
  • 1989 - 3,296
  • 1990 - 3,101
  • 1991 - 2,500
  • 1992 - 1,931
  • 1993 - 4,670
  • Total: 21,430

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Daniel Charles Ross. "Cadillac Allanté". Motor Trend (February 1989): 88–93. 
  • Kevin Smith. "Cadillac Allanté, Jaguar XJS, Mercedes 300SL". Car and Driver (July 1992). 
  • Don Schroeder. "Cadillac Allanté Northstar Preview". Car and Driver (February 1992). 
  • Eric Peters Automotive Atrocities-cars we love to hate

[edit] External links

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