The Seville was Cadillac’s answer to the similar, more efficient European luxury cars of the mid 1970s that were eating significantly into its market. In the midst of a fuel crisis, it signaled a move away from the dinosaurs of the past. The Seville was notably shorter than any of its predecessors, and was styled with a deliberate restraint that gave it almost European flavor. Although hardly nimble, the Seville was far less ungainly than the full size models, and with its down sized 5.7 liter V8 engine (an Oldsmobile unit) it could manage a respectable 15 mpg (19 liters/ 100 km) and 115 mph (184 km/h). Later, there was even a diesel version, the first oil burning Cadillac ever, but there were few other technical innovations. However, the Seville drivers did not feel that they were being short changed. The interior featured at the power operation for the seats and windows found on larger Cadillacs, plus a trip commuter for calculating fuel consumption. Leather or cloth offered a lot for a car of its size. It had a power of 170 bhp with Monocoque chassis along with the Disc/ drum brakes. Fully three speed automatic transmission, with independent front live axle rear.
The model proved a huge success, and set the agenda for a whole raft, smaller Cadillacs in the 1980s. the Seville itself became the bizarre Elegente in 1979, and found itself with a razor edged bustle back styling reminiscent of a post war Daimler or Rolls Royce. The Seville name still survives today, on a new generation of front wheel drive Cadillacs.
