Cadillac Eldorado Models & History 1996
The 1996 Eldorado, Cadillac’s personal luxury coupe, shared many features with the Seville.
Its closest competitor is the Lincoln Mark VIII, but the Lexus SC 300 and SC 400 fight Eldo for sales, too.
The Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) offers an even more upscale interior and sportier performance.
Like all Cadillacs except the rear-drive Brougham, Eldorado uses the Northstar System, the heart of which is a 4.6-liter V8 engine, but also includes a 4-speed automatic transmission, antilock brakes, all-speed traction control and a Road-Sensing Suspension that automatically adjusts firmness to match road conditions.
Eldorado gets 275 horsepower, while the ETC boasts 300. This sportier model gains further distinction for 1996 with a redesigned instrument panel and center console. Both Eldorados come with steering-wheel-mounted controls for the automatic climate control and sound system. The two Eldos feature different types of speed-sensitive power steering that increase effort required to turn the steering wheel at higher speeds.
Both models come with leather upholstery and driver’s-seat-position memory. The Touring Coupe also gets Cadillac’s Rainsense feature, which senses rainfall on the windshield and automatically turns on the wipers for you. With the optional voice-recognition phone (also available in other Cadillacs) you can dial, place and answer calls just by speaking. Like the Sevilles, both Eldorados feature daytime running lights, which make the car more conspicuous to other drivers. Daytime running lights had been used in Canada since 1990 and should have been used in the USA years before 1996.
- The powertrains for the Eldorado series models were carried over from the year previous.
- The Eldo coupe was again powered by the 275 horsepower Northstar 4.6-liter V-8 while the Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) again used the 300-horse Northstar engine.
- Both were mated to the 4T80-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission linked to the engine via a viscous convertor clutch.
- Final drive ratio of the Eldo was 3.11:1 while the ETC’s was 3.71:1.
- Inside the “base” coupe, the seats were redesigned to improve comfort and eight-way memory seats were available as an option (standard on ETC), with adjustability for two different drivers.
- The seats were designed to reveal a hand-crafted look through French seam stitching.
- Other new features included
- the previous dark black trim on seat and window stitches, trimplates, cluster area and radio faceplate were changed to dark gray
- the previous speed density air/fuel control system was replaced with a mass airflow sensor
- a more powerful Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was added to help reduce exhaust emissions
- the PCM being was moved from the passenger compartment to the air cleaner housing to enhance its reliability
- the “Electro-motor” electronic cruise control replaced the previous vacuum-operated system
- a new exterior color was added: Sea Mist Green
- New options for the “base” coupe included
the Dual-Mode voice-activated cell phone
- one leather seating color choice: Sea Mist Green
- When leather seating was ordered, a new lamination process was used to bond the leather to the trim pad to reduce wrinkles.
- Also new for 1996, a computer algorithm in the PCM anticipated air conditioner compressor load cycling to eliminate the driveline disturbances associated with A/C operation while driving; the Road Sensing Suspension module used wheel displacement to calculate body velocities, which eliminated the need for body accelerometers; and customer personalization of four automatic door lock configurations, battery storage and seat position were programable through the Driver Information Center (DIC).
- The ETC featured a completely redesigned interior.
- Entertainment system, climate control system and DIC controls were air integrated into a full center console.
- Relocating these controls from their previous location on the instrument panel allowed for the widening of the analog gauge cluster making it appear “international” with large speedometer and tachometer dials.
- New features of the ETC included the Dual-Mode cell phone, Rainsense Wiper System, and a traction control off switch and valet lookout button that deactivated the trunk fuel door and garage door opener functions, all located in the glovebox.
- ETC also received Magnasteer variable assist power steering as well as Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension for improved ride comfort, in the event of an airbag deployment in the ETC, interior lights were illuminated after one second and remained on for 25 minutes unless manually switched off.
- Also, automatic door locks unlocked 15 seconds after deployment.
- Standard rubber for the ETC was Goodyear Eagle RS-A P225/60R16 blackwall tires while Eagle GA P225/60ZR16 blackwalls were optional.
Series No. |
Body Style No. |
Body Type |
Factory Price |
Shipping Weight |
Production Total |
EL1 |
L57 |
2-dr. coupe |
39595 |
3766 |
20,816 |
ET1 |
T57 |
2-dr. Tour. coupe. |
42995 |
3801 |
Feature |
Eldorado |
Eldorado Touring Coupe |
Engine |
32-valve Northstar V8 90-degree, dual overhead cam |
Construction |
Aluminum-alloy block with cast iron cylinder liners and cylinder heads |
Manifold |
Composite intake manifold |
Spark plugs |
Dual-platinum tipped |
Displacement |
4565cc (i.e., 4.6 liters) (279 cu. in.) |
Bore & Stroke |
3.66 x 3.31 in |
Compression ratio |
10.3 : 1 |
Brake Horsepower |
275 @ 5600 rpm |
300 @ 6000 rpm |
Torque |
300 lb-ft. @ 4000 rpm |
295 lb.-ft @ 4400 rpm |
Valve train |
Direct acting hydraulic tappets |
Fuel supply |
Sequential-port fuel injection |
Coolant |
DEX-COOLTM long-life corrosion-inhibiting with “limp-home” engine coolant loss protection |
Exhaust |
Stainless steel exhaust system |
Feature |
Eldorado |
Eldorado Touring Coupe |
Wheelbase |
2743 mm (108.0″) |
Overall Length |
5086 mm (200.2″) |
Height |
1362 mm (53.6″) |
Width |
1918 mm (75.5″) |
Front Tread |
1546 mm (60.9″) |
Rear Tread |
1546 mm (60.9″) |
Curb Weight |
1708 kg (3765 lb.) |
1724 kg (3801 lb.) |
Luggage capacity |
435 liters (15.3 cu. ft.) |
Fuel tank capacity |
76 liters (16.7 Imp. gal.) (20 US gal.) |
Fuel Economy City/Hwy |
13.8 l/100 km – 9 l/100 km (20.4/31.2 mpg-imp) (17/26 mpg US) |
Basic Warranty, Months/Distance |
48/80,000 km (50,000 miles) |
0-96 kph (0-60 mph) |
7.8 seconds |
7.3 seconds |
Top speed |
180 kph (112 mph) |
240 kph (150 mph) |
Standard wheel |
16″ x 7″ cast-aluminum |
Optional wheel |
16″ x 7″ chrome finish cast aluminum |
Standard tires |
Michelin XW4 P225/60 SR16 all-season blackwall |
Goodyear Eagle RS-A P225/60HR16 all-season blackwall |
Optional tires |
Michelin XW4 P225/60SR16 all-season whitewall tires |
Goodyear Eagle GA P225/60ZR16 all-season performance |
Feature |
Eldorado |
Eldorado Touring Coupe |
Transmission |
AT80-E electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift control and altitude compensation |
Clutch |
Viscous converter clutch |
ATF |
“Filled-for-life” Dexron® III automatic transmission fluid |
Drive |
Front-wheel drive |
Drive axles |
Equal-length drive axles |
Final drive ratio |
3.11 : 1 |
3.71 : 1 |
Front Suspension |
4-wheel independent suspension MacPherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers and stabilizer bar and electronic variable road sensing suspension |
Independent Macpherson strut with coil springs, strut-type shock absorbers and stabilizer bar and electronic continuously variable road sensing suspension |
Rear suspension |
Fully independent short/long arm w/automatic level control and electronic variable rood sensing suspension |
Fully independent, coil springs, short/long arm w/automatic level control and electronic continuously variable road sensing suspension |
Steering |
Speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering |
Speed-sensitive MAGNASTEERTM power rack-and-pinion steering |
Control system |
Integrated chassis control system |
Brakes |
Power assisted 4-wheel disc w/Bosch anti-lock braking system |
Body Construction |
integral body-frame |
Fuel Tank |
20.0 gals. |
Exhaust |
Stainless steel exhaust system |
Feature |
Eldorado |
ETC |
Dual front air bags |
Standard |
Standard |
Intentional set front shoulder belts |
Standard |
Standard |
Programmable power door locks with anti-lockout protection |
Standard |
Standard |
Remote keyless entry system includes central door unlocking |
Standard |
Standard |
Illuminated entry system |
Standard |
Standard |
Battery run-down protection system |
Standard |
Standard |
Audible theft-deterrent system |
Standard |
Optional |
PASS-Key II personal security theft-deterrent system |
Standard |
Standard |
Daytime Running Lamps and automatic light control includes Twilight Sentinel with delay feature |
Standard |
Standard |
Wiper activated headlamps |
Standard |
Standard |
Brake/transmission shift interlock |
Standard |
Standard |
Bosch ABS5 4-wheel anti-lock brake system |
Standard |
Standard |
Bosch ASR5 full-range traction control |
Standard |
Standard |
Feature |
Eldorado |
ETC |
2-sided galvanized steel body panels (except roof) |
Standard |
Standard |
Waterborne clearcoat paint |
Standard |
Standard |
Solar-Ray tinted glass |
Standard |
Standard |
Composite tungsten-halogen headlamps with flash-to-pass |
Standard |
Standard |
Fog lamps |
Standard |
Standard |
Front cornering lamps |
Standard |
Standard |
Dual heated power remote mirrors |
Standard |
Standard |
Electrochromic driver side rearview mirror |
|
Standard |
Power antenna |
Standard |
Standard |
Feature |
Eldorado |
ETC |
2-position memory driver seat with driver logic feature |
Optional |
Standard |
4-way power lumbar adjusters |
Optional |
Standard |
Analog instrument cluster |
Optional in Sport Interior Package |
Standard |
Auto-calibrating compass mounted within inside rearview mirror |
Optional |
Optional |
Automatic climate control system |
Standard |
|
Body accent striping |
Optional |
|
Cargo convenience net |
Standard |
Standard |
Cruise control |
Standard |
Standard |
Dealer-installed cellular phone with hands free and voice recognition (portable or fixed models) |
Optional |
Optional |
Digital instrument cluster |
Standard |
|
Driver Information Center |
Standard |
Standard |
Dual-zone automatic climate control system |
Optional in Sport Interior Package |
Standard |
Electric rear window defogger |
Standard |
Standard |
Electrically heated front windshield |
Optional |
Optional |
Electrochromic driver outside rearview mirror |
Optional |
|
Electrochromic inside rearview mirror |
Standard |
Standard |
Front and rear carpeted floor mats |
Standard |
Standard |
Front bucket seats with 6-way power adjusters and power recliners |
Standard |
Standard |
Front door storage pockets |
Standard |
Standard |
Front floor console includes floor shifter |
Optional in Sport Interior Package |
Standard |
Heated front seat cushions and backs |
Standard |
Standard |
Illuminated visor vanity mirrors, includes driver storage flap |
Standard |
Standard |
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with fingertip climate and sound system controls |
Standard |
Standard |
Nuance leather seating areas |
Standard |
Standard |
Pearl Red paint finish |
Optional |
Optional |
Power astroroof with express-open feature |
Optional |
Optional |
Power remote fuel filler door release |
Standard |
Standard |
Power remote trunk release with pull down |
Standard |
Standard |
Power windows with driver express-down |
Standard |
Standard |
Rainsense variable delay windshield wiper system |
|
Standard |
Rear air controls |
Standard |
Standard |
Rear storage armrest with dual cupholders |
Standard |
Standard |
Retained accessory power |
Standard |
Standard |
Sport Interior Package, includes analog instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and floor console with shifter |
Optional |
Standard |
Sunglass storage compartment |
Standard |
Standard |
Tilt-WheelTM adjustable steering column |
Standard |
Standard |
Universal 3-channel garage door opener |
Optional |
Optional |
Variable delay windshield wipers |
Standard |
|
White Diamond paint finish |
Optional |
Optional |
Zebrano wood trim |
Standard |
Standard |
UY9 Sport int. Pkg. $146 |
Theft Deterrent Syst. (std Touring Coupe) $295 |
Elect. Compass $100 |
Garage Door Opener $107 |
Accent Striping (Eldo) $75 |
Heated Front Leather Seats $225 |
Astroroof $1,550 |
Heated Windshield $377 |
Leather Seating (std Touring Coupe) $785 |
Dual Pwr Lumbar Support (std Touring Coupe) $292 |
Memory Driver’s Seat (std Touring Coupe) $235 |
Electrochromic Auto Day/Night Driver’s Side Mirror (std Touring Coupe) $87 |
White Diamond Paint $500 |
Pearl Red Paint $500 |
Bose Sound Syst. w/Cassette $723: |
Bose Sound Syst. w/Cassette & CD Changer $1,318 |
Bose Sound Syst. w/Digital Signal Processing $1,513 |
P225/60R16 WSW Tires (Eldo) $76 |
P225/60ZR16 BSW Tires (Touring Coupe) $250 |
Chrome wheels $1,195. |