Cadillac Seville History 1998

In a departure from previous years when the Seville basically mirrored the refinements found on the Eldorado, for 1998, the prestige-luxury sedan was exclusively redesigned as well as being positioned as Cadillac’s leading-edge “global market” product.

• To back up this world-product positioning, the 1998 Seville was introduced at both the Frankfurt (Germany) and Tokyo auto shows in the fall of 1997.
• Both the Seville Luxury Sedan (SLS) and Seville Touring Sedan (STS) again comprised the lineup.
• The SLS was again powered by the 275-horsepower version of the Northstar 4.6-liter V-8 while the STS used the more powerful 300-horse Northstar version.
• Both engines again were paired with the 4T80-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with viscous converter clutch.
• Additionally, the STS was programmed for performance shifting via sensors in the vehicle, including the lateral acceleration sensor from StabiliTrak which was standard equipment on 1998 Sevilles.
• These sensors evaluated the driver’s intentions and programmed the transmission to respond like a manual gearbox during enthusiastic driving.
• The Seville was computer-designed to meet all world standards for front, side and rear impact, as well as those for roof crush resistance and offset crashes
• A one-piece floor panel extended from the front of the dash to the rear of the trunk, minimizing joints and seams
• The interior body side rings were stamped from a single laser-welded blank, saving weight and improving build quality
• A pair of hydroformed tubes swept up from the base of the windshield into the roof and back down to the rear wheel wells.
• These tubes helped form a safety cage around the passenger compartment, while improving torsional and beaming stiffness of the body structure.
• Compared to the previous year’s sedan, the 1998 Seville’s overall length decreased from 204.1 inches to 201 inches while its wheelbase increased from 111 inches to 112.2 inches.
• Track was also increased from 60.9 inches front and rear to 62.7 inches and 62.3 inches. respectively.
• This wider stance contributed to Seville’s 120.4 cubic feet of interior space.
• Up front Seville featured projection-beam headlamps that included a rectangular high beam.
• Parking lights had an optical surface in the middle to focus light in the proper location.
• The previously used bumper guards were deleted and the vertical height of the grille was decreased, making it appear wider
• The SLS sedan’s grille was bright-finished in silver with a chrome edging and contained an integral full color wreath-and-crest emblem.
• The STS sedan’s grille was body color with an argent monochrome integral wreath-and-crest emblem.
• Foglamps were positioned in the lower grille on the STS while the SLS used extended horizontal bars to cover that area
• The Seville’s hood featured a power-dome to enhance the image of the Northstar V-8.
• A high decklid was retained at the rear, which improved both aerodynamics and trunk space.
• A subtle rocker panel deflector ahead of the rear wheels added functional character as well as eliminating aero drag.

• The Seville’s coefficient of drag was 0.31.
• The wheels on the SLS had a larger, more aggressive look while those on the STS featured a more open, spoke design to reveal large-capacity brakes.
• Seville featured Bosch 5.0 four-channel anti-lock braking and all-speed traction control as standard fare.
• Seville also featured a smart’ electrical system based on 16 electronic control modules linked together into a network capable of transferring data at 10,400 bytes per second.
• Inside, the SLS featured printed leather inserts for seat and door trim while the STS continued to use fine-perforated leather trim panels for seats and doors.
• Task-oriented lighting in the Seville reduced glare and maximized visibility.
• Seville’s new instrumentation used a fluorescent light to provide high-definition illumination, The STS sedan’s steering wheel (optional on SLS) had a power tilt and telescope feature, The shifter moved through a new serpentine gate for positive selection of the desired gear.
• The parking brake released automatically when the car was shifted from park.
• To reduce interior noise, the Seville used 5mm-thick door glass and doors sealed with triple rubber seals.
• New standard equipment on the Seville included Magnasteer ill speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering and Pass-Key III theft deterrent system.
• The OnStar in-vehicle communications system was optional equipment on both the SLS and STS.
• Also, a high-performance Bose 4.0 425-watt eight-speaker stereo system (including RDS and weather band) was standard on the STS and optional on the SLS.
• Additionally, the STS was the first car to offer adaptive seating technology as optional equipment.
• Adaptive seating, via a network of 10 air cells located in the front bucket seats.
• Automatically recognized occupant position and adjusted the seats support to custom-fit every individual.