"If you think the Northstar
System is just a highly sophisticated, powerful V8 engine, you're only partially
right. It's an integrated system
that includes ABS, traction control,
road-sensing suspension and continuous speed-sensitive, variable-assist power
steering, called Magnasteer.. all "communicating" with eachother, and
maximizing performance. Northstar also makes Eldorado Touring Coupe the
most powerful front-wheel-drive production coupe in the world. It's been
lauded by virtually every automobile publication in print.
Celebrated for innovations like Magnasteer and the chassis' ability to
"Read" road surfaces and adjust accordingly. Eldorado makes thousands
of decisions every second. Drive it like you mean it. The Northstar System
loves that kind of thing." --Cadillac
Specifications:
| Engine | |
| Alternator (amp) | 140 |
| Bore x Stroke (in./mm) | 3.66 x 3.31 / 93.0 x 84.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Cylinder Head | Aluminum |
| Displacement (in3/cm3) | 279 / 4565 |
| Emission Control | MAF, linear EGR, OBD II, catalyst |
| Engine Block | Die-cast, open deck, aluminum with cast iron cylinder liners |
| Engine Type | 4.6L DOHC V8 |
| Horsepower (bhp/kW @ rpm) | 300 / 224 @ 6000 |
| Ignition System | Crank-triggered direct fire |
| Induction System | Sequential tuned port fuel injection |
| Recommended Fuel | Unleaded |
| Redline (rpm) | 6700 |
| Torque (lb.-ft/N· @ rpm) | 295 / 400 @ 4400 |
| Valvetrain | 2-stage chain-driven double overhead camshafts, direct acting hydraulic roller follower, 4 valves per cyclinder |
| Driveline | ||
| Drive System Type | Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive | |
| Gear Ratios | ||
| 1st | 2.96:1 | |
| 2nd | 1.63:1 | |
| 3rd | 1.00:1 | |
| 4th | 0.68:1 | |
| Reverse | 2.13:1 | |
| Overall Final Drive Ratio | 3.71:1 | |
| Transmission | Hydra-matic 4T80-E electronically controlled 4-speed automatic w/overdrive and viscous-type torque converted clutch | |
| Chassis/Suspension | ||
| Braking System | Power assisted four-wheel disc ABS road texture detection | |
| Front Disc Size (dia. x thick.) (in./mm) |
11.85 x 1.26 / 301 x 32 | |
| Rear
Disc Size (dia. x thick.) (in./mm) |
10.94 x .43 / 278 x 11 | |
| Shock Absorbers | Front and rear electronic continuously variable RSS | |
| Stabilizer Bar Diameter (in./mm) | ||
| Front | .83 / 21 | |
| Rear | .63 / 16 | |
| Steering Ratio | 14.1:1 on center | |
| SteeringType | Magnasteer™ variable-assist speed sensitive steering, rack and pinion | |
| SteeringWheel Turns | ||
| lock-to-lock | 2.83 | |
| Suspension | ||
| Front | Fully independent MacPherson strut, steel coil spring (rate: 24 N·m) | |
| Rear | Fully independent, short/long arm (rate: 24 N·m), automatic level control | |
| Tires | Goodyear Eagle Mud and Snow P235/45HR17 | |
| Standard | All season Mud & Snow blackwall Goodyear Eagle RS-A P235/60R16 H-rated | |
| Optional | Goodyear Eagle GA P235/60ZR16 | |
| Traction Control System | Full range (all speed) | |
| Turning Circle, Curb-to-Curb (ft./M) | 40.35 / 12.3 | |
| Turning Circle, Wall-to-Wall (ft./M) | 42.0 / 12.8 | |
| Wheels, Five-spoke Design (in./mm) | ||
| Standard | 16 x 7 / 406 x 178 cast aluminum | |
| Optional | 16 x 7 / 406 x 178 chrome/painted | |
| Body/Exterior Dimension | ||
| Body Type | Integral body-frame | |
| Curb Weight (lb./kg) | 3876 / 1758 | |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.33 | |
| Ground Clearance, Minium (in./mm) | 5.8 / 148 | |
| Height, Overall (in./mm) | 53.6 / 1361.5 | |
| Length, over (in./mm | 200.6 / 5095 | |
| Overhand (in./mm) | ||
| Front | 45.6 / 1158 | |
| Rear | 47.0 / 1195 | |
| Tread (in./mm) | ||
| Front | 60.9 / 1546 | |
| Read | 60.9 / 1546 | |
| Vehicle Type | 5-passenger, 2-door coupe | |
| Weight Distribution (%, front/rear) | 64 / 36 | |
| Wheelbase (in./mm) | 108 / 2743 | |
| Width, Overall (in./mm) | 75.5 / 1918.4 | |
| Interior Dimensions | |||
| Front | Rear | ||
| Head Room (in./mm) | 37.8 / 961 | 38.3 / 972 | |
| Hip Room (in./mm) | 57.6 / 1464 | 55.7 /1416 | |
| Knee Clearance (in./mm) | - - | 2.4 / 62 | |
| Leg Room (in./mm) | 42.6 / 1081 | 35.5 / 901 | |
| Shoulder Room (in./mm) | 58.2 / 1478 | 57.6 / 1463 | |
| Vehicle Class | Mid-size | ||
| Volume (ft3/L) | |||
| EPA Interior (inc. trunk) | 114.86 / 3252.5 | ||
| Interior Cabin | 99.56 / 2819 | ||
| Capacities | |
| Battery (volts/cca) | 12 / 770 |
| Cooling System (qt./L) | 12.5 / 11.8 |
| Fuel Tank (gal./L) | 19.0 / 71.9 |
| Oil (qt./L) | 7.0 / 6.62 |
| Tire Inflation Pressures (psi/kPa) | 30 / 30 |
| Towing Capacity (lbs./kg) | 1000 / 453.6 |
| Trunk (ft3/L) | 15.3 / 435 |
| Performance | ||
| Cruising Range (miles/km) | 520 / 837 | |
| Fuel Economy, EPA Rating | ||
| City/Hwy (mpg) | 17 / 26 | |
| City/Hwy (km/L) | 7 / 11 | |
| Top Speed (mph/kPh) | 150 / 241* | |
| 0-60 mph (0-96 kPh) Acceleration (sec) | 7.1 | |
Timeline
| 1992 |
The Northstar engine was introduced as the first step in what eventually became the Northstar System. The 4.6-liter, 32-valve V8 was first installed in the Allanté and became available in other front-wheel-drive Cadillacs a year later.
|
| 1993 | Road-sensing suspension (RSS) and speed-sensitive steering were introduced as part of the Northstar System for the Allanté. RSS used a high-speed computer that determined damping requirements once every millisecond to give a soft ride under normal circumstances, switching to firm as needed to control individual wheel and body motions. Speed-sensitive steering provided increased steering feel at highway speeds while giving easy parking and maneuverability around town. |
| 1995 |
An integrated chassis control system (ICCS) was added to the Northstar System. This system shared sensor inputs for the road-sensing suspension, Bosch ASR5 antilock braking system and traction control, to improve ride and handling with better braking control.
|
| 1996 |
Continuously variable road-sensing suspension (CVRSS) and Magnasteer debuted. An evolution of road-sensing suspension, CVRSS provides an infinite range of damping settings, from boulevard soft to race car firm. Magnasteer is a speed-sensitive steering system that provides just the right amount of steering assist for a wide range of driving conditions.
|
| 1997 |
OnStar, a revolutionary communications service, was introduced in the United States as an option on all front-wheel-drive Cadillac models. OnStar combines global positioning system (GPS) technology, cellular telephone communications and a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year customer assistance center in an integrated system. OnStar can assist the driver in an emergency situation, provide navigation help, unlock car doors by remote control and provide a range of useful concierge services. "StabiliTrak" was introduced on Seville STS, Eldorado Touring Coupe and DeVille Concours to provide more secure handling during cornering and emergency maneuvers. Two directional sensors, a yaw rate sensor and lateral acceleration sensor work with the car's suspension, steering, anti-lock brake system and traction control system to determine what the driver intends to do. If the car doesn't respond as expected, the StabiliTrak computer sends commands to the car's traction control and brakes to help keep the car on the intended course. |
StabiliTrak is the most advanced integrated stability control system in the world. The improvements on this enhanced version include side-slip rate control and active steering effort compensation.
Introduced on three performance-oriented Cadillac models StabiliTrak provides an important safety advance by helping the driver maintain control during emergency or evasive maneuvers. StabiliTrak works by comparing the driver’s intentions (indicated by steering wheel position) with how the vehicle is responding. Three key sensors keep the ABS and traction control computer informed: one reads steering wheel angle, another reports the vehicle’s lateral acceleration and the third measures yaw rate (rotational velocity about a vertical axis through the car’s center of gravity). Information is also gathered from vehicle speed.
If the vehicle’s dynamic response does not agree with the direction the driver is steering, StabiliTrak goes to work by selectively applying the individual front brakes to help keep the car on the intended course. If the car is slipping wide of the desired path in a turn, applying the inside brake helps the vehicle turn tighter. In case of diminished traction at the rear causing the tail of the car to drift wide, activating the outside-front brake gently nudges the car back in line. StabiliTrak is automatic and requires no additional driver action. In most cases, the driver probably won’t even notice the helping hand from this technically sophisticated system.
Respected car critics have called StabiliTrak one of the greatest active safety advancements since four-wheel anti-lock brakes. Unlike stability control systems from other manufacturers, Cadillac’s system maintains the driver’s ability to apply throttle in StabiliTrak maneuvers.
Magnasteer variable-assist, speed-sensitive power rack and pinion steering system uses a variable magnetic field to increase or decrease steering effort as needed. As a result, the range of adjustability is greater and has no steps or irregularities in the boost curves. For quick response, Seville uses a straight 14.8:1 steering gear ratio rather than a variable ratio.
An enhanced feature of Magnasteer is sensitivity to lateral acceleration. When sensors determine the cornering rate is up, steering effort is automatically increased to enhance the driver’s road feel.
