Automotive
In 1997, Cadillac unveiled the fifth generation of the Seville for the 1998 model year, marking its ambitious entry into international markets and challenging established European and Japanese luxury automakers in their home territories.
Unlike its predecessor, which served as a preliminary step towards global expansion, the 1998 Cadillac Seville was specifically designed for export markets. GM made a bold move by officially launching the vehicle in Japan and Germany, directly competing with local premium brands. Although the exterior appeared to be an updated version of the previous model, the new generation featured a completely redesigned platform with an extended wheelbase and a more compact overall length. Despite these changes, the powertrain options remained consistent with the previous generation. The 1998 Seville was offered in two distinct trim levels: the base SLS and the premium STS, each offering more than just cosmetic differences.
The 1998 Cadillac Seville showcased a refined front-end design aimed at appealing to customers. Its slim horizontal headlamps were complemented by corner-mounted turn signals and parking lights. The body-colored egg-crate grille, adorned with the Cadillac emblem at its center, was positioned between the headlamps. The vehicle retained a wrap-around plastic bumper with a lower wide air intake decorated by slim horizontal slats.
From the side profile, the 1998 Seville appeared similar to its predecessor, yet every body panel was newly designed. The automaker strategically increased the wheelbase to enhance interior space while reducing the front and rear overhangs to accommodate smaller parking spaces common in European and Japanese markets. Notable design features included a rising hood leading into a sloping panoramic windshield, a shorter roofline, and a raked rear window, all differing from the DeVille’s design. The ascending waistline and compact rear deck contributed to a sporty sedan aesthetic.
The 1998 Cadillac Seville pioneered the brand’s first left-hand and right-hand drive configurations, demonstrating GM’s commitment to entering the Japanese and British markets. The interior exuded elegance with wood trim accents and leather upholstery available across both trim levels. The driver was greeted by a curved instrument panel featuring large analog dials for the speedometer and tachometer, along with gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature, complemented by a digital display at the bottom for the odometer and onboard computer information. The center stack housed the audio system and climate controls, while the center console included the gear selector and a raised armrest with storage beneath. The extended wheelbase and front-wheel-drive layout provided generous legroom and headroom for rear passengers on the comfortable bench seat.
Under the hood, the 1998 Cadillac Seville was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, offering two distinct power outputs for the SLS and STS variants. The SLS delivered 275 hp (279 PS) to the front wheels, while the STS boasted 300 hp (305 PS). Both versions were equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. Notably, the STS model introduced the world’s first production vehicle with standard adaptive suspension (MagneRide), enabling drivers to adjust the damping firmness on the fly.
