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1993 Cadillac Allante - 54,000 original KM |
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Priced at only $32,900 U.S. Fully Certified and e-tested. 1993 Cadillac Allante: Major changes went beneath the hood of the 1993 model, which went on sale in January 1992. Cadillac installed its 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine, which also went into the '93 Eldorado and Seville. The new dual-overhead-cam V8 made 95 more horsepower than its overhead-valve predecessor and drove a new electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission. A new traction control system could simultaneously apply the brakes or shut down engine cylinders, to minimize front-tire spin. It worked at any speed. Previous traction control had acted upon braking only, and was inactive above about 30 mph. A new Road Sensing Suspension had sensors at each wheel, to "read" the road by measuring wheel position and body motion, automatically adjusting suspension damping. The system reacted in fractions of a second and replaced a simpler Speed Dependent Damping system that switched among three firmness settings according to vehicle speed. The rear suspension was redesigned and new all-season tires were rated to 155 mph. Also new were one-piece door glass, redesigned seats, an eight-speaker audio system, and a new console module with a dual fold-out cupholder. Despite the many improvements, Cadillac's 2-seater faded away after the '93 model year. Acceleration got a notable boost in 1993 with the new Northstar engine. Cadillac claimed the '93 Allante could reach 60 mph in under six seconds, and the car actually did feel muscle-car quick. The smooth Northstar V8 launches the roadster smartly and pulls strongly well past 100 mph. Some drivers might ask for more immediate response to throttle inputs in the 25-55 mph range, but the electronic automatic does its part with quick, unobtrusive shifts. The '93 Road Sensing Suspension balances ride comfort with stability and adroit control in even the most demanding driving. The one-piece door glass introduced for that final year allowed the side mirrors to be placed father forward for greatly improved visibility. Wider new seats in final models don't support as well in fast turns, but they're softer and more comfortable for more body shapes. Nice touches in late models included the "metaphoric" power seat control and nifty four-way power lumbar adjustment. Drawbacks, even for the final models, included the lack of a power top, and too many look-alike dashboard buttons. Allantes improved considerably after their 1987 debut, but body rigidity lags behind that of a Mercedes-Benz SL convertible. Interested parties please contact Jim Thomson (705)445-5222
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