Cadillac Allante: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Cadillac Allante catalogue covers one Cabrio generation produced from 1987 to 1996, with three versions: 4.1 AT, 4.5 AT, and 4.6 AT. The choice is straightforward on paper. The 4.6 AT is the performance option, producing 299 hp and reaching 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
The Cadillac Allante catalogue covers one Cabrio generation produced from 1987 to 1996, with three versions: 4.1 AT, 4.5 AT, and 4.6 AT. The choice is straightforward on paper. The 4.6 AT is the performance option, producing 299 hp and reaching 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The 4.5 AT occupies the middle ground with 204 hp and an 8-second acceleration time, while the 4.1 AT offers 172 hp and takes 9.4 seconds. Fuel-consumption figures are not measured for any version, so economy cannot be used to identify a clear winner.
Cadillac Allante generation and version differences
The Cadillac Allante has one generation in the supplied catalogue, spanning 1987–1996. It is listed exclusively as a Cabrio and contains three versions. There is consequently no comparison between multiple Allante generations to make: every available engine and performance choice belongs to the same generation.
All three versions use a naturally aspirated Gasoline engine, distributed injection (multi-point), an 8-cylinder V-shaped layout, and a 4-speed Automatic gearbox. The 4.1 AT and 4.5 AT are listed with FWD, whereas the 4.6 AT is listed with RWD. This drive-layout distinction is one of the most substantial differences between the three catalogue entries.
Cadillac Allante engine options and specs
| Version | Displacement | Power | Torque | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Valves per cylinder | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 AT | 4,087 cc | 172 hp (126 kW) at 4,300 rpm | 319 Nm at 3,200 rpm | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | 2 | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 4.5 AT | 4,467 cc | 204 hp (150 kW) at 4,400 rpm | 366 Nm at 3,200 rpm | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | 2 | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 4.6 AT | 4,565 cc | 299 hp (220 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 393 Nm at 4,400 rpm | Gasoline, 95 | 8, V-shaped | 4 | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 4.1 AT produces approximately 42.1 hp per litre. The 4.5 AT raises specific output to approximately 45.7 hp per litre, while the 4.6 AT reaches approximately 65.5 hp per litre. Thus, the 4.6 AT delivers about 19.8 more hp per litre than the 4.5 AT, despite having only 98 cc more displacement.
Moving from the 4.1 AT to the 4.5 AT adds 32 hp and 47 Nm while increasing displacement by 380 cc. Moving from the 4.5 AT to the 4.6 AT adds 95 hp and 27 Nm for an increase of just 98 cc. The 4.6 AT also changes from 2 to 4 valves per cylinder, raises the compression ratio from 9 to 10.3, and switches the listed drive system from FWD to RWD.
Compared directly with the 4.1 AT, the 4.6 AT provides 127 additional hp and 74 additional Nm. Its peak output arrives higher in the rev range: maximum power is specified at 6,000 rpm rather than 4,300 rpm, while maximum torque occurs at 4,400 rpm rather than 3,200 rpm.
Cadillac Allante performance, top speed, and fuel economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 AT | 9.4 s | 192 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.5 AT | 8.0 s | 210 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 4.6 AT | 6.9 s | 240 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The performance hierarchy is consistent across both acceleration and maximum speed. The 4.5 AT reaches 100 km/h 1.4 seconds sooner than the 4.1 AT and has an 18 km/h higher top speed. The 4.6 AT is another 1.1 seconds quicker than the 4.5 AT and adds 30 km/h to maximum speed.
Across the complete range, the difference between the 4.1 AT and 4.6 AT is 2.5 seconds in the 0–100 km/h test and 48 km/h in top speed. Buyers prioritizing the strongest acceleration and highest specified speed therefore have an unambiguous choice in the 4.6 AT.
City, highway, and combined fuel-consumption figures are not measured for all three versions. CO₂ output and environmental class are also not measured. Claims about which Cadillac Allante engine uses less fuel cannot be supported by the supplied specifications.
Cadillac Allante dimensions, weight, and capacity
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 AT | 1,585 kg | not measured | 145 mm | 76 L | not measured |
| 4.5 AT | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 76 L | not measured |
| 4.6 AT | 1,700 kg | not measured | 145 mm | 76 L | not measured |
The 4.6 AT is 115 kg heavier than the 4.1 AT. Nevertheless, its much greater output gives it approximately 5.7 kg per horsepower, compared with approximately 9.2 kg per horsepower for the 4.1 AT. In other words, although the listed 4.6 AT carries more weight, each horsepower has about 3.5 kg less mass to move.
A weight-per-horsepower calculation is not possible for the 4.5 AT because its kerb weight is not measured. Gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured for any of the three versions. Overall exterior dimensions are likewise not measured, so version-specific length, width, and height cannot be compared responsibly.
The specifications that remain constant are 145 mm of ground clearance and a 76 L fuel tank. Each version also has Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes, and Disc rear brakes.
Which Cadillac Allante version should you choose?
Choose the 4.6 AT if performance is the deciding factor. Its 299 hp output exceeds the 4.5 AT by 95 hp and the 4.1 AT by 127 hp. It also has the quickest 0–100 km/h time at 6.9 seconds and the highest top speed at 240 km/h. Its 4-valve-per-cylinder engine, 10.3 compression ratio, and RWD specification further distinguish it from the other two versions.
Choose the 4.5 AT if you want the middle specification. Its 204 hp and 366 Nm place it between the other engines, as do its 8-second acceleration time and 210 km/h maximum speed. It retains the 2-valve-per-cylinder arrangement and FWD layout of the 4.1 AT, but provides 32 more hp, 47 more Nm, and quicker acceleration.
Choose the 4.1 AT if the lowest-output specification is acceptable. It produces 172 hp and 319 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds, and has a maximum speed of 192 km/h. At 1,585 kg, it is 115 kg lighter than the 4.6 AT, although its power-to-weight calculation is less favorable.
No version can be recommended on price, fuel economy, parts availability, reliability, or maintenance cost because those figures are not present in the supplied data. Based strictly on measurable catalogue specifications, the 4.6 AT is the strongest buy for performance, the 4.5 AT is the numerical middle choice, and the 4.1 AT is the lighter but least powerful option.