Cadillac Eldorado — Generations, Specs & Review

Cadillac Eldorado: which version to buy

If the question is which Cadillac Eldorado to choose, the numbers split the field into three jobs. For the fastest measured 0–100 km/h and the highest North-Star-era horsepower, take the tenth-generation (1992–2002) Coupe 4.6 AT at 304 hp: 7.2 s, 248 km/h, 66.6 hp per litre. For the highest horsepower, torque, and the lightest kilograms per horsepower in the whole catalogue, take the sixth-generation (1967–1970) Coupe Hardtop 8.2 AT at 405 hp and 746 Nm (5.28 kg/hp at 2140 kg). For an open Cabrio with more power than any later convertible in the table, the third-generation (1957–1959) 6.4 AT at 345 hp (53.9 hp per litre) sits above the fourth- and fifth-generation 7.0 AT at 340 hp despite a smaller 6400 cm³ engine. There is no 2026 Eldorado in these data, no length in metres, no mpg, and no sale price — those searches cannot be answered from this catalogue.

The model covers ten generations from 1953-01-01 to 2002-12-31: Cabrio in generations 1–5 and 7–8, Coupe Hardtop in generation 6, Coupe in generations 9–10. Drive flips from RWD (generations 1–6) to FWD (generations 7–10). Every listed version is Automatic; boost is No where measured. Fuel consumption (city, highway, combined), CO2, eco class, wheel size, and most tank figures are not measured. Reliability and typical faults are not measured.

Generations: what actually changed when you pick one over another

10 generation (1992–2002), Coupe, 4 versions. This is the only generation with three 4.6 AT Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder, 4-valve, 4565 cm³, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 10.3, bore/stroke 93 × 84, FWD, 4-speed Automatic, 76 L tank, 150 mm clearance, Independent, spring front and rear. They differ by output: 273 hp (201 kW at 5600 rpm, 407 Nm at 4000 rpm), 299 hp (220 kW at 6000 rpm, 393 Nm at 4400 rpm), 304 hp (224 kW at 6000 rpm, 400 Nm at 4400 rpm). The fourth version is 4.9 AT 204 hp (150 kW at 4100 rpm, 373 Nm at 3000 rpm, 4893 cm³, 2 valves, compression 9.5, 92 × 92). Rear brakes: Ventilated disc front on all four; rear Disc on 273 hp and 304 hp 4.6 AT, Drum on 299 hp 4.6 AT and on 4.9 AT.

9 generation (1986–1991), Coupe, 3 versions. Still Coupe, FWD, 4-speed Automatic, Independent, spring, 76 L, 150 mm, Disc front and rear, fuel 92 except the 4.9 AT. 4.5 AT 155 hp (114 kW, 4467 cm³, 2 valves, compression 9, 92 × 84) — rpm for peak power, torque, 0–100, top speed, and kerb weight are not measured. 4.9 AT 200 hp (147 kW at 4100 rpm, 373 Nm at 3000 rpm, 4892 cm³, fuel 95). 4.1 AT 170 hp (125 kW at 4100 rpm, 300 Nm at 2500 rpm, 4080 cm³, 4 valves); injection, compression, and bore/stroke not measured; 0–100 9.6 s; top speed 175 km/h; gross weight 1680 kg; kerb weight not measured.

8 generation (1979–1985), Cabrio, 3 versions. Body becomes Cabrio; gearbox drops to 3-speed Automatic; clearance 140 mm (−10 mm vs generations 9–10); rear suspension Independent, pneumatic; tank, 0–100, top speed, and kerb weight not measured; rear brakes not measured. 5.7 AT Gasoline 188 hp (138 kW at 3800 rpm, 407 Nm at 2400 rpm, 5733 cm³, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 2 valves, 9.8, 101.6 × 88.4, fuel 92). 5.7 AT Diesel 105 hp (77 kW, 278 Nm, 5700 cm³) — rpm, valves, injection, compression, bore/stroke not measured; fuel Diesel. 4.1 AT 135 hp (99 kW at 4400 rpm, 319 Nm at 3200 rpm, 4100 cm³, 4 valves, fuel 98, 88 × 84). The Diesel 5.7 AT is the only Diesel in all ten generations.

7 generation (1971–1979), Cabrio, 3 versions. FWD continues; engine position Front, longitudinal (measured here). Two listings named 7.0 AT share 180 hp (134 kW at 4000 rpm, 433 Nm at 2000 rpm, 7000 cm³, Gasoline, V-shaped 8, 3-speed Automatic); one lists 2 valves, the other has valves not measured; both list top speed 190 km/h. 8.2 AT 218 hp (160 kW at 3600 rpm, 543 Nm at 2000 rpm, 8200 cm³); valves not measured; top speed not measured. Boost, injection, compression, fuel grade, 0–100, tank, weights, clearance, rear suspension, rear brakes: not measured. Front brakes Drum (later generations use Disc or Ventilated disc).

6 generation (1967–1970), Coupe Hardtop, 3 versions. Last RWD generation in the table and the only Coupe Hardtop. Carburetor, Front, longitudinal, 3-speed Automatic, 2 valves, boost No. 7.0 AT 345 hp (254 kW at 4600 rpm, 651 Nm at 3000 rpm, 7025 cm³, 10.5, 104.9 × 101.6, 9.0 s, 200 km/h, 2130 kg). 7.7 AT 380 hp (279 kW at 4400 rpm, 712 Nm at 3000 rpm, 7729 cm³, 10.5, 109.2 × 103.1, 8.5 s, 206 km/h, 2160 kg). 8.2 AT 405 hp (298 kW at 4400 rpm, 746 Nm at 3000 rpm, 8194 cm³, 10.0, 109.2 × 109.3, 8.0 s, 208 km/h, 2140 kg). Fuel grade, tank, clearance, rear suspension: not measured. Front Disc, rear Drum.

5 generation (1965–1966), Cabrio, 1 version. 7.0 AT 340 hp (254 kW, 7000 cm³, Gasoline, V-shaped 8, 3-speed Automatic, RWD). Rpm, torque, valves, boost, injection, compression, 0–100, top speed, weights, tank, wheels: not measured.

4 generation (1960–1965), Cabrio, 2 versions. 7.0 AT 340 hp (254 kW, 7000 cm³, 3-speed). 6.4 AT 325 hp (242 kW, 6400 cm³, 4-speed Automatic). The 15 hp gap is the whole measured difference; 0–100, top speed, torque, weights: not measured.

3 generation (1957–1959), Cabrio, 1 version. 6.4 AT 345 hp (257 kW, 6400 cm³, 4-speed Automatic, RWD). Same displacement as generation 4 6.4 AT, +20 hp and +15 kW.

2 generation (1954–1956) and 1 generation (1953), Cabrio, 1 version each. Both 5.4 AT 190 hp (142 kW, 5400 cm³, 4-speed Automatic, RWD). Generation 1 lasts one calendar year (1953-01-01 to 1953-12-31). Measured specs for the two 5.4 AT listings match; torque, 0–100, top speed, weight: not measured.

Engines and specs

Version names below are exactly as in the database. Same names are split by horsepower.

Generation	Years	Body	Version	hp	kW	Nm	cm³	Fuel	Cyl / layout	Boost	Gearbox / gears	Drive
10	1992–2002	Coupe	4.6 AT	273	201	407	4565	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
10	1992–2002	Coupe	4.6 AT	299	220	393	4565	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
10	1992–2002	Coupe	4.6 AT	304	224	400	4565	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
10	1992–2002	Coupe	4.9 AT	204	150	373	4893	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
9	1986–1991	Coupe	4.5 AT	155	114	not measured	4467	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
9	1986–1991	Coupe	4.9 AT	200	147	373	4892	Gasoline, 95	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
9	1986–1991	Coupe	4.1 AT	170	125	300	4080	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 4	FWD
8	1979–1985	Cabrio	5.7 AT	188	138	407	5733	Gasoline, 92	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 3	FWD
8	1979–1985	Cabrio	5.7 AT	105	77	278	5700	Diesel	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 3	FWD
8	1979–1985	Cabrio	4.1 AT	135	99	319	4100	Gasoline, 98	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 3	FWD
7	1971–1979	Cabrio	7.0 AT	180	134	433	7000	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 3	FWD
7	1971–1979	Cabrio	8.2 AT	218	160	543	8200	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 3	FWD
7	1971–1979	Cabrio	7.0 AT	180	134	433	7000	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 3	FWD
6	1967–1970	Coupe Hardtop	7.0 AT	345	254	651	7025	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 3	RWD
6	1967–1970	Coupe Hardtop	7.7 AT	380	279	712	7729	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 3	RWD
6	1967–1970	Coupe Hardtop	8.2 AT	405	298	746	8194	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	No	Automatic, 3	RWD
5	1965–1966	Cabrio	7.0 AT	340	254	not measured	7000	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 3	RWD
4	1960–1965	Cabrio	7.0 AT	340	254	not measured	7000	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 3	RWD
4	1960–1965	Cabrio	6.4 AT	325	242	not measured	6400	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 4	RWD
3	1957–1959	Cabrio	6.4 AT	345	257	not measured	6400	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 4	RWD
2	1954–1956	Cabrio	5.4 AT	190	142	not measured	5400	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 4	RWD
1	1953	Cabrio	5.4 AT	190	142	not measured	5400	Gasoline, grade not measured	8, V-shaped	not measured	Automatic, 4	RWD

Engine cc range in the table: 4080 cm³ (9 generation 4.1 AT) to 8200 cm³ (7 generation 8.2 AT). Peak hp: 405 (6 generation 8.2 AT). Peak Nm: 746 (same 8.2 AT). Lowest hp: 105 (8 generation Diesel 5.7 AT). Specific output: 10 generation 4.6 AT 304 hp = 66.6 hp/l; 6 generation 8.2 AT 405 hp = 49.4 hp/l; 8 generation Diesel 5.7 AT = 18.4 hp/l; 7 generation 7.0 AT 180 hp = 25.7 hp/l.

Performance and economy (mpg)

Measured 0–100 km/h exists only for generation 10, generation 9 4.1 AT, and generation 6.

10 generation 4.6 AT 304 hp: 7.2 s, 248 km/h.
10 generation 4.6 AT 299 hp: 7.4 s (+0.2 s), 244 km/h (−4 km/h).
10 generation 4.6 AT 273 hp: 7.6 s (+0.4 s vs 304 hp), 242 km/h (−6 km/h).
10 generation 4.9 AT 204 hp: 9.4 s (+2.2 s vs 304 hp), 215 km/h (−33 km/h).
9 generation 4.1 AT 170 hp: 9.6 s, 175 km/h. Versus 10 generation 4.9 AT, that is +0.2 s and −40 km/h. Versus 10 generation 4.6 AT 304 hp: +2.4 s and −73 km/h.
6 generation 7.0 AT 345 hp: 9.0 s, 200 km/h.
6 generation 7.7 AT 380 hp: 8.5 s (−0.5 s vs 7.0 AT), 206 km/h (+6).
6 generation 8.2 AT 405 hp: 8.0 s (−1.0 s vs 7.0 AT), 208 km/h (+8). Versus 10 generation 4.6 AT 304 hp: the 1967–1970 8.2 AT is 0.8 s slower to 100 km/h and 40 km/h lower in top speed, despite +101 hp and +346 Nm — it also carries 2140 − 1760 = 380 kg more kerb weight.
7 generation 7.0 AT (both 180 hp listings): top speed 190 km/h; 0–100 not measured.
Generations 1–5, 8, 9 4.5 AT, 9 4.9 AT, 7 8.2 AT: 0–100 not measured; top speed not measured except where listed above.

City, highway, and combined consumption are not measured on every version, so mpg for a 1976 or 1978 Eldorado cannot be stated from this catalogue.

Dimensions and weight

Kerb weight is measured only in generations 10 and 6.

10 generation 4.9 AT 204 hp: 1570 kg (lightest measured). kg/hp = 7.70. Gross weight not measured.
10 generation 4.6 AT 273 hp: 1709 kg (+139 kg vs 4.9 AT). kg/hp = 6.26. Gross not measured.
10 generation 4.6 AT 299 hp: 1729 kg; gross 2246 kg (only gross figure in generation 10). kg/hp = 5.78. Payload arithmetic: 2246 − 1729 = 517 kg.
10 generation 4.6 AT 304 hp: 1760 kg (heaviest in generation 10). kg/hp = 5.79. Gross not measured. The step from 273 to 304 hp costs +51 kg for +31 hp.
6 generation 7.0 AT 345 hp: 2130 kg, 6.17 kg/hp.
6 generation 7.7 AT 380 hp: 2160 kg, 5.68 kg/hp.
6 generation 8.2 AT 405 hp: 2140 kg, 5.28 kg/hp (best kg/hp in the catalogue).
9 generation 4.1 AT: kerb not measured; gross 1680 kg.
All other versions: kerb and gross not measured.

Ground clearance: 150 mm (generations 9–10), 140 mm (generation 8), not measured (generations 1–7). Tank: 76 L on generations 9–10; not measured on generations 1–8. Wheel sizes: not measured on every version. Length in metres is not measured.

Which version to choose

If you want the shortest measured 0–100 km/h. Buy 10 generation Coupe 4.6 AT 304 hp (7.2 s). The same-name 4.6 AT 299 hp is 0.2 s slower and 4 km/h slower on top speed, with 5 hp and 4 kW less, 7 Nm less, and Drum rear brakes instead of Disc. The 4.6 AT 273 hp is 0.4 s and 6 km/h behind the 304 hp car, but it makes the highest torque in generation 10 (407 Nm at 4000 rpm, 400 rpm earlier than the 299/304 pair). That 407 Nm matches 8 generation Gasoline 5.7 AT 188 hp — same newton-metres from 4565 cm³ instead of 5733 cm³.

If you want the most horsepower and torque the catalogue lists. Buy 6 generation Coupe Hardtop 8.2 AT 405 hp / 746 Nm. Versus 7.7 AT 380 hp: +25 hp, +34 Nm, −0.5 s, +2 km/h, −20 kg. Versus 7.0 AT 345 hp: +60 hp, +95 Nm, −1.0 s, +8 km/h, +10 kg. Specific output of the three 6 generation engines is almost flat (49.1 / 49.2 / 49.4 hp/l); the extra displacement is what buys the extra power, not a denser tune.

If you want a Cabrio, not a Coupe. Generations 1–5, 7, and 8 are Cabrio. Peak Cabrio horsepower is 345 hp on 3 generation 6.4 AT (6400 cm³) and 340 hp on 4 and 5 generation 7.0 AT (7000 cm³). The smaller engine is +5 hp versus those 7.0 AT cars and +20 hp versus 4 generation 6.4 AT 325 hp. Later convertibles are slower on paper: 7 generation 8.2 AT is 218 hp (−127 hp vs 3 generation 6.4 AT); 8 generation Gasoline 5.7 AT is 188 hp; 8 generation 4.1 AT is 135 hp. 0–100 and top speed for generations 1–5 and 8 are not measured, so you cannot rank convertibles on acceleration from this table.

If you want FWD Coupe without the 1992–2002 4.6-litre spread. 9 generation 4.9 AT 200 hp is +45 hp versus 4.5 AT 155 hp (+29%) and +30 hp versus 4.1 AT 170 hp. The 4.9 AT is the only 95-octane listing. Carry-over into 10 generation 4.9 AT 204 hp is +4 hp and +1 cm³ (4893 vs 4892) at the same 373 Nm; 10 generation adds measured 9.4 s and 215 km/h and a 1570 kg kerb. The 10 generation 4.6 AT 273 hp is +69 hp and −1.8 s versus that 4.9 AT, at +139 kg.

If you want Diesel. Only 8 generation Cabrio 5.7 AT 105 hp / 278 Nm / 5700 cm³. Versus the Gasoline 5.7 AT 188 hp in the same generation: −83 hp (−44%), −129 Nm, −33 cm³. Versus 8 generation 4.1 AT 135 hp: −30 hp, −41 Nm, but +1600 cm³. Economy is not measured, so a Diesel choice cannot be justified on mpg here.

If you want 4-speed Automatic on a 1950s–60s Cabrio. Generations 1–3 and 4 generation 6.4 AT use 4 speeds; 4 generation 7.0 AT and generation 5 drop to 3 speeds. Generation 1 and 2 5.4 AT are both 190 hp / 5400 cm³; the later 3 generation 6.4 AT adds 1000 cm³ and +155 hp.

If you want the lightest measured kerb. 10 generation 4.9 AT 204 hp at 1570 kg. That is 560 kg lighter than 6 generation 7.7 AT 2160 kg, and 190 kg lighter than 10 generation 4.6 AT 304 hp — with 100 hp less than that 4.6 AT.

What the “step up” inside one generation buys (arithmetic only). 10 generation 273 → 299 hp 4.6 AT: +26 hp, −14 Nm, +20 kg, −0.2 s, +2 km/h, Drum rear instead of Disc. 10 generation 299 → 304 hp 4.6 AT: +5 hp, +7 Nm, +31 kg, −0.2 s, +4 km/h, Disc rear instead of Drum. 9 generation 155 hp 4.5 AT → 200 hp 4.9 AT: +45 hp, +425 cm³, fuel 92 → 95; torque of the 4.5 AT is not measured. 8 generation 135 hp 4.1 AT → 188 hp Gasoline 5.7 AT: +53 hp, +88 Nm, +1633 cm³, fuel 98 → 92, 4 valves → 2 valves. 6 generation 345 → 380 → 405 hp: each step is a larger Carburetor V-shaped 8, not a different gearbox or drive.

There is no measured length, no mpg, no reliability score, and no price. Choose on body (Cabrio / Coupe / Coupe Hardtop), drive (RWD until 1970, FWD from 1971), and the horsepower figure that splits identical names — especially the three 10 generation 4.6 AT cars and the two 8 generation 5.7 AT cars (Gasoline 188 hp vs Diesel 105 hp).