First hundred years of Cadillac

1903   On October 17 the first production Cadillac emerges from the plant in Detroit. A year beforehand, company head Henry Martin Leland had presented his first prototype.
1908   Cadillac becomes the first carmaker to start production of standardized, replaceable parts and creates the preconditions for economical production. Cadillac is subsequently awarded the British "Dewar Trophy" - the Nobel Prize of the automotive industry - in recognition of extraordinary technical achievements.
1909   Cadillac becomes part of General Motors.
1910   First employment of a breaker-point ignition system by Cadillac, which makes a major improvement in ignition reliability.
1912   Cadillac is the first carmaker in the world to fit an electrical self-starter and electrical lighting in a vehicle - the Model 30. This earns the company the "Dewar Trophy" for the second time.
1915   Cadillac builds the first production car with a V8 engine. The 5.1-liter capacity creates 70 hp and enables a top speed of around 100 km/h.
1929   Cadillac introduces first synchro-mesh transmission.
1930   Cadillac builds the first production car with a V16 engine. The 7.4-liter unit creates 160 hp.
1941   One year after Oldsmobile, Cadillac introduces its first fully automatic transmission with a hydraulic clutch and a four-speed planetary gear set.
1948   Cadillac's Sixty Special model marks the first use of the tail fin in automotive design.
1949   Cadillac begins production of the first modern V8 engine with a 5.4-liter capacity. On November 25 the one millionth Cadillac comes off the production line in Detroit.
1950   Cadillac makes its debut at the Le Mans 24 Hours race with a Coupé de Ville prototype, reaching tenth position. A Cadillac-powered English Allard storms to third place in the overall classification.
1953   Cadillac offers air conditioning for the first time. By 1962, 59 percent of all vehicles produced feature air-con.
1954   Cadillac is the first carmaker in the world to standard-fit all models with power steering.
1957   The prestigious Eldorado Brougham model stands out with features such as a power driver's seat with memory, air suspension, aluminum wheels and separate heating for the front and rear seats.
1959   The Cadillac Eldorado (6.4-liter capacity, 345 hp) marks the high point of the tail fin era.
1964   Cadillac is the first carmaker to introduce thermostatically regulated heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Another new development is a sensor that automatically switches the headlamps on and off according to light conditions.
1965   Cadillac introduces the tilt and telescoping steering wheel.
1966   Speed-sensitive power steering, the stereo radio and seat warmers are all premiered by Cadillac.
1967   The Fleetwood Eldorado (7.0-liter capacity, 340 hp) is the first Cadillac with front-wheel drive.
1970   Cadillac's new Eldorado boasts the largest-capacity mass-produced engine in automotive history. The 8.2-liter unit creates 400 hp and powers the 2.2-tonner to 200 km/h.
1971   Cadillac offers an electronically controlled precursor of antilock brakes for the rear wheels as optional equipment.
1972   All new models are standard-fitted with safety belts.
1974   Cadillac introduces the precursor of the airbags - the so-called "Air Cushion Restraint System."
1975   Cadillac is the first American manufacturer to employ electronic fuel injection.
1978   Cadillac programs a first trip computer for the Seville.
1985   Cadillac is the first manufacturer to fit a car with a transverse V8 engine and front-wheel drive - the De Ville.
1989   The luxury Allante convertible is the first Cadillac model to feature speed-sensitive damping.
1990   The Allante becomes the first front-wheel drive vehicle with electronic traction control.
1991   A new generation of the Cadillac Seville with a larger and more elegant body is introduced as a 1992 model. The Northstar engine with four-valve technology and 300 hp from a 4.6-liter capacity is available for all Cadillacs.
1993   The Road Sensing Suspension (RSS) with shock absorbers that adjust to the road surface and speed-sensitive power steering appear in the Allante as part of the Northstar system.
1995   The Northstar system is expanded. A new addition is the Integrated Chassis Control System (ICSS). It measures the steering angle and degrees of acceleration and braking and processes information from the antilock braking system, the Road Sensing Suspension and traction control, engaging the brakes when the vehicle threatens to become unstable - on curves taken too quickly, for example.
1997   The new fifth-generation Cadillac Seville models celebrate their world premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. Cadillac fits the Seville STS with "StabiliTrak", the successor to ICSS. The chassis control system guarantees secure handling during precarious situations. All models now feature CVRSS (Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension), an electronically controlled shock absorber system that immediately responds to road surface conditions.
1998   Cadillac brings its "Art and Science" brand philosophy into life.
1998   The Cadillac Seville becomes the first vehicle in the world to feature adaptive seating.
1999   The "Night Vision" fitted in the DeVille makes Cadillac the first automotive manufacturer to employ infrared technology.
1999   The Evoq roadster study is the star of the Detroit Motor Show. The equipment package of the two-seater concept car includes the PAS (Performance Algorithm Shifting) adaptive transmission technology, Night Vision infrared technology and the "Communiport" multimedia information system. The vehicle is fitted with a supercharged 410 hp next-generation Northstar engine.
2000   Cadillac's Imaj study for a luxurious sedan of the future debuts at the Geneva Motor Show. Its supercharged Northstar engine creates 425 hp. Other highlights include four-wheel drive, aluminum space frame chassis, "e-lock" security with fingertip recognition, e-mail, DVD-compatible LCD screens, navigation and entertainment electronics, distance-sensing radars, Bulgari interior, electrochromatic louvered glass roof and MagneRide suspension, which enables variable, real-time damping.
2001   Cadillac presents the Vizón study. A new SUV type vehicle, featuring the new Cadillac design line. The Cadillac CTS has its world premiere at the Frankfurt motor show. The stylish and sporty sedan is the first production model with the bold Cadillac styling.
2002   Cadillac reveals two new products to hit international markets. The luxury roadster Cadillac XLR and the SUV Cadillac SRX. Both vehicles follow the design of their previous concepts (XLR - EVOQ and SRX - Vizón).

 



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