2000 CADILLAC CATERA

For 2000, Cadillac wanted to convince the buying public to purchase a Catera claiming it is a real Cadillac. "Great cars turn driving into a magical experience. In a single moment, you feel stimulated, even exhilarated by the ease with which even challenging manoeuvres are accomplished. Yet thoroughly confident, thanks to the tremendous competence of the vehicle under your command. Perhaps you've never felt that way about driving before. If so, it's time to put a little magic into your life. With the 2000 Catera from Cadillac. That's right. Cadillac."

The badges said "Cadillac" but the car was just a German Opel.

Cadillac claimed that the 2000 Catera Sport was "an uncompromised sports sedan and a highly rewarding driver's car." Instead of a woodgrain trim, the dash was trimmed in brushed aluminum. The front seats were leather, heated, and had a 10-way manual adjustment (after all sports cars wouldn't have power adjustments). The suspension was specially tuned and the wheels were 17" with high-performance tires.

The stereo accommodated both cassettes and CDs as well as the "Weather Band" and "Radio Data System." It also featured the Bose 8-speaker sound system. A trunk-mounted 12-disc CD changer was optional. Taking a page out of Buick, the automatic climate control allowed the driver and front passenger to select different temperatures.

Cadillac had long since abandoned the front-engine, rear-wheel drive setup, but with the Catera, the arrangement was back with 4-wheel independent suspension, rear automatic level control, Bosch ASR5 traction control, anti-lock braking, and large disc brakes at all four wheels.

The engine is a 3.0 liter, double overhead cam V6 producing 200 horsepower mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission with a choice of Normal, Sport and Winter shift modes.

ENGINE

DRIVELINE

• Configuration : Front engine/rear wheel drive
• Transmission : 4-speed automatic with Dexron III long-life fluid
• Brake transmission : shift interlock
• Shift mode : sport shift select
• Start capability : third-gear
• 1st gear ratio : 2.856:1
• 2nd gear ratio : 1.62:1
• 3rd gear ratio : 1.00:1
• 4th gear ratio : 0.723:1
• Final drive ratio : 3.90:1

CHASSIS

PERFORMANCE

• Acceleration : 0-96 km/h (0-60 mph): 8.5 seconds
• Braking : 96-0 km/h (60-0 mph): 40 m (132 ft)
• Top speed : 200 km/h (125 mph)

CAPACITIES

• Oil : 5.8 L (6.1 qt)
• Coolant : 10 L (10.6 qt)
• Fuel : 61 L (16 gal)
• Battery : 12 volt
• Towing : 454 kg (1000 lb)
• Trunk : 410 L (14.5 cu. ft)
• Curb weight : 1710 kg (3770 lb)

EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS

• Wheelbase : 2730 mm (107.4 in)
• Length : 4882 mm (192.2 in)
• Width : 1786 mm (70.3 in)
• Height : 1432 mm (56.4 in)
• Front track : 1506 mm (59.3 in)
• Rear track : 1520 mm (59.8 in)

INTERIOR STANDARD FEATURES

• Frontal air bags : Next Generation, driver and front passenger
• Side impact air bags : Driver and front passenger, seat-mounted
• Air conditioning : automatic, dual zone
• Interior Filter : Air filtration system
• Trunk net : Cargo convenience net
• Console : Front floor with cupholders
• Cruise control : electronic
• Door locks : automatic power, programmable with lock-out protection
• Safety doors : Rear door, child-security
• Fuel filler door : power remote release
• Glove compartment : air conditioned and illuminated
• Interior lights : Illuminated entry system, courtesy light, map lihgt, reading light, ashtray light
• Instrumentation : analog cluster (speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, oil pressure, voltmeter; low-fuel, low engine coolant, low washer fluid, and low brake pad indicataors)
• Entry system : remote keyless system with perimeter lighting and activation verification
• Mirror : Inside rearview, auto-dimming electrochromic
• Electric benefit : Retained accessory power
• Safety belts : front/rear outboard 5-posiition shoulder height-adjustable; front seat pretensioners; lap/shoulder belts at all positions
• Seatback : split-folding with pass-through
• Driver seat : 8-way power
• Passenger seat : 2-way power
• Front seat type : Cloth bucket seats with manual lumbar adjusters
• Seat heaters : Heated front and rear seating areas
• Sunvisors : Left and right illuminated vantiy mirrors
• Steering wheel : leather-wrapped, tilt adjustable with sound system controls
• Tether anchors : child-seat, 3-position rear seat
• Trunk release : power remote
• Windows : power, express up/down all windows, pinch guard and rear window lock-out

EXTERIOR STANDARD FEATURES

• Antenna : Integrated Rear-window
• Fog lights : standard
• Glass : Tinted Solar-Ray
• Headlights : Daytime Running Lights, automatic light control with Twilight Sentinel, activated by windshield wiper
• Lights : front cornering
• Mirrors : fold-away, power remote control, heated
• Windshield wipers : variable intermittent

OPTIONS

• Deluxe Package : leather seating areas, power 8-way passenger seat adjuster, 3-person memory/personalization including driver seat, interior and exterior mirros, audible/visible theft-deterrent system, and garage door opener.
• Sport Package : manual adjusting Sport front bucket seats, leather seating areas, gray accent instrument panel, audible/visible theft-deterrent system, Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, rear spoiler, 17" x 7.5" Sport aluminum wheels, P235/45R17 performance tires, Sport suspension with modified springs and dampers.
• Preferred package : leather seating areas.
• Sunroof : power, sliding glass panel with express open/close feature
• Sunshade : power, rear window
• Wheels : 16" x 7" chrome finished cast-aluminum

EXTERIOR COLORS

• Ivory
• Rain Forest
• Platinum
• Sapphire
• Sand
• Cranberry
• Ebony
• Sage

INTERIOR COLORS

• Neutral
• Charcoal
• Stone

LITERATURE & LINKS