Cadillac Catera

The Cadillac Catera was a mid-sized automobile that was, essentially, a rebadged version of the 1994 model year Opel Omega MV6 made in Rüsselsheim, Germany. It was marketed in North America as an entry-level Cadillac, although it had softened suspension settings than the original Opel.

Related Topics:
Cadillac - 1994 - Model year - Opel Omega - Rüsselsheim - Germany

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Catera debuted for the 1997 model year and ceased production after the 2001 model year. Power came from a 200 hp 54° L81 V6 to the rear wheels, unlike all other Cadillacs of its day.

Related Topics:
1997 - 2001 - L81 - V6 - Rear wheels

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Catera was marketed to younger people with a "Caddy that zigs" tagline. The advertisements featured Cindy Crawford talking to an animated duck liberated from the Cadillac crest and shield logo. The car was smaller and had less power than other Cadillacs of the time. Though the car generally received good reviews from the automotive press, sales were poor. The car was too small to appeal to the marque's traditional luxury car buyers and failed to attract buyers away from the European luxury brands. Some compared the Catera's short and disappointing production run to the disastrous Cimarron of the 1980s. The duck's disappearance from the company logo altogether in 1999 may have been a reaction to this failure.

Related Topics:
Cindy Crawford - Cadillac crest and shield logo - Cimarron - 1980s - 1999

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~