2000 Cadillac history

Cadillac's millennium-ending 2000 lineup featured completely restyled full-size DeVille sedans built on a much stiffened platform shared with some other GM marques.

The end results were somewhat shorter and slightly narrower than the 1999 models, but rode on a 1.5-inch longer wheelbase.
Catera received a face-lift and the addition of a Sport version distinguished by 17-inch wheels and other exterior styling features.
Eldorado and Seville remained largely unchanged in appearance but received tweaks to their Northstar V-8 engines.
While Cadillac's impressive Evoq concept car hinted at future styling for the marque, the year's production models were characterized by technological razzle-dazzle such as
- a thermal-imaging Night Vision system
- updates to StabiliTrak that included automatic shock-absorber dampening adjustment on individual wheels
- LED tail lights
- Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist
- a system that prevented front-passenger air bags from deploying if the seat was unoccupied or contained a small child.

STYLE

Model	Series Prod. No.	Body Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping weight
Catera	VR5	R69	4-door Sedan	31010	1714 kg
DeVille	KD5	D69	4-door Sedan	39895	1808 kg
	KE5	E69	4-door DHS Sedan	45595	1840 kg
	KF5	F69	4-door DTS Sedan	45595	1839 kg
Eldorado	EL1	L57	2-door ESC Coupe	39665	1739 kg
Eldorado	ET1	T57	2-door ETC Coupe	43240	1753 kg
Seville	KS5	S69	4-door SLS Sedan	44475	1805 kg
Seville	KY5	Y69	4-door STS Sedan	49075	1819 kg

I. D. NUMBERS

The 2000 Cadillac had a 17-symbol vehicle identification number (VIN) stamped on a metal tag attached to the upper left surface of the cowl visible through the windshield. The code was as follows:
POSITION	DIGIT	MEANING
1	1 or 4	manufacturing country (United States)
2	G	General Motors
3	6	Cadillac
4 & 5	car line series	V/R = Catera E/L = Eldorado ESC E/T = Eldorado ETC K/D = DeVille K/E = DeVille DHS K/F = DeVille DTS K/S = Seville (SLS) K/Y = Seville (STS)
6	the body style:	1 = two-door coupe 2 = two-door 3 = two-door convertible 5 = four-door sedan 6 = four-door 8 = four-door station wagon
7	the restraint code	2 = active (manual) belts w/dual frontal airbags 4 = active (manual) belts w/dual frontal and side airbags
8	the engine	Y = LD8 4.6L V-8 9 = L37 4.6L V-8 R = L81 3.0L V-6
9	check digit	-
10	model year	Y = 2000
11	the assembly plant
12-17	the production sequence number

HISTORICAL NOTES

2000 Cadillac Notes

As announced during 1999, Cadillac did field an effort to compete in the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race.
The four racing Cadillacs, named LMP (for Le Mans Prototype), were based on Riley & Scott chassis fitted with a twin-turbocharged, intercooled 4.0-liter Northstar V-8s (not a regular production item).
While not ultimately victorious, valuable lessons were learned by the Cadillac contingent and optimism prevailed for a better showing in 2001.
One bright spot in Cadillac's LeMans experience was the flawless performance of the Night Vision systems on its race cars.
Derived from thermal-imaging technology developed for the military and proven during the Gulf War, Night Vision was but one element of the technological wizardry that typified production Cadillacs for 2000.
Standard and optional features such as Night Vision, StabiliTrak, CVRSS, PAS, Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, OnStar, selective air bag deployment, and hands-free cellular phone operation -- to name a few -- brought world attention to Cadillac's state-of-the-art engineering and commitment to excellence.

200 Automotive Notes

G. Richard Wagoner, Jr. was president of GM
John F. Smith, Jr. was chairman of the board at GM
Top model year production for 2000