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View Photos of the 1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
View Photos of the 1981 Cadillac Sedan de VilleAaron Kiley - Car and Driver

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Cadillac debuts its cylinder deactivation system with the V-8-6-4. The cylinder deactivation is as unnoticeable as the fuel-economy benefits.

The 1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville is a big car with a big engine. Except when it's not.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

The Sedan de Ville's 6.0-liter V-8 makes 140 horsepower when it's running on all cylinders.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

This thing hits 60 mph in 11.6 seconds, which is actually surprisingly good.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

Our test barge, er, car, carried about $4000 worth of options.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

The V-8-6-4 is now Cadillac's best-selling engine. Hopefully it's reliable!

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

The Sedan de Ville interior is all about understated good taste.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

That's genuine faux wood.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

This device points the Sedan de Ville in more or less the direction you intend to go.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

Auto-dimming lights are an option.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

If your house has a couch this big, congratulations.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

You'd think that a 140-hp V-8 couldn't afford to shut down any cylinders. Cadillac disagrees.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

With cylinder deactivation in effect, we saw... 11 mpg.

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

1981 Cadillac Sedan de Ville

1981 cadillac sedan de ville
Aaron Kiley - Car and Driver

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