Cadillac is previewing its all-electric future with the ultra-luxury CELESTIQ show car. GM will invest $81 million to build the CELESTIQ - a hand-crafted vehicle inspired by the brand's 120-year heritage and designed to lead Cadillac into its EV future.
Cadillac says the CELESTIQ will challenge the ultra-luxury space with defining design, technology and performance. It will be based on GM's Ultium-based EV architecture and feature an open and spacious cabin, with a focus on meticulous details and a clean design.
“The CELESTIQ show car is the purest expression of Cadillac,” said Magalie Debellis, manager, Cadillac Advanced Design. “It brings to life the most integrated expressions of design and innovation in the brand’s history, coalescing in a defining statement of a true Cadillac lagship.”
In developing the show car, Cadillac says the design and engineering teams looked to the artisanship and customization that defined early Cadillac sedans. For instance, the bespoke V-16 powered coaches of the prewar era, and the hand-built 1957 Eldorado Brougham.
“Those vehicles represented the pinnacle of luxury in their respective eras, and helped make Cadillac the standard of the world,” said Tony Roma, chief engineer. “The CELESTIQ show car — also a sedan, because the configuration offers the very best luxury experience — builds on that pedigree and captures the spirt of arrival they expressed.”
Cadillac says designers were also inspired by classic architecture such as the mid-century masterpieces of architect Eero Saarinen, along with other iconic, timeless American designs.
“We’ve combined the beauty of function with the beauty of form,” said Laetitia Lopez, creative designer, Cadillac Color and Trim. “We had to reconsider all aspects to immerse the customer, all of their senses, and create a connection with the vehicle through the finest genuine materials, exceptional detailing and advanced technology.”
The show car previews some of the materials, innovative technologies and hand-crafted attention to detail we'll be seeing in Cadillac's future EV lineup. Highlights include five high-definition, advanced LED interactive displays, including a 55-inch-diagonal advanced LED display, along with expected industry firsts such as a variable-transmission Smart Glass Roof and Ultra Cruise, General Motors’ next evolution of available hands-free driver assistance technology which Cadillac plans to offer on CELESTIQ.
Whats's cool about the smart glass is that each passenger can set their own level of roof transparency. Additionally, the 55-inch-diagonal advanced LED display introduces a passenger display with electronic digital blinds, an active privacy technology, which is designed to allow passengers to enjoy video content while blocking it from the view of the driver.
Cadillac says the CELESTIQ will be the brand's most advanced vehicle ever. No word yet on when it will go on sale, but we do know it will be the first production vehicle to be built at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan and each one of them will be hand-built.
“Each one will be hand-built by an amazing team of craftspeople on our historic Technical Center campus, and today’s investment announcement emphasizes our commitment to delivering a world-class Cadillac with nothing but the best in craftsmanship, design, engineering and technology, " said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors.
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Photo Credit: Cadillac.