The show car previews some of the materials technologies and details that express Cadillac’s vision. Highlights include five high-definition, advanced LED interactive displays, including a 55-inch-diagonal advanced LED display, along with a variable-transmission smart glass roof and Ultra Cruise, General Motors’ available hands-free driver assistance technology which Cadillac plans to offer on CELESTIQ.
Photo: Cadillac
Cadillac unveiled the CELESTIQ show car on July 22 that previews the brand’s future all-electric flagship sedan.
Conceived to lead Cadillac’s electric future, it serves as a touchstone for the Cadillac design and engineering teams, who continue to develop CELESTIQ as it moves closer to production.
In developing the show car, the design and engineering teams drew upon the artisanship and customization that defined early Cadillac sedans such as the bespoke V-16 powered coaches of the prewar era, and the hand-built 1957 Eldorado Brougham. The CELESTIQ is the culmination of that heritage, brought to life with innovative production methods and new technologies.
“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, in a news release. “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.”
Designers drew further inspiration from classic architecture such as the mid-century masterpieces of architect Eero Saarinen, along with other iconic American designs, which made era-defining statements when introduced and endured with distinctive timelessness.
Realizing and infusing those influences within an Ultium-based EV architecture resulted in the CELESTIQ show car that considers travel a curated experience.
“We’ve combined the beauty of function with the beauty of form,” said Laetitia Lopez, a creative designer. “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 technologies and details that express Cadillac’s vision. Highlights include five high-definition, advanced LED interactive displays, including a 55-inch-diagonal advanced LED display, along with a variable-transmission smart glass roof and Ultra Cruise, General Motors’ available hands-free driver assistance technology which Cadillac plans to offer on CELESTIQ.
The smart glass roof features suspended particle device (SPD) technology that allows four zones of variable lighting, enabling passengers to fine-tune their cabin experience for completely personalized comfort and visibility. 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.
While they are previewed on the show car, these technologies will make CELESTIQ the most advanced vehicle ever produced by Cadillac. Availability for the production version of CELESTIQ will be announced later.
GM is investing $81 million to support its assembly at GM’s Global Technical Center, the landmark campus originally designed by Eero Saarinen and the heart of the company’s engineering and design efforts.
The CELESTIQ will be the first production vehicle built there since the center’s inauguration in May 1956.
Additional details on the CELESTIQ production model will be announced later this year. Information: www.cadillac.com
Originally posted on Charged Fleet