Cadillac is thinking about leaning into an ultra-luxury future, and if it comes it will be propelled by electric powertrains. The brand has already produced the $340,000 Celestiq EV and previewed a possible EV convertible called the Sollei concept. On Friday at Monterey Car Week, the American luxury brand showed the Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept, which, as the name suggests, would deliver over-the-top luxury and exhilarating performance.
Cadillac touts the concept as the "ultimate expression of a zero emissions hypercar luxury performance" and "the future of all-electric luxury performance." A 2+2 coupe, Cadillac says the Opulent Velocity Concept's design is inspired by motorsports and combines a hypercar personality with luxury execution. We see the sleek style of the 1930s Delahayes.
Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept
Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept
Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept
Design director Brian Nesbitt said the car represents "future electrification design expressions." The car has a long, flowing profile, a low stance, self-opening butterfly doors that cover both seating rows, and sheet metal that looks like it's draped over the body. The nose sports a pointed beak that sits above a slim grille and is flanked by Cadillac's signature vertical light elements. The roof resolves into a straked rear window with something of a split-window design, and the rear end has a full-width pinstripe taillight design that kicks up at each end. Crystal fluting adorns the headlights, grille, and taillights. The body is painted a gold Gilded Pearl.
Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept
Inside, it's all concept car, with slim bucket seats, a yoke-style steering wheel with an integrated screen, an augmented reality head-up display, and a widescreen display that Cadillac says is "3D information-enabled." The cabin is upholstered in a color called Selene, a dark blue that is offset by metal brushed finishes. The cockpit also uses 3D printing technology and flax fibers under silver pearl flakes.
The concept would provide two types of driving experiences. The Opulent experience would be enabled by a Level 4 hands-free driving system that would work in certain areas and allow drivers to look away from the road and only take back control when prompted. The experience would also use art, entertainment, and lighting during hands-free driving to relax occupants. The steering wheel and pedals would retract in this mode.
The Velocity experience promises track-ready thrills inspired by the brand's Blackwing models. It would use a "ghost car" function on the head-up display to show the racing line and help drivers improve their lap times like in various driving games. Cadillac says the mode would also provide road overlay and road condition information, and let drivers control the active aerodynamics and suspension damping.
Cadillac provided no information on those active aero features or what the powertrain or suspension would be. The brand only said the Opulent Velocity Concept would use an electric powertrain, likely with big power numbers.
The high-minded and expensive Celestiq indicates Cadillac could build a car like the Opulent Velocity Concept, possibly with its Ultium battery set. More likely, however, elements of the design will appear on a future Cadillac performance model.
