On Friday, Cadillac unveiled its Celestiq concept car, confirming the appearance of a future hand-built flagship electric sedan. The prototype, according to GM, draws inspiration from GM’s 120-year heritage and will continue evolving towards production.
First teased last month, the design has remained a sedan, GM says, rather than an SUV or crossover. However, it has evolved significantly since an early preview of the concept over two years ago, and its appearance seems slightly refined in the evolution towards production.
The long and swoopy fastback sedan (GM has not yet shown how the trunk lid opens) sought inspiration from the brand’s 1950s Eldorado Brougham and pre-war V-16 motor coaches. It also seems to fit seamlessly after the Cadillac Lyriq 2023 crossover, which is now arriving at dealerships.
As previously confirmed by Cadillac, the Celestiq will be hand-built, resulting in a very small production volume. The company plans to manufacture the Celestiq at its Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, although a timeline has not been announced. The model will include the highest volume of 3D-printed components of any GM product to date. Expect only a few hundred vehicles per year, with the Celestiq’s price potentially around $300,000.
This revelation follows a preview of the interior last week, showcasing four throne-like seats, a flat floor, and what appears to be a red leather-clad cabin adorned with metal. The screen space, including the 55-inch display, seems to span the entire dashboard and includes privacy technology allowing the passenger to enjoy entertainment without disturbing the driver.
That being said, it will heavily rely on GM’s existing technology sets. It is set to be built on GM’s Ultium propulsion components, which include large-format battery cells and modules, GM’s own motor design, and a patented battery management system. The Celestiq could also be GM’s first vehicle equipped with an Ultra Cruise autonomous driver assistance mode for hands-free driving in most situations.
As Cadillac continues its transition into a fully electric brand, with the Celestiq leading the way at the top of the lineup, the question now is: What comes next?
