If there’s one thing that people have been complaining about for years, it’s that Cadillacs don’t cost enough. For too long people have been forced to purchase new Cadillacs and have the possibility of still owning some money. Well, thankfully Cadillac, makers of the Cimarron and other cars, has solved this problem for you with the introduction of its new flagship, the Celestiq. With incredibly limited hand-built production (think one per day, with a maximum of six vehicles being built at once) this colossal, dramatic, tech-laden new Caddy will start at prices over $300,000 and possibly much, much more as the car can be customized to buyer’s preferences to an extremely high degree.
The Celestiq is built on a very elongated (it’s longer than an Escalade) variant of GM’s Ultium EV car platform, which sits underneath cars as varied as the upcoming Honda Prologue and the new GMC Hummer EV. While the specifics of the Celestiq’s drivetrain haven’t been fully revealed, it’s likely the motors and power electronics will be similar to the Cadillac Lyriq’s, at least in some way.
The Drivetrain And Charging
Cadillac did provide some basic specs about the drivetrain, performance, and range:
This dedicated EV propulsion architecture combines a 111-kWh battery pack and a two-motor, all-wheel-drive propulsion system to offer a GM-estimated 600 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque — and a GM-estimated driving range of 300 miles1 (483 km) on a full charge.
Unique among Ultium-based EVs are CELESTIQ’s 11.59:1 front and 11.63:1 rear gear ratios, which were specially calibrated to optimize range and performance. In addition to the impressive horsepower and torque, the vehicle is also projected to deliver one of the quickest 0-60-mph acceleration in the segment of 3.8 seconds.
Like the legendary Cadillac’s of old, it seems the Celestiq is focused on a specific sort of ride comfort, the kind that feels like you’re being whisked along on a mattress made of marshmallows and optimism, the kind that let you go over a speed bump at 51 mph in your Sedan DeVille in 1967 and not spill a drop of the old fashioned you had in your hand, next to your cigarette.
This level of comfort is accomplished with a lot of tech like this:
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Adaptive Air Suspension: CELESTIQ makes use of an air suspension system, rather than the coiled springs used in a traditional suspension system. Compared to traditional suspension systems, air suspension offers a softer, more isolated ride for greater ride quality.
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Active Rear Steering: CELESTIQ will offer up to 3.5 degrees of out-of-phase rear steering, in which the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the front wheels for greater maneuverability at low speeds. At higher speeds, the rear wheels will turn in-phase with the front wheels.
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Magnetic Ride Control 4.0: A signature Cadillac engineering innovation will find a new home in CELESTIQ. Originally developed for the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the system is the world’s fastest-reacting suspension technology, which allows for greater responsiveness and enhanced isolation from road imperfections.
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Advanced AWD: CELESTIQ offers a two-motor electric drive unit. These motors work with torque optimizer modules that analyze torque requirements for given vehicle inputs. These modules turn the front or rear motors on and off as required to provide optimal torque to enhance ride quality and electric driving range.
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Active Roll Control: The Cadillac-first Active Roll Control feature is a significant contributor to the vehicle’s nimble handling. It employs stabilizer bars embedded at the front and rear of the chassis to mitigate the rolling force exerted on the vehicle during turns and other maneuvers, enhancing the feeling of stability, control and occupant comfort.
The Celestiq has a 200 kW DC fast charging system, and Cadillac claims 78 miles of range can be added in 10 minutes, via an appropriate fast DC charger.
The Look
Of course, it’s the design of the Celestiq that’s getting everyone excited, partially because that’s all we can really experience at the moment and partially because it is quite striking. It’s a long fastback design, an interesting choice on its own, and there’s a lot of really arresting details, like the hockey-stick shaped taillights that they seemed to like so much they included an extra set, inverted and below, the long rear overhang, the simple window graphic, the novel herringbone not-grille front end, the dramatic lighting, you get it.
Whether or not you like it, you have to admit the thing has hectares of presence, something that will likely be even more imposing in reality when you’re confronted with the whole massiveness of it all.
This is, of course, very on-brand for Cadillac, which has been building massive slabs of presence for decades. The press release specifically mentions the 1957 Eldorado Brougham as an inspiration, and I think that feels pretty accurate.
There are a couple of odd details, I think, like that jutting rear bumper that to me feels like a modernized, black version of the old El Camino/GM station wagon bumper with the inset taillights, and there’s a little swoosh of what I assume is a character line that kicks forward under the A-pillar that I haven’t decided if I like or not. Maybe I like it? I need to see that in person.
There’s one obvious thing that the exterior design of the Celestiq needs, and thanks to Cadillac’s promise of incredible levels of bespoke owner personalization, I suspect this should be possible. Here it is:
That’s right, this needs a proper Brougham vinyl top, complete with gold BROUGHAM badging and an opera light. Now it’s a real Cadillac.
Color selection seems to be up to the buyer, but Cadillac did provide a few options, complete with absurd marketing-speak taglines. See if you can match which tagline is for which color:
“A look into the new millennium that channels the motion of sport.”
“An avant-garde view of traditions driven by visionary possibilities.”
“An ode to infinity inspired by the mystery of the cosmos.”
“Ultra-luxury minimalism reimagines movement as a state of rejuvenation.”
Oof, right? Here’s the answers, in the order I listed: Aurora, Mist, Magnetic, Vale. How’d you do?
The Super-Swank Interior
The interior is, as you’d expect, absurdly luxurious. And pretty huge.
I like the use of color there, all of which I’m sure is customizable to the owner’s most secret and lurid chromatic desires, and the roof is something called Fixed Smart Glass that doesn’t require a sunshade or headliner.
The interior is for four people only, with large individual airplane-style seats at the rear, and, interestingly, no visible division between the passenger and cargo areas. That’s pretty unusual for a luxury vehicle, and while I like how it makes the interior feel even more open and airy, I wonder if that is the only arrangement possible of the interior. I imagine there’s people who like to compartmentalize their luggage. Also, what if you’re hauling bags of peat moss or a bunch of gravel in this thing? You’d want to keep all that out of the back seats, right?
Unsurprisingly, there’s more acreage of LCD screens in here than your average office cubicle, with Cadillac describing it as:
The centerpiece of the interior and the CELESTIQ technology interface is a pillar-to-pillar, 55-inch-diagonal advanced HD display—the largest in the segment. It is a technological marvel, containing two separate screens under a single pane of glass. The driver-side display — with pixel density comparable to an 8K screen — shows driver and shared vehicle information, while the passenger side allows the occupants to play media, use the Internet capability, connect their smartphones, and more. In order to separate the passenger display from the driver, Digital Blinds Active Privacy technology provides a virtual privacy shield, dimming the passenger screen from the driver’s view when in use.
So, that’s one huge screen all across the dash, but the passenger’s side can be obscured from the driver’s prying eyes, so you don’t have to worry about your driver seeing how your OnlyFans is doing or get distracted when you watch the finale of What We Do In The Shadows.
3D Printing And An Easter Egg
Oh, hey, look, I think I found an Easter Egg!
It looks like on the side of the drink holder cover are the silhouettes of three cars; I suspect three Cadillacs, one from what I’d guess to be the 1930s, one from the late ’50s or early ’60s, and the Celestiq. Neat! I also suspect that buyers can specify details like these, thanks to the fact that so much of the interior trim is 3D-printed:
With 115 3D printed parts in the production vehicle, the CELESTIQ demonstrates GMs broadest use of this process.
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The steering wheel center is the largest metal part GM has printed in production, combining the show surface and the structural B-side of the part, while the seat belt adjustable guide loop is GM’s first safety-related 3D printed part.
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Other 3D printed parts include: window switches, grab handles, console decor and structural pieces under the vehicle’s surface.
With so many 3D printed parts, customization of these elements should be easier than ever before, which provides a lot of interesting possibilities.
If you’re like most of us, you won’t even consider a car until you hear what Lenny Kravitz has to say about it, so I’m pleased to report that Cadillac has anticipated this desire and has provided you with a video that should help:
https://youtu.be/StBAhPC4erY?list=TLGGBo0BYHsVuLQxODEwMjAyMg
The Celestiq is set to start production at the end of 2023, and will be in the Middle East by 2024. And I have a prediction: the next U.S. Presidential limo, the “Beast,” will be based on one of these. Or will at least be made to look like one. That’s my guess.
Nice profile, nice rear end, and the front end? Hmm. So that’s what they went with?
Torch, between this and the Brasília cold start, you’re making it difficult to get much work done this morning!
Your point about the ’67 Sedan de Ville was spot on – I used to own a really nice low-mile example of that exact car. Bought it with 40,000 miles, and sold it with 52,000 miles. 12,000 of the most comfortable miles I’ve ever traveled.
As to the Celestiq, I think it’s just magnificent – an over the top exercise in modern excess. I’m with you on the desire for bespoke vinyl trim up top as well, although my first request would be for some white walls, and I don’t care if they’re only a centimeter thick. I don’t think I could resist also requesting a 16 cylinder engine, even if I know full well those well-coiffed assistants to Mr. Kravitz might very well show me the door at that point.
Considering $300K would build me a pretty nice storage shed with enough left over for quite a few vintage Fleetwoods (and maybe a Brasília or two), I probably won’t get around owning one anytime soon. However, I can’t wait to see one for the first time in person!
I’ll wait until it gets a thumbs up from Fancy Kristen before getting one.
They finally did it: The 6000 SUX comes alive.
Apparently all vehicles with sporting pretensions these days need Prolapsed Diffusers. Although El-Camino Butt is a good second place name.
Torch, not to be the “well ackshually” guy here (seriously) but remember that the Celestiq is in many ways, Cadillac trying to go back to their roots. Their 1930’s roots.
The Celistiq is consequently, hand-built to spec with a pricetag as mentioned, north of $300,000.
A 1930’s Cadillac V12 or V16 was a one-of-one, coach-built car with a pricetag which started at $5,350 and the coach build could at $20,000 for a total of over $25,000 in 1930.
Adjusting for inflation, a coach-built 1930’s Cadillac V16 would cost over $444,000.
But again: NOT trying to be the “well ackshually” guy. Because remember, key word, coach-built. Meaning Cadillac didn’t actually build the body. They provided a car, then someone like Fisher, Duple, Stutz, and so on built a completely custom, one-off body for it.
If you bought a Cadillac-built (as in standard bodied even though it was actually built by Fleetwood) Series 452 in 1930, the top end was $9,200 – or $163,511. Though obviously you could push that a bit higher with customization, though certainly not $300k higher. And Cadillac insists they were losing money on those.
So this isn’t just the most expensive Cadillac-built production Cadillac ever adjusted for inflation. It is the most expensive Cadillac-built production car by a factor of 2! And you know who those 1930’s V16’s were intended to (and successfully did) compete with?
You got it. Rolls fucking Royce. The majority of later Cadillac V16’s were ordered as limousines or for chauffeured driving. Which is why they dropped the Spectre today – trying to take away Cadillac’s thunder on a directly competing car.
And re-enacting the Roaring 20’s and the Robber Barons seems like a great idea. I mean, absolutely nothing bad happened as a result of that, now did it? (/All the sarcasm.)
Mission not accomplished on Rolls’ part, theirs has even less range (GM is particularly well-positioned to dump on that since the Spectre has about the same range as the much cheaper Chevy Bolt they’ve been building for five years) and looks like the same Rolls coupe from the mid ’00s.
GM committed something of an own goal not exhibiting this *before* the Lyriq though, they should’ve showed the new styling language on the semi-bespoke halo car before the mass-market model.
I can’t decide what I think of this other than that it is too expensive and I don’t think it looks like a Cadillac.
This is a shooting brake right? Or should I say the shooting brake to rule them all? I mean, I can’t afford it, but I would love to be inside one of them.
As one of the poors, the only way I’ll ever be in a shooting brake like this is lying dead in the back, post shot.
I won’t make it easy for them, but the wealthy always win the game.
The taglines remind me of the Depak Chopra wisdom generator. http://www.wisdomofchopra.com/
This is a misplaced Onion article, right?
This. This is Cadillac. Not chasing the Germans at sports sedans. Cutting edge stuff to make your neighbors jealous. And coddling your butt while being able to corner faster than a Bentley. Then wafting down the interstate at triple digit speeds in total silence.
We might be looking at a record amount of completely separate rear light assemblies. There are the 4 main hockey stick lights, the middle light at the bottom of the rear glass, and the two rear bumper lights. A total of 7. Also, there might be an 8th light at the top of the rear glass but I think that’s probably a sensor. Is this a record for a passenger car?
How can a battery that large get such poor range?
A Lucid uses the same size pack to get 500+ miles of range (a 66% improvement) at half the cost. This appears aerodynamic to the point of ugliness, so what gives?
I wish they would put an interior of this quality into their gas powered products.
It probably weighs 2 Lucids.
I doubt it since the Lucid is 5200 lb or so, but even if true, that should barely matter when steady state cruising.
Because range is a form of economy, and economy is vulgar.
Curious, if it were a 2 door would it be called a hatchback or a shooting brake? Just looking at the proportions. I do like it though
“If there’s one thing that people have been complaining about for years, it’s that Cadillacs don’t cost enough. “
I know you meant that as a joke, but it’s something I’ve mentioned many times. There’s a lot of money in the upper market, and it’s long past time for GM to go to work earning it. There’s no reason why a company like GM can’t have a custom shop like a Fender and Gibson do for guitars.
The problem I see here is that they’ve chosen a sedan instead of an SUV. They should be going after the Bentley Bentayga instead of the Flying Spur. You’d think they would’ve learned from the success of the Escalade. But no, this is GM we’re talking about…
I wish the back hatch was wrap around glass from taillight to taillight. I also wish that directional wheels would either finally die off or just have a left set and a right set, seriously, stop trying to make directional wheels happen!
I’m already tired of the overplayed “-q” ending name scheme Cadillac is employing. It’s not clever or cute; it’s tacky like a Brougham roof. Or should I say ta-qy?
The cars themselves, though, look good and deserve better names.
They’re renaming the make to Cadilliq.
I pity the fourth or fifth owner when all that tech (Magnetic Ride, Air Suspension, Rear Steering) is failing and repairs cost 10 times what the buy here/pay here lot sold it for.
I’m glad they’re actually going to build it – Cadillac has been somewhat notorious for putting together spectacular flagship concepts, winking that they might happen, and then doing nothing.
That said, I hate the hockey stick taillights so, so much. They don’t merely look bad everywhere Cadillac is putting them, I straight up don’t think it’s possible to make them fit on any design.
If they made this look exactly like the Cadillac Sixteen. That would have been fine with me.
A version with a V16 would be good too but anything is better than the last … 50 years?
All I can see is Lambo Espada. Such awkward proportions
I have been saying for years that Cadillac should have stayed at the Rolls-Royce level they used to be back in the first half of the 20th Century, and Buick should be where Cadillac is, and them maybe Oldmobile or Pontiac would have had a space in the pricing/options structure after 2007.
I mostly like it, if for nothing else, the ambition and actual attempt at the ‘Standard of the World’ slogan of old. Hit or miss, at least THIS is a Cadillac, not a lower spec GM with better options.
You speak the truth. They cheapened the brand so much chasing volume that they totally destroyed the cachet they once held.
I do not understand the rear end design of this or the Lyriq. Taillights sculpted as tailfins would look so much better than this weird expanse of metal.
Oh, I think that would be a very cool nod to the old Caddys. Love the idea.
Many of the “art + science” designs had subtle taillight tailfins, perhaps most noticable on the CTS coupe. https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/webp/2009/11/2011-Cadillac-CTS-0010.webp
Many of the “art + science” designs had subtle taillight tailfins, perhaps most noticeable on the CTS coupe. https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/uploads/webp/2009/11/2011-Cadillac-CTS-0010.webp
Those glorious bastards, they went and did it. Sure it’s on a limited-production, incredibly expensive car, but an aerodynamic stremliner-style boat-tail, from the factory. The automotive singularity is upon us, it’s been creeping in via extended roof spoilers on crossovers, but this is the moment I’m marking as day one.
Or maybe they’ll sell 5 of these, no one will imitate it, and it will be another expensive footnote in Cadillac’s history, like the Blackwing engine.
Love the C-pillar design. I always love it when somebody apes a 1981 Ford LTD. Please tell me there’s a landau option.
I like it. I don’t have the 300k to buy one. I do like where it is going. My DTS was bought for long distance cruising as a sofa on wheels. I can steer it with one finger.
Sure I don’t get the road feel, but that is not the point of this car.
We just need to make sure that the depreciation curve drops it down into the mid $20k range and then we’re talking.
Then it be like a 20k supercar. Many repairs ignored and it costs 40k to fix the cheap car right .