Probably the greatest components of being at Monterey Automobile Week is simply driving across the peninsula and carspotting. You’ll see every little thing from Ferrari 250 GTOs and unrestored pre-war Bugattis to model new hypercars and one-off ideas casually sitting in site visitors or in parking tons. It’s actually unbelievable. However this 12 months, the automotive I noticed that had me probably the most excited was a metallic yellow electrical Cadillac.
I used to be driving via Pebble Seashore with a good friend after we handed by a car parking zone hooked up to some sports activities fields, the place this Cyber Yellow Celestiq was sitting within the shade beneath some bushes. I yelped and pulled a completely authorized U-turn so I may park and test it out, and fortunately the driving force, a member of the Common Motors design staff, graciously opened the automotive up and chatted with us about it.
I’ve been obsessive about the Celestiq since the near-production prototype was unveiled in 2022. I simply assume it’s an exceptional piece of design, particularly after recognizing a shiny pink one (with a white and blue inside!) in my lodge valet at Automobile Week final 12 months, the primary time I had seen one in particular person. Many individuals say the Celestiq simply seems like a stretched Lyriq — that’s simply how a design language works, guys — however in particular person you’d by no means mistake one for the opposite. The Celestiq is big, about half a foot longer than an Escalade, and it has dramatic proportions and exaggerated lights and particulars. I like that lengthy rear overhang, fastback form and glass hatch; the entire thing has complete French vibes. The drama is enhanced by an outrageous shade like this metallic yellow, although the Celestiq additionally seems nice in darker, classier shades.
Sadly, this Celestiq had a really tame inside, with black leather-based and accents of aluminum and heat matte-finish wooden. I believe the cabin nonetheless seems fairly particular even on this primary spec, nevertheless it’s a lot better suited to a brighter shade scheme with extra distinction. You really want the screens to be on to get the complete impact, too. However at the same time as a prototype in a less-than-ideal spec and setting, all of it seems very effectively completed.
The Celestiq additionally sounds very cool. I’m all for EVs getting synthetic noises, whether or not they be aping an inner combustion motor or a sci-fi spaceship, and at low speeds the Celestiq emits a pedestrian-warning sound that’s distinct and recognizable. It’s form of like a sound tub, or a frequency made by a theremin, and I believe it fits the design ethos of the automotive effectively.
Sadly, I’ve solely seen this yellow one and that pink one final 12 months, regardless of Cadillac having practically half a dozen driving round Monterey this 12 months and others getting proven off at varied occasions over the previous few years. Earlier in the summertime I missed a neon inexperienced check automotive in downtown Detroit by 5 minutes, and that data practically ruined my journey. It’s laborious to consider the final new automotive that I’ve yearned to identify this a lot.
As soon as deliveries of the $340,000 Celestiq begin later this 12 months, it’ll stay a uncommon sight, although hopefully residing near Beverly Hills I’ll see greater than most individuals. Cadillac says it will probably solely hand-build a pair Celestiqs per day at its Technical Middle in Warren, Michigan, figuring out to only a few hundred every year. Each shall be completely bespoke when it comes to spec, too. For example of the customization potential, one buyer, knowledgeable athlete, had their participant quantity engraved all through the automotive, in accordance with Automobile and Driver. And earlier than you say “who’s gonna spend that a lot on an costly electrical Cadillac,” the primary 18 months of manufacturing had been already offered out by the top of 2022.
Again within the Nineteen Fifties via the ‘70s, Cadillac was recognized for gigantic, ostentatious vehicles like the long-lasting Eldorado Biarritz, which was slathered in chrome and wild design components like tail fins and rocket-esque bumpers. The 1959 Biarritz value $7,401 when new, virtually 4 occasions the common value of a brand new automotive that 12 months. I see the Celestiq as being in the identical vein as these classics. It’s huge, it’s controversial, it’s costly, it’s showy, it’s unimaginable to mistake for the rest — therefore why Cadillac introduced again its Goddess mascot for the automotive. Positive, I want Cadillac would have made vehicles like the Sixteen and Ciel, however we must be comfortable the Celestiq exists. It’s an idea made actual, precisely the kind of flagship that I believe Cadillac wants.
The Celestiq isn’t the one such flagship car that Cadillac is engaged on, both. At Automobile Week it unveiled the Sollei, a two-door convertible primarily based on the Celestiq with an inside created from mushrooms. Whereas billed as only a idea, it seems like Cadillac may simply put it into manufacturing — one of many advantages of utilizing a skateboard EV platform. Past simply having the ability to, it looks like Cadillac needs to begin promoting limited-run vehicles just like the Sollei, as evidenced by it being introduced across the peninsula to impress potential patrons. One morning, it was proudly parked in my lodge’s valet, getting simply as a lot consideration because the Bugattis throughout from it.
