Among the best components of being at Monterey Automobile Week is simply driving across the peninsula and carspotting. You’ll see every thing from Ferrari 250 GTOs and unrestored pre-war Bugattis to model new hypercars and one-off ideas casually sitting in visitors or in parking tons. It’s actually unbelievable. However this 12 months, the automobile I noticed that had me probably the most excited was a metallic yellow electrical Cadillac.
I used to be driving via Pebble Seaside with a good friend after we handed by a parking zone connected to some sports activities fields, the place this Cyber Yellow Celestiq was sitting within the shade beneath some timber. I yelped and pulled a very authorized U-turn so I might park and test it out, and by chance the motive force, a member of the Normal Motors design crew, graciously opened the automobile 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 suppose it’s an outstanding piece of design, particularly after recognizing a brilliant crimson 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 individual. Many individuals say the Celestiq simply appears like a stretched Lyriq — that’s simply how a design language works, guys — however in individual 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 colour like this metallic yellow, although the Celestiq additionally appears 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 feel the cabin nonetheless appears fairly particular even on this primary spec, however it’s significantly better suited to a brighter colour scheme with extra distinction. You actually need the screens to be on to get the total impact, too. However at the same time as a prototype in a less-than-ideal spec and setting, all of it appears very nicely completed.
The Celestiq additionally sounds very cool. I’m all for EVs getting synthetic noises, whether or not they be aping an inside 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 feel it fits the design ethos of the automobile nicely.
Sadly, I’ve solely seen this yellow one and that crimson one final 12 months, regardless of Cadillac having practically half a dozen driving round Monterey this 12 months and others getting proven off at numerous occasions over the previous few years. Earlier in the summertime I missed a neon inexperienced take a look at automobile in downtown Detroit by 5 minutes, and that data practically ruined my journey. It’s arduous to consider the final new automobile that I’ve yearned to identify this a lot.
As soon as deliveries of the $340,000 Celestiq start 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 might probably solely hand-build a pair Celestiqs per day at its Technical Middle in Warren, Michigan, understanding to just some hundred annually. Every one will likely be completely bespoke by way of spec, too. For example of the customization potential, one buyer, knowledgeable athlete, had their participant quantity engraved all through the automobile, in response to 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 bought out by the tip of 2022.
Again within the Fifties via the ‘70s, Cadillac was identified for gigantic, ostentatious vehicles like the enduring Eldorado Biarritz, which was slathered in chrome and wild design parts like tail fins and rocket-esque bumpers. The 1959 Biarritz price $7,401 when new, nearly 4 occasions the common price of a brand new automobile that 12 months. I see the Celestiq as being in the identical vein as these classics. It’s massive, it’s controversial, it’s costly, it’s showy, it’s unimaginable to mistake for anything — therefore why Cadillac introduced again its Goddess mascot for the automobile. Positive, I want Cadillac would have made vehicles like the Sixteen and Ciel, however we must be blissful the Celestiq exists. It’s an idea made actual, precisely the kind of flagship that I feel 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 based mostly on the Celestiq with an inside comprised of mushrooms. Whereas billed as only a idea, it appears like Cadillac might simply put it into manufacturing — one of many advantages of utilizing a skateboard EV platform. Past simply with the ability to, it looks as if Cadillac needs to start out promoting limited-run vehicles just like the Sollei, as evidenced by it being introduced across the peninsula to impress potential consumers. One morning, it was proudly parked in my lodge’s valet, getting simply as a lot consideration because the Bugattis throughout from it.
