Cadillac's latest EV models seem like the perfect opportunity to atone for a previously missed opportunity
Back in the day of lavish luxury, chrome, and fins, the Cadillac name was associated with unparalleled, American luxury. The Cadillac Series 62, in particular, was the basis for many exquisite one-offs like Rita Hayworth's 1953 Ghia Coupe and, of course, the pink Eldorado owned by none other than Elvis. Those were the days for Cadillac and in the early 2000s, GM’s luxury arm attempted to reclaim its old ways by introducing the elegantly unapologetic, Cadillac Sixteen. Despite getting some screen time, the car never entered production, but now, the Cadillac Celestiq is trying to pick up where the big Sixteen left.
The Cadillac Celestiq is the first EV flagship of the brand as well as the first full-size, luxury sedan that doesn’t have an internal combustion engine under the hood. By all accounts, the Celestiq aims to be a new beginning for the American luxury brand even though it is the second electric luxury model in recent years, after the soon-to-be-released Cadillac Lyriq. While the latter is more of a mid-size, luxury, performance e-SUV (a mouthful of classification, I know), the Celestiq aims to be a balls-out, full-size, luxury sports sedan even though it features more of a fastback design.
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The Celestiq has been teased for a year now before its design was fully-revealed. General Motors’ future plans for Cadillac may be those of a fully-electric, luxury car brand, but the design is an homage to Cadillac’s 120-year heritage, as it was founded in 1902. Credit for the design of the all-electric flagship model goes to Cadillac’s Advanced Design Center, which has been churning out wild and futuristic concepts, among which include the Cadillac XP-840 Eldorado Fastback, for decades.
The all-electric successor to the Cadillac CT6 is expected to make an official debut late in 2023 with sales commencing the following year. In true Cadillac tradition (from the old days), the Cadillac Celestiq will be hand-built in Michigan. The basis for the Celestiq is the General Motors BEV3 skateboard platform, which underpins other models like the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS, which is scheduled for debut in the summer of 2023, as well as the upcoming Honda Prologue and an Acura model, both of which will be built in the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, alongside the Blazer EV.
It’s clear that, with the Celestiq, Cadillac wants to do what it couldn’t with the Sixteen back in 2003. Back then, many journalists, including James May, who test-drove it on Top Gear, said that “this is exactly what a Cadillac should be”. The thing was pure excess in every way, including luxury, size, and even engine, which was a 13.6-liter V-16 that developed 1,000 horsepower (746 kilowatts) and 1,000 pound-feet (1,356 Nm) of torque. The thing weighed a whopping 5,005 pounds (2,270 kg), which is still less than the Bentley Mulsanne EWB and its 6,018 pounds (2,730 kg).
Adding to the allure of the big Sixteen is its appearance in two screen productions - the 2006 comedy “Click” starring Adam Sandler and the 2011 “Real Steel” starting Hugh Jackman. A few other concept models were derived from the big Sixteen, but like the ultimate flagship that never was, they were all shelved.
The Cadillac Celestiq was confirmed back in March 2020 with the clear intention of being a successor to the 2003 Sixteen, and there lies the problem. The Sixteen’s shoes are, literally, too big to fill by the Celestiq, considering what the flagship EV model is bringing to the table and the asking price for it. Granted, the cabin is a lavish mix of luxury and technology with a total of five screens, one of which a 55-inch, LED screen that spans the entire dashboard. Needless to say, it is light years away from the minimalistic, sometimes bland, interiors of most EVs.
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Despite that, the Cadillac Celestiq commands a $300,000 MSRP, which is hardly a bargain, considering the 340-horsepower (250-kilowatt) power output of the single-motor variant and the 500-horsepower (373-kilowatt) all-wheel-drive, twin-motor variant. GM hasn’t quoted any performance figures, but it’s clear that it will not be a match for the likes of Porsche Taycan Turbo S, Tesla Model S Plaid, or Lucid Air, most of which pack over 1,000 horsepower (745 kilowatts). While a more powerful is not ruled out, these appear to be the two trims with which Cadillac’s upcoming, EV flagship will be offered.
Cadillacs may have become a bit more performance-oriented over the last decade or so, but in the past, that was never what the brand’s models were about. It appears that, with the Celestiq and Lyriq, Cadillac wants to return to its roots (although electrified). However, luxury and heritage may not be enough to justify the cost in one of the most booming segments.
Dim’s fascination with cars began when he was just six. Born into a family of car enthusiasts and racing drivers, he started learning basic mechanics and driving from an early age. While he loves writing for any car, Dim is most interested in exploring obscure and forgotten cars as well as finding the best deals on the enthusiast car market. His passion took him to car restoration in the Malta Classic Car Museum, where he briefly worked on a 1964 Jaguar E-Type and an Alfa Romeo Junior. In Malta, he also graduated Media and Communications, which further improved his skills as an automotive journalist. Dim is always ready to get behind the wheel of any car and tell you all about it later.