On the same day that Rolls-Royce unveiled the Spectre, its first electric model, to the world, Cadillac also presented its first all-electric ultra-luxury sedan model – the CELESTIQ. Described as the most technologically advanced Cadillac ever, it leads the brand into the electrified future built on legacy, cutting-edge technology and personalized luxury.
While the basic structure and bodywork of the CELESTIQ will come from a series production process, each unit will be personalised to the customer’s specific requirements. No two cars will be alike as customers will work directly with their dealer and Cadillac designers to have what the company says will be ‘unprecedented levels of personalization tailored to reflect the owner’s tastes’.
“CELESTIQ is the purest expression of Cadillac, acknowledging our incredible history and driving us to a bolder and brighter future,” said Global Vice-President of Cadillac, Rory Harvey. “It is a completely bespoke work of automotive art, built around the most advanced and innovative technology that we have ever engineered into an automobile.”
Low volume and handbuilt
“With an extremely low volume of hand-built vehicles to be offered globally each year and an exclusive declaration process, CELESTIQ will truly be a custom-commissioned one-of-one,” said Harvey. “Each client will experience a personalized journey to make their vehicle exactly the way they desire.”
As the flagship of the 120-year old brand’s electric future, the CELESTIQ uses the Ultium platform and batteries for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) which General Motors developed models (and which Honda will also use). This dedicated BEV architecture combines a 111-kWh battery pack and a 2-motor, all-wheel-drive propulsion system to offer a GM-estimated 600 bhp/868 Nm, with a GM-estimated driving range of 483 kms on a full charge.
Unique among Ultium-based BEVs are the 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 high output, the car is also projected to deliver one of the quickest 0 – 100 km/h times of less than 4 seconds.
The Ultium Platform also serves as a structural element of the car, contributing to its overall strength and feeling of solidity, in addition to its performance. The battery cells are mounted horizontally, allowing for long, low and lean proportions, while the low mounting position of the battery pack drops the centre of gravity. These enhance handling and ride comfort while also maximizing interior spaciousness.
Regen on Demand Braking helps maximize driving range by converting the kinetic energy of the car’s forward momentum into electricity that’s then stored in the battery pack. It also includes One-Pedal Driving, which can slow the vehicle to a complete stop using only the accelerator pedal. That might take a bit of getting used to but in time, drivers will probably appreciate it.
When it comes to charging, the Cadillac can hook up to a DC fast-charging system with a 200 kW supply and almost 50 kms of range can be obtained with 10 minutes of charging, it is claimed. Owners will also have access to Ultium Charge 360, a holistic approach to EV charging that’s designed to simplify the overall charging experience. It includes access to more than 110,000 publicly available charging points in the USA and Canada.
Although the suspension layout seems simple on paper – 5-link front and rear suspension – to give the occupants the comfort levels expected of a flagship luxury model, the CELESTIQ has Adaptive Air Suspension, Active Rear Steering, and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0.
For superior driving dynamics, there’s an Advanced AWD system which turns the front or rear motors on or off as required to provide optimal torque to enhance ride quality and electric driving range. Active Roll Control, a Cadillac-first, is a significant contributor to the car’s nimble handling. There’s also an Active Rear Spoiler which is angled aerodynamic efficiency at lower speeds and raised at higher speeds to improve stability.
Cadillac engineers worked with Michelin to develop the Pilot Sport EV tyres specially for the CELESTIQ. Mounted on 23-inch forged aluminium wheels, the tyres have optimal rolling resistance and precision steering with the tread pattern and foam inserts to keep noise levels low. Self-sealing technology eliminates the inconvenience of punctures.
Art of Travel design philosophy
The CELESTIQ story is rooted in Cadillac’s history of building handcrafted, iconic vehicles such as the 1933 V16 Aerodynamic Coupe and the 1957 Eldorado Brougham. Its interior is where Cadillac’s Art of Travel design philosophy is fully realized through the use of authentic materials and indulgent details.
“With CELESTIQ, we’ve been able to push classic American luxury into a new modern space,” said Tristan Murphy, Interior Design Manager, CELESTIQ. “Executed with exceptional craftmanship, there is a staggering variety of colours, trims and genuine materials that ensure no two cars will ever be alike.”
With a clean, minimalist aesthetic, the cabin acts as a pure showcase for all the different materials and colour options. “The interior is defined by long uninterrupted surfaces and theme lines; the sense of movement is all around you. With such a clean design, it allowed the details to shine, emphasizing precision in even the smallest of areas, truly highlighting a sense of space and scale,” said Murphy.
Immersive sensory experience
The interior lighting is fundamental to CELESTIQ, featuring more than 450 distinct LEDs, delivering an immersive sensory experience. Customers can personalize their colour selections for each interior lighting zone or let the CELESTIQ curate the lighting combinations to harmonize throughout the cabin. In addition, there are 18 different lighting animations which showcase the interior’s lighting capabilities where the choreography of light enhances the mood.
Many of the metal elements throughout the cabin require detail and finish work such as fine milling, anodization and a final polishing by hand, reflecting the authenticity and high level of finish detail that goes into each handcrafted vehicle. For example, the leather surfaces have premium leather wrapped by artisans.
The Fixed Smart Glass Roof has an industry-first feature – Suspended Particle Device technology to allow variable transmission of light. Multi-colour ambient lighting and lighting choreography create a unique interplay between the exterior and the amount of light (tint levels range from less than 1% to 20%) allowed into the cabin through the 4-zone glass roof. The glass is also treated with infrared reflective and low-emissivity coatings that help prevent sunlight from raising the cabin’s temperature.
Largest HD display panel
The centrepiece 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.
The CELESTIQ is the first vehicle to feature a Gentherm ClimateSense 4-zone microclimate system as standard equipment. It features 33 unique microclimate devices that allow each occupant to tailor their seat heating and cooling, along with advanced airflow technology that creates truly individualized comfort.
The CELESTIQ is expected to go into production in December 2023, with an expected price starting from over US$300,000 (RM1,421,400 at today’s exchange rates). The actual price a customer pays will be more and dependent on the level of personalization. As every unit will be personalized, there will be no ready stock at dealers and customers will have to wait some time after their order is placed.
