The Cadillac Celestiq, GM’s All-Energy Sedan, Arrives in 2024
Each Celestiq is hand-built at Cadillac’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan by a team of “Artisans.” They’ll build just six at a time to ensure proper attention and quality.
It will come standard with advanced driver assistance technologies backed by GM’s Ultra Cruise hands-free semi-autonomous driving system, which can be upgraded via over-the-air updates. It also gets Remote Auto Parking and a Gentherm ClimateSense four-zone microclimate system.
Price
Cadillac’s latest EV shows off the brand’s new philosophy of luxury. For starters, it’s the first ultra-luxury sedan EV with 3D printed components and an ambient lighting setup that’s a dazzling display of 450 LEDs. The Cadillac Celestiq also features a 38-speaker sound system, a power sunroof, and four USB ports to charge your phone or tablet.
If this sounds impressive, prepare to shell out quite a bit. Cadillac says the Celestiq will start at “north” of $300,000. That puts it in a price range traditionally reserved for cars such as Bentley and far above what most people expect to pay for a regular Cadillac.
Since the Cadillac Celestiq will be a bespoke car, buyers will work directly with a concierge and a Cadillac designer to configure their car to their specifications. This means no two Celestiqs will be alike, even though it’s being produced in low volumes on the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.
The Cadillac Celestiq uses a range-extended Ultium battery and electric motors in a vehicle architecture developed specifically for the show car. It has an all-wheel drive and a driving range of about 300 miles.
Cadillac says it’s the only production EV to offer an adjustable front passenger seat with neck scarf air vents and rear seat heaters. It also boasts an adaptive air suspension and a smart glass roof that can tint each quadrant from 1 percent to 20 percent.
Other cool features include a power sunroof, 38-speaker AKG premium sound system, noise cancellation, and an exterior sound system with three speakers. There’s also a multifunction steering wheel, a Cadillac-branded app that lets you control the infotainment system, and an ambient lighting system of 450 LEDs.
GM has gone above and beyond to make the Celestiq a true work of art. This includes using 115 3D-printed parts, including those crucial to safety features. For instance, the seatbelt guide loops are 3D printed to be stronger and more durable than traditional metal ones. This is because a crash can generate tremendous force, and the guides keep passengers safe during an accident.
Number of Seats
The Celestiq’s interior is designed for four people. The driver sits in the front with a single screen displaying a virtual instrument cluster and a rotary dial controller to control the car’s features. There’s also a second screen for rear-seat passengers to adjust their comfort settings and a 38-speaker AKG studio reference audio system. Most of the cabin is trimmed in leather, and buyers will get “obsessive levels of personalization” for the inside. That includes various color choices, custom leather colors, and materials like carbon fiber and brushed metal.
Buyers will have a dedicated concierge to help them bring their ideas to life, and the process starts before they ever step foot in the car. The Cadillac website notes that its customization offerings exceed what Rolls-Royce or Bentley can do, and the company says it’s willing to use custom fabrics, paint, and materials to match a buyer’s unique aesthetic. Even the metal parts are printed to order, allowing for almost unlimited combinations of colors and finishes.
Every Celestiq will be built in Michigan at the GM Global Technical Center, with only six cars being produced at a time to ensure a methodical and unrushed build. That also allows the brand to offer a “bespoke purchase experience” that rivals that of Bentley and Rolls-Royce, and it’s even offering a plaque to display in the car to prove it was hand-built for its owner.
The price starts at $300,000 and will rise to whatever the customers can imagine, with Cadillac claiming it’s capable of building cars to the exact specifications of their buyers. The company says the production of the first cars will start near the end of 2023 and will continue as long as it can meet demand.
In addition to all the new luxury details, the production Celestiq will feature Cadillac’s latest technology. That includes Ultra Cruise, an evolution of the automaker’s hands-free driving system that can drive on highways and in tight corners. It also has self-sealing tires with foam inside to reduce road noise and next-generation active noise cancellation.
0 to 60 mph
Cadillac’s old slogan was “Standard of the World,” but it has struggled to live up to that promise, particularly in the 21st century. Nevertheless, it is trying again with the Celestiq, an all-electric flagship sedan that’s due to arrive in 2024.
Buyers won’t be able to walk into a Cadillac dealership and purchase one, as the Celestiq will be made by order only. Each one will be hand-built and personalized to the buyer’s specifications, and 3D printing will enable a wide range of customization. The company says buyers will work with a one-on-one concierge and have access to a Cadillac designer to ensure their vision is realized.
Based on GM’s Ultium electric vehicle platform, the Celestiq is expected to have an estimated 600 horsepower from its dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain and can reach 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds. Cadillac says it can travel about 300 miles on a charge.
The all-wheel-drive system includes axle-mounted electric motors that can direct power to either side of the car for better cornering performance. Cadillac also had an adaptive air suspension and 3.5 degrees of active rear steering. Its 23-inch wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires, designed for summer driving and use foam insulation to reduce noise and self-seal to prevent flats.
Because of its unique design, the Celestiq doesn’t have door handles, instead relying on a press button to open or close them. Inside, Cadillac included a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen and four wireless charging pads. The seats feature heating, cooling, and massage functions. They can also be reclined to various positions for relaxation or work. 33 microclimate devices can adjust the temperature, seat position, and airflow direction in each of the four occupant zones.
Considering the Celestiq will be expensive, it’s probably not the kind of car the average Escalade owner can afford to add to their garage. Cadillac confirmed that the price will start north of $300,000 and that it will be its most expensive production car ever.
Range
The Cadillac Celestiq is a bold new design that aims to rival the world’s best luxury brands. It uses every technology GM offers today and adds some of its own. This includes the all-new Ultra-Drive system that offers hands-free driving on most roads. It also has 23-inch Michelin tires with foam inserts to reduce road noise and self-sealing technology. The battery pack is mounted below the cabin, which lowers the center of gravity and enhances handling.
The body is crafted from lightweight materials, including carbon fiber and exotic wood. It also features the Cadillac crest, Goddess of the Dawn, and signature grille, milled into cast aluminum. The company says it eliminates 30 to 40 components compared to stamped parts. Other unique details include a rear spoiler that rises at highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag. Inside, the doors have no handles for improved aerodynamic efficiency and a sleeker appearance. They open and close using buttons on the key fob or a button in the driver’s door handle.
There are four seats, and each one is individually heated and cooled. The intelligent glass roof has four quadrants that can be tinted from 1 percent to 20 percent. The car has a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference Audio System with personalized audio settings. Buyers can choose from a range of exterior colors, and the car can be painted by hand or have its surfaces engraved with a monogram, a motif from classic art, or even a pattern of stars.
Unlike many electric cars, the Celestiq has front and rear steering, allowing it to turn in tight corners. Its 5-link front and rear suspension are designed to optimize handling and ride quality. The car comes with a free subscription to Ultium Charge 360, which gives drivers access to more than 110,000 charging stations. Drivers can also track their charging status through the My Cadillac app. The car also has a system of cameras and sensors that help owners keep track of the vehicle, locate it in a parking lot, and monitor crashes and theft. https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQaVnZew7XQ