Cadillac Debuts The Road-Going Celestiq: Luxury EVs Made Cool

A Cadillac is meant to be cool. No matter how big or small or powerful, it is not a Cadillac if it ain’t cool. At a time when large and luxurious EVs are either chasing insane performance figures or have boring shapes, Cadillac has arrived on the scene with a car that looks drop-dead gorgeous — the Celestiq.

Beautiful design

The Celestiq is meant to be the final word in handcrafted electric luxury mobility. It takes inspiration from the rich history of Cadillac, including the likes of the 1933 V16 Aerodynamic Coupe and the 1957 Eldorado Brougham. The Celestiq has an arched roofline, its body elongated towards the rear, and a wide front fascia flanked by angular openings. It sits low, wide and long…just like a Caddy should.

Those 23-inch forged aluminium wheels really complement the overall design and are wrapped in EV-specific Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. The rear lighting elements are shaped like angular wings, like a fighter plane from a fictional space saga. That tapered rear end probably helps with the aerodynamics, just like a McLaren Speedtail, and the reduced drag helps with both high-speed stability and increased range.

Drives fast and clean

Yes, this is a Cadillac of the future, and as such, it features an electric powertrain. Its massive frame accommodates a 111kWh battery pack to feed a dual-motor all-wheel drive system. Parent company GM estimates this setup will be good for 600hp and 868Nm with a range of 483km. It’s geared for a responsive experience with a claimed 0-96kmph in just 3.8 seconds. This electric system can support 200kW DC fast charging which can add 125km of range in just 10 minutes. 

What’s under the skin

The Celestiq is built on the EV-specific Ultium platform wherein the battery cells are mounted horizontally. The low mounting position helps give the car a low centre of gravity for improved driving dynamics. Cadillac engineers use a fair bit of aluminium and carbon fibre for the exterior and incorporate various 3D-printed parts for the car’s extravagant design. 

Its overall dynamic package includes adaptive air suspension with the latest magnetic ride control system, active rear steering, active roll control, and an active rear spoiler.

The Opulent Cabin

Since each unit of the Celestiq will be commissioned, every example will be bespoke. However, there will be some common elements across every uber-luxurious interior of the flagship Cadillac EV. It has a relatively minimalistic layout, dominated by the 55-inch display that spans the width of the dashboard and incorporates the digital gauge cluster, the infotainment system and the passenger-side screen. Additionally, there is an 11-inch touchscreen rising from the central console for various cabin controls. In the middle of the console is a lovely, crafted dial with a textured feel to it, likely to navigate various vehicle control systems.

The cabin is finished in exquisite materials with a very elegantly styled and retro-tastic steering wheel. Like most ultra-luxurious vehicles, the Celestiq is a four-seater with lounge-style rear seats separated by a fixed console. The rear entertainment package includes two 12.6-inch touchscreens mounted behind the front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen command centre. 

It also comes with the latest ADAS and autonomous driving tech from Cadillac, and it will receive over-the-air updates as time passes. The audio system on offer is a 38-speaker setup from AKG Studio, and it also comes with three external speakers. The Celestiq also comes with powered doors and a variable opacity electrochromic glass roof.

American Made

Every single Celestiq will be handcrafted at the GM Global Technical Centre in Michigan, USA. It will enter production in December 2023 and has an expected starting price upwards of USD 300,000. 

What do you make of the Cadillac Celestiq? Are you as smitten with its looks as we are? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Auto Loons blog for more cool updates from the car world. You can also follow us on Instagram for more automotive content.