Cadillac unveiled a breathtaking, all-electric ultra-luxury convertible concept car on Monday, offering a glimpse into the automaker’s ambitious plan to reclaim its position among the world’s leading luxury brands. The question is: will it work?
The Cadillac concept, dubbed the Sollei, merges classic design elements with innovative customization options and cutting-edge EV technology. However, the success of the Sollei hinges on whether Cadillac’s upcoming production vehicles can live up to the high standards set by this concept car. Cadillac has presented stunning concept cars in the past that captivated car enthusiasts and the wealthy at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. However, these concepts failed to translate into significant market impact. Remember the Cadillac Ciel, Escala, and Elmiraj concepts? Their elegance and visual appeal were undeniable. But can you name a Cadillac currently available that matches their promise?
Cadillac’s window of opportunity to regain its previous status is closing. While it may be nearing the deadline, the Sollei, along with the $350,000+ Celestiq luxury electric car, which has just begun production, might buy the brand a little more time.
Can the Sollei deliver?
Long, low, and elegant, the Sollei is a head-turner, designed to embody the “Cadillac bravado” of the brand’s classic models, but with a new level of personalization and technology, according to General Motors design chief Michael Simcoe. The car debuted in an immaculate midcentury modern building at the automaker’s tech center in Warren, Michigan.
The convertible showcases classical proportions—a long hood, a spacious four-seat interior, a compartment for a folding soft top which contrasts with the more daring Celestiq. The first Celestiqs are being handcrafted at the same tech center.
Sollei Highlights:
- “Manila Cream”: The pale yellow color was meticulously crafted from vehicles within General Motors’ Heritage Collection. This color, which was beautifully applied and finished by hand, serves as a subtle message: luxury brands that have only been around for a few years cannot compete with decades of heritage. Time to step up, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, and Genesis.
- Classic proportions: The Sollei is long, low, and wide, and uses the same architecture and running gear as the very different-looking Celestiq four-door. Its 2+2 seating arrangement is reminiscent of classic luxury convertibles.
- Power doors: Operated with the touch of a discreet aluminum button, these doors make it simple to enter and exit the Sollei. The long doors offer comfortable access to the rear seats, and echo the design of the upcoming 2025 Escalade SUV.
- Metallic fabric cloth power top in a color named Daybreak.
- 55 inches of screens are spread across the dashboard.
- Front and rear-seat touch screens for climate and infotainment controls.
- Bio-based renewable material: Mats for the rear-seat charging pads and door map pockets are made of Mycelium, developed from the root structure of mushrooms.
- Five woods, separated by strips of aluminum in hand-applied sunburst designs on the doors and seatbacks.
- Sunburst-themed interior lighting, graphics, embroidery, and seat quilting. Tufted floor mats match the roof color.
- Multiple zones of ambient lighting, each capable of generating 126 colors.
- Nappa leather-wrapped interior and seats in Manila Cream with a pink iridescent treatment designed to mimic the shifting hues of sunrise.
- Rear-seat refrigerator with a custom crystal decanter and glasses for chilled drinks.
- Billet aluminum trim, including the windshield surround and interior trim.
- “Aurora” tint on metal trim that evokes the patterns of the Aurora Borealis as solar winds interact with Earth’s atmosphere.
There are no plans to produce the Sollei, explaining why the concept was exempt from Cadillac’s rule that its EVs’ names end in “iq” (Lyriq, Celestiq, Optiq, and Escalade IQ)..
Cadillac says the name Sollei is a portmanteau of Sol for “sun” and lei from “leisure” – and should be pronounced “So-Lay.”
Granted, the pronunciation doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but this is the same company that decided Celestiq, the vaguely French-sounding name for its ultra-luxury flagship, should be pronounced “Celeste-ICK.”
Mark Phelan can be reached at 313-222-6731 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
