Cadillac has unveiled a stunning, all-electric, ultra-luxury convertible concept car, the Sollei, along with its plans to re-establish itself among the world’s leading luxury brands.
Will this daring concept be enough to propel Cadillac back to prominence? The answer hinges on whether Cadillac’s forthcoming production vehicles can live up to the exceptional standards set by the Sollei. However, the brand has showcased eye-catching concept cars before, models that were lauded by classic car collectors, wealthy enthusiasts at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, but ultimately failed to make a lasting impact.
Consider previous concept models like the Cadillac Ciel, Escala, and Elmiraj. These cars boasted elegance, beauty, and visual impact. But where is today’s Cadillac that belongs in the same conversation?
Cadillac is running out of chances to regain its former stature. The Sollei, along with the hand-built, $350,000+ Celestiq luxury electric car could buy it one more shot.
Can the Sollei deliver? The Sollei, a long, low, and elegant convertible showpiece, is designed “to deliver Cadillac bravado,” like its classic predecessors did, but with a modern take on technology and personalization, according to General Motors design chief Michael Simcoe. The unveiling took place in a midcentury modern building at the automaker’s tech center in Warren, Michigan.
The convertible features classical proportions—a long hood, a spacious four-seat interior, a compartment for a folding soft top, and a trunk. These elements contrast with the more avant-garde Celestiq, which is currently being built by hand at the same tech center.
The convertible shares dimensions and technology with the Celestiq, although it only resembles the four-door hardtop in its nose and headlights.
Sollei Highlights:
-
“Manila Cream”: This pale yellow paint color was meticulously created from historic vehicles in General Motors’ Heritage Collection, showcasing the rich history that competitors, like Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, and Genesis cannot boast.
-
Classic Proportions: The Sollei’s long, low, and wide design, paired with the same architecture and running gear as the Celestiq four-door, is an homage to classic luxury convertibles, offering a 2+2 seating layout.
-
Power Doors: Opening and closing with a touch of a modest aluminum button, these doors ensure easy entry to and exit from the rear seats. This feature is also seen in the upcoming 2025 Escalade SUV.
-
Metallic fabric cloth power top in a color called Daybreak.
-
55 inches of screens stretch across the dashboard.
-
Touch screens are located in the front and rear seats for both climate and infotainment controls.
-
Bio-based Renewable Material: Mats for the rear-seat charging pads and map pockets in doors are made of Mycelium, a cutting-edge material made from mushroom root structures.
-
Doors and seatbacks are adorned with sunburst designs featuring five types of wood, separated by strips of aluminum.
-
Sunburst-themed interior lighting, graphics, embroidery, and seat quilting are incorporated throughout the cabin. Floor mats that match the color of the roof are used to unify the interior space.
-
Multiple zones of ambient lighting provide 126 colors.
-
Nappa leather-wrapped interior and seats are finished in Manila Cream with a pink iridescent treatment to mimic the changing colors of sunrise.
-
A rear-seat refrigerator features a custom crystal decanter and glasses for chilled drinks.
-
Billet aluminum trim, including the windshield surround and interior trim.
-
An “Aurora” tint is used on the metal trim to evoke the patterns of the Aurora Borealis, as solar winds interact with the Earth’s atmosphere.
Considering the name… Cadillac has no plans to put the Sollei into production, which is why the concept was exempt from the brand’s new naming convention for its EVs, where names end in “iq.”
Cadillac states the name Sollei is a portmanteau of “Sol” (sun) and “lei” from “leisure,” to be pronounced “So-Lay.” While the pronunciation may not seem intuitive at first, this is the same company that decided the name Celestiq, for its French-sounding super-luxury flagship, should be pronounced “Celeste-ICK.”
