On the 17th (US local time), Cadillac unveiled the electric flagship sedan, Celestic.
Celestic is a handcrafted, all-electric vehicle that signifies a reestablishment of Cadillac as an “iconic brand of global standards” and serves as the flagship leading the brand’s electrification movement.
Cadillac’s Global Vice President, Lori Harvey, stated, “The Celestic will tell the remarkable story of Cadillac using the purest expressions of the brand and lead Cadillac into a bolder and brighter future. It will become a customized work of art completed with the most advanced and innovative technologies we can apply to vehicles. “
Featuring unique design, cutting-edge technology, and customized luxury, the Celestic is based on Cadillac’s history, which has produced iconic models such as the 1933 V16 Aerodynamic Coupe and the 1957 Eldorado Brougham.
The Celestic will be produced through a thorough customer customization order process, meaning each vehicle will be uniquely crafted. Cadillac plans to work directly with select dealers and Cadillac designers to realize the unique vision of the customer and reflect their taste in an unprecedented level of tailored production.
Lori Harvey further stated, “Just as the Celestic is an original model like no other we have seen, the customer experience will also be a new dimension that has never been experienced before. “
The Celestic is the most technologically advanced vehicle in Cadillac’s history. It will be recorded as a model that conveys the true value of ultra-luxury and customer customization through technological innovations across the vehicle.
Built on GM’s innovative Ultium platform exclusively for electric vehicles, the Celestic operates with a 111 kWh battery pack and a dual-motor all-wheel drive propulsion system that delivers a maximum output of 600 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of maximum torque, boasting a driving range of 300 miles (about 483 km) when fully charged (according to GM’s own certification standards).
The Celestic comes standard with regen-on-demand braking, converting kinetic energy into electric energy, maximizing driving range. It also features one-pedal driving capabilities, allowing drivers to bring the vehicle to a complete stop with just one pedal, enhancing control and efficiency during operation.
Active rear steering allows the rear wheels to turn up to 3.5 degrees in the opposite direction from the front wheels at low speeds, significantly reducing the turning radius. At high speeds, the rear wheels rotate in the same direction as the front wheels, providing greater stability.
The two motors applied in the Celestic’s AWD system work in conjunction with a ‘torque optimization module’ that analyzes and applies the necessary torque to each wheel based on driving conditions. This system allows the Celestic to provide a more refined ride and extended driving range.
The Celestic is designed based on the electric vehicle design philosophy ‘Art of Travel’ first showcased with the Lyric. This philosophy actively utilizes design elements to create extraordinary experiences from ordinary components, allowing customers purchasing the Celestic to experience tailor-made designs according to their personal choices.
The exterior of the Celestic incorporates a fastback style based on futuristic and avant-garde design elements. The bold grille and vertical signature lights, which honor Cadillac’s heritage, seamlessly connect to create a smooth yet unique impression, featuring over 1,600 LEDs that provide a stunning illumination.
The interior of the Celestic pursues a customized design philosophy ‘Art of Travel’, based on extraordinary material quality and craftsmanship with rich details. It expresses a new level of ‘American luxury’, featuring a 55-inch 8K HD display spanning across the driver and passenger seats, and showcases the harmony of materials and ambient lighting chosen by the customer.
Celestic Design Director Erin Crossley remarked, “The Celestic is a mode of transportation that maximizes artistic design, while also offering an unparalleled sensory experience space.”
The class-leading 55-inch advanced infotainment system of the Celestic features a front panel that connects two separate screens, boasting 8K resolution clarity. Utilizing digital blind active privacy technology, it provides a unique virtual privacy shield function that dims the passenger-side screen outside the driver’s line of sight, allowing the driver to focus solely on driving.
Starting with the Celestic, Cadillac will introduce a new connected car camera platform. This platform allows customers to access the cameras installed inside and outside of the vehicle through an intuitive mobile interface, enabling them to monitor the vehicle’s condition, including theft detection and collision recording.
The industry’s largest glass roof panel incorporates suspended particle device technology utilizing variable transmittance principles. This allows all passengers to adjust the amount of light entering through the roof of their seating area from less than 1% to the standard tint level of 20% found in existing sunroofs. Notably, the roof glass is treated with infrared-reflective and low-emissivity coatings to maintain the indoor temperature and prevent heat buildup from sunlight.
The Celestic is equipped with 41 speakers, including three external speakers. This includes a custom-tuned 38-speaker AKG studio reference audio system designed by a professional audio engineer, along with three individual amplifiers that correspond to 30 channel ranges to deliver perfect audio immersion.
All Celestic vehicles will be manufactured at GM’s Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, not at a production plant, marking the first mass-produced vehicle to be made at GM’s design and engineering campus.
The Celestic production will commence in December 2023, starting in the North American market before expanding to the global market.
Written by Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr