On the 16th of last month (local time), Cadillac unveiled the ‘Opulent Velocity’ concept, perfectly expressing the brand’s essence through innovative design and performance worthy of its reputation.
The harmony of advanced technologies and personalized bespoke luxury elements featured in the ‘Opulent Velocity’ concept presents Cadillac’s vision for electrification in its high-performance ‘V-Series’ lineup.
Pioneering the industry with EV and autonomous driving technologies, Cadillac incorporates its extreme engineering capabilities into the ‘Opulent Velocity’.
Brian Nesbitt, Executive Director of Cadillac’s Global Design, stated, “The Opulent Velocity showcases the future vision of luxury performance that integrates autonomous driving and excellent electric performance technologies that represent Cadillac,” adding, “It also artistically expresses the evolution of the Cadillac V-Series and the anticipation for future electrified designs beyond luxury and technology.”
Cadillac encapsulates the freedom of passengers brought by complete autonomous driving in the ‘Opulent Velocity’.
Equipped with a full wide-screen display and augmented reality head-up display (AR HUD), the ‘Opulent Velocity’s’ Level 4 autonomous driving mode features a multi-sensory mode that helps provide a perfect autonomous driving experience.
Additionally, Cadillac has integrated scientific insights on sound and light waves, researched during the development of the ‘Opulent Velocity’, into the design of the interior space. This results in a unique interior space of the ‘Opulent Velocity’, where entertainment, artistic elements, and ambient lighting are cohesively applied, ensuring all passengers experience a highly refined and personalized autonomous driving environment.
The ‘Opulent Velocity’ maintains the luxury essence characteristic of Cadillac’s V-Series while providing extreme enjoyment only available in hypercars.
Through the multifunctional controller applied to the ‘Opulent Velocity’, drivers can switch from ‘autonomous driving mode’ to ‘velocity mode’, which, when activated, prompts the driver to take control of the steering wheel as the hidden steering wheel and pedals become visible.
Especially, the front seats of the ‘Opulent Velocity’ are attached to a single-arm Y-shaped console, directly connecting to the door structure to enhance driver safety during high-speed driving.
Furthermore, the ‘Opulent Velocity’ realizes ultimate luxury performance inspired by the proven engineering technology of Cadillac’s Blackwing on the track.
Experiences from actual track conditions converge in the ‘velocity mode’, displaying a ‘Ghost Car’ feature on the head-up display that guides the driver, providing competitive racing circuits to improve lap times or gain advantage on various designated tracks.
Moreover, the ‘velocity mode’ also displays key information such as obstacles on the road that can directly influence driving stability, driving environment, suspension damping settings, and active aero system settings.
The ‘Opulent Velocity’ captivates attention with its dramatically adorned exterior, low silhouette, and aggressive front fascia, reflecting the aesthetic elements of the ‘Cadillac V-Series.R Hybrid Racing Car’, achieving a clean yet modern image.
Notably, the ‘Opulent Velocity’ features large butterfly doors that open in an extended form, providing a wider and more comfortable boarding environment while achieving bold graphics and proportions with subtle exterior changes and controlled body design.
Cadillac’s signature vertical lighting is engraved in the tail lamps and head lamps, further accentuating the vehicle’s presence with crystal flute details in the grille. Additionally, the 3D light grille, featuring the Cadillac logo, emphasizes an artistic craftsmanship feel and presents a bold and luxurious appeal with its soft and elegant Gilded Pearl exterior color.
Magalie Debellis, Cadillac Advanced Design Manager, noted, “The Opulent Velocity is inspired by the dynamic design elements of the motorsports-specific 2+2 aerodynamic body form,” adding that “the Opulent Velocity expresses a perfect harmony that symbolizes the hypercar characterized by glamour and luxury, which anyone can covet, and it will mark Cadillac’s leadership in the electric luxury performance sector.”
The spacious interior of the ‘Opulent Velocity’ showcases design elements that wrap from the front to the back seats, providing a seamless feel while also delivering a clean and fluid ambiance that guides passengers into a higher realm of luxury.
Additionally, the ‘Opulent Velocity’ is equipped with a wide-screen display that presents information in 3D, a fully digital cockpit, a racing-inspired Y-shaped steering wheel, a voice command experience, and an intuitive infotainment system—resulting from Cadillac’s research into harmoniously integrating next-generation technologies artfully.
Meticulously crafted with the latest color, material, and finish (CMF) design elements, the ‘Opulent Velocity’ showcases the coexistence of Cadillac’s unique design heritage and future possibilities.
In particular, the interior color ‘Selene’ reflects the ‘Metallic Dark Blue’ that expresses performance capabilities on the track, showcasing the bold individuality of the ‘Opulent Velocity’. Techniques like hard torch painting that create ombre tones and advanced metal finishing exemplify Cadillac’s artisan spirit.
Furthermore, the overall interior motif produced with 3D printing incorporates a linear two-tone embroidery adorned with prism shapes, lighting choreography, and the precision typical of the V-Series, expressing the accuracy and speed of the ‘Opulent Velocity’. Additionally, cooler-toned fiber is elegantly veiled under tinted silver pearl flakes, encapsulating the essence of lightweight functional materials amidst luxury.
The ‘Opulent Velocity’ exemplifies a dedication to detail inherent in traditional craftsmanship, combined with the precision of digital production that creates an elegant tone of vivid modern hues, representing endless possibilities that bridge the past, present, and future.
The ‘Opulent Velocity’ showcases Cadillac’s evolution concerning glamour, while also proposing a model based on ‘zero-emission’ that signifies the ultimate performance and modern luxury leadership of the future.
By Sang-Jin Lee, daedusj@autodiary.kr