Recently, Cadillac started revealing details about what it refers to as its “ultra-luxury” Electric Vehicle (EV), which everyone is already calling its flagship model. This is one of two EV models coming soon from Cadillac, part of GM’s overall commitment to fielding at least 30 EVs by 2025. While I’d love to be able to give you all the specs and every detail about the Cadillac Celestiq, sadly, we just don’t know enough yet – Cadillac is still being pretty tight-lipped about some of what we can expect.
Fortunately, however, enough has been shown off to give us a decent overview of some of the Celestiq’s highlights and most impressive features. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Cadillac models, interested in the latest EVs hitting the road, or just want to know what the future of the auto industry will look like, this is absolutely a vehicle to pay attention to. I don’t know if it will have everything needed to take down the Tesla Model S, but it’s sure to be an interesting matchup as they go head-to-head in the next few years. For now, however, let’s take a look at what GM has revealed about the Cadillac Celestiq.
EV Performance and Range
One of the most important aspects of any car, and certainly of an EV model, is the kind of performance and range you can get from its battery and motor system. Sadly, this is an area where we don’t have every bit of information that I’d like – though there is some stuff to take a look at. In general, the early specs look excellent, though it’ll be interesting to see if they change at all over the next few years before its release.
We know that the Cadillac Celestiq will be built using the GM Ultium battery platform, which is going to make it a lot of fun to drive. With that in mind, GM has also said that it will have a range of more than 300 miles on a full charge. Looking at the current Tesla Model S, which is likely to be the Celestiq’s primary competition, that number isn’t exactly mind-blowing. The Model S already has a maximum range of more than 400 miles on a full charge, and that could go up by the time the Celestiq arrives. So if Cadillac really wants to go head-to-head with it, they’re going to need final numbers that at least come close to that.
The only other real information about the Celestiq’s performance that GM has revealed is that it will have all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. Based on other EV models out there, that likely means that it will have two motors – one in the front and one in the rear. This would give it excellent acceleration and overall performance. The Tesla Model S Plaid, however, with its tri-motor system, has a top speed of 200 mph and can go from 0 to 60 in just 1.99 seconds. So if GM wants the Cadillac Celestiq to keep up with that, they need to deliver something very impressive.
Gorgeous Exterior Design
We haven’t exactly gotten a final, full-vehicle look at the Cadillac Celestiq, but what GM has shown is absolutely gorgeous. I know a lot of writers use words like “stunning” and “gorgeous” all the time when describing vehicles, but the Celestiq really earns those adjectives. The overall look and feel of the glimpses we’ve had are fluid, graceful, and elegant; it’s impossible to look at the shape of this thing and not want to let it loose on the highway.
A glass roof has become something of an expected feature when it comes to a high-end EV model, and the Cadillac Celestiq certainly doesn’t disappoint. It features a smart glass roof that seems certain to set the bar for the competition in the years ahead. Not only can you control just how transparent the roof is, but each quadrant can be controlled and set individually. So the driver and each passenger can decide on if they want to ride in the shade or get a clear view of the sky overhead.
The front fascia seems to pretty-well match Cadillac’s other big EV model in development, the Lyriq Electric Utility Vehicle. They appear to share a front grille design with thin lights that give the front end a warm appearance, along with an illuminated Cadillac badge. From the vague outline we’ve been able to see, it seems to sit pretty low with an aggressive stance that really makes you want to feel how it drives.
Stunning Interior Features
Although we certainly haven’t been given a comprehensive look inside the all-new Cadillac Celestiq, what little we’ve seen so far is downright glorious. The dashboard is going to basically be a single, spectacular display that stretches across the entire frontend of the interior from one side of the vehicle to the other. It really makes you feel like you’re looking at the inside of a vehicle from a sci-fi movie and demonstrates how far Cadillac is pushing the envelope.
Based on what we’ve seen, there are four bucket seats inside the Celestiq, rather than a rear bench seat, giving the driver and each passenger their own space. This is perfectly in tune with the four-panel smart glass roof, which really allows each person in the vehicle to control their environment in a way you simply don’t find in other vehicles. The idea of each passenger having their own space is further reinforced by individual displays for each rear passenger so they can stay entertained or connected on the road.
We haven’t seen anything specific, but it can be safely assumed that luxurious and premium materials like leather, wood, and metal accents will be included throughout the inside. There will certainly be plenty of passenger space, especially with each person having their own seat, plus it looks like cargo space won’t be a problem. Despite a sleek exterior that feels like a sports sedan, Cadillac has called the Celestiq a hatchback, so there should be plenty of space for everything you need to take with you.
Taking Safety to the Next Level
We don’t know all the details of the safety features that will be included and available for the Cadillac Celestiq, but they’re sure to be the cutting edge of what GM has to offer. One thing we do know, however, is that it will include GM’s Super Cruise system, which is their semi-autonomous driving technology. Super Cruise is already being rolled out with new vehicles this year, and more models should feature it in the years to come. So it’s pretty much a safe bet that the Celestiq will have the latest version of it once it hits the road.
What Else Can We Expect?
We don’t have any kind of release date for the Cadillac Celestiq, other than the fact that GM has said that it’s part of their lineup of EV models set to be available by 2025. So, at the latest, we’ll see it as either a 2025 or 2026 model, though it’s entirely possible it will become available before then. Based on what GM has shown, I’d say it’s pretty likely that the Celestiq will start at $100,000 or more once it is available, with additional features and options pushing that price even higher.
Right now, a Tesla Model S Long Range starts at about $80,000, with the Plaid models starting at about $120,000. So the Cadillac Celestiq will likely fit into a price point right around in there. It certainly has the design and technology to justify that price; it only remains to be seen if its performance will give Tesla some serious competition. I, for one, hope it does.
