Cadillac Concept Cars

1. 2002 Cadillac Cien Concept

A stunning, mid-engined supercar powered by a 7.5-liter V12 engine, designed to celebrate Cadillac's 100th anniversary.

The 2002 Cadillac Cien Concept was a futuristic sports car unveiled by Cadillac at the Detroit Auto Show to celebrate the brand's 100th anniversary. "Cien" is Spanish for "one hundred," reflecting this milestone. The car was notable for its cutting-edge design and technology that suggested the direction Cadillac's future vehicles might take.

Designed by Simon Cox, the Cien had a striking, angular appearance with sharp lines that was a significant departure from Cadillac's traditional styling. Its body was constructed using carbon fiber, contributing to a lightweight structure, and it featured scissor-style doors, which added to its exotic appeal.

Under the hood, the Cien was powered by a 7.5-liter V12 engine called the Northstar XV12, which was made entirely of aluminum. This engine could produce around 750 horsepower and utilized a system called Displacement on Demand, allowing it to shut off cylinders when full power was not necessary, thereby improving fuel efficiency.

The interior of the Cien was just as advanced as its exterior, featuring high-tech amenities such as adaptive cruise control, night vision, and other sophisticated electronic systems. Though the Cien was never intended for production, it served as an inspirational model for Cadillac, showcasing technology and design themes that would influence the brand's future directions.

2. 2016 Cadillac Escala Concept

A sleek, large liftback sedan that previewed Cadillac's evolving design language and future tech. They should have built it.

The 2016 Cadillac Escala Concept was unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, serving as a showcase of Cadillac's future design direction and technology. The Escala, which means "scale" in Spanish, was intended to represent the next step in Cadillac's design evolution, emphasizing luxury, technological integration, and performance in a larger, more elite vehicle.

The Escala is a large four-door sedan with a fastback silhouette, a design choice that blends classic luxury cues with a modern, sporty profile. The car featured a bold new iteration of Cadillac’s iconic vertical lighting, with thin, deep-set organic light emitting diode (OLED) elements front and rear. The Escala's exterior was painted in a smooth, understated gray, which Cadillac referred to as a complex reflective flake structure. The overall design was both sophisticated and subtly aggressive, showcasing clean lines and balanced proportions that signaled a mature yet contemporary vision for the brand's aesthetic future.

Under the hood, the Escala was equipped with a powerful 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which was part of a new generation of engines from Cadillac designed to offer high performance alongside improved efficiency. The concept also featured advanced technologies such as the Cadillac Super Cruise, an early version of the brand's semi-autonomous driving system, and a new and innovative connectivity suite that promised to keep drivers seamlessly connected to their digital lives.

3. 2022 Cadillac CELESTIQ Concept

A bold, hand-built electric fastback sedan showcasing the pinnacle of Cadillac's design, technology, and ultra-luxury aspirations.

The 2022 Cadillac CELESTIQ Concept represents a bold vision for the brand's future, emphasizing luxury, technology, and electric mobility. Unveiled as a show car intended to preview an upcoming flagship model, the CELESTIQ is a testament to Cadillac's commitment to lead in the luxury electric vehicle (EV) market. This vehicle is a part of General Motors' broader strategy to transition to an all-electric future, showcasing cutting-edge design and technology.

The CELESTIQ stands out with its striking and distinctive design, featuring a low, sleek profile that merges classic luxury cues with futuristic elements. The exterior design is characterized by dramatic proportions, including a long, low hood and a fastback rear, which contribute to an overall appearance of elegance and power. The vehicle's hand-built nature and extensive use of glass throughout the architecture, including an all-glass roof, accentuate its exclusivity and futuristic appeal.

Technologically, the CELESTIQ showcases numerous innovations, including advanced connectivity features and next-generation active safety technologies. One of the standout features is its smart glass roof, divided into four quadrants, each capable of being adjusted for transparency, allowing passengers to control the amount of natural light entering the cabin. The powertrain of the CELESTIQ is all-electric.

4. 2011 Cadillac Ciel Concept

A luxurious four-door convertible concept showcasing a softer evolution of Cadillac's design language. Very Rolls-Royce-like.

In 2011, Cadillac unveiled a concept that captured the essence of luxury and the spirit of innovation: the Cadillac Ciel. Revealed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Ciel, French for "sky," was a bold declaration of Cadillac's vision for the future of luxury convertibles. With its breathtaking design, sophisticated technology, and powerful performance, the Ciel redefined expectations for what a luxury car could be.

The Cadillac Ciel was a four-seat convertible that mesmerized onlookers with its elongated, elegant proportions and a design that paid homage to the scenic beauty of the California coast, a source of inspiration for its creators. The car's expansive wheelbase and low stance accentuated its graceful yet commanding presence. The open-air design was complemented by a retractable hardtop, which blended seamlessly into the body when down, maintaining the sleek profile.

Craftsmanship was paramount in the Ciel's design. The exterior featured a unique blend of smooth lines and sharp angles, a contemporary take on Cadillac’s classic aesthetic. The vertical lighting, a Cadillac signature, was reimagined with LED lights that framed the front and rear in a dramatic display of innovation.

Inside, the Ciel pushed the boundaries of luxury. The interior was a sanctuary of comfort, crafted with Italian Olive wood, machined aluminum, and hand-tipped leather. Each material was chosen for its quality and ability to create a tactile experience that was as luxurious as it was comforting. The cabin’s layout emphasized spaciousness and light, offering each passenger a plush, individual seating area. Technology was seamlessly integrated, with hidden touch-sensitive panels that emerged from under the wood trim when needed.

5. 2003 Cadillac Sixteen Concept

A massive, retro-inspired luxury sedan powered by a 13.6-liter V16 engine, paying homage to Cadillac's opulent heritage.

Unveiled at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac Sixteen Concept was a daring and dramatic display of luxury, power, and audacity that stood as a tribute to Cadillac’s storied past while boldly charging into the future. Named for its V16 engine, this concept car was not just a showcase of Cadillac’s potential in the ultra-luxury segment but also a beacon of American automotive craftsmanship and innovation.

The Cadillac Sixteen's design was a masterpiece of automotive artistry, combining elements of classic Cadillac elegance with modern design cues. It stretched over 19 feet long, and its proportions were a modern interpretation of the grandeur of the vintage Cadillac V-16 of the 1930s. The Sixteen featured a long, low stance accented by a bold, imposing grille and a clean, sleek body that exuded luxury and power. The car's large, detailed wheels and subtle use of chrome highlighted its luxurious appearance, while the deep, rich black paint completed its majestic presence.

Inside, the Cadillac Sixteen was equally impressive, furnished with the finest materials, including crystal, hand-stitched leather, and specially chosen woods. The cabin provided expansive legroom and supreme comfort for all occupants, encapsulated within a layout that epitomized the pinnacle of luxury vehicle interiors.

Underneath its polished exterior, the Cadillac Sixteen harbored a technological marvel—an all-new, 13.6-liter, 32-valve V16 engine capable of producing 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque, without the help of turbocharging or supercharging. This powerplant was a nod to the opulent V16 engines that propelled the luxurious Cadillacs of the early 20th century, yet it was thoroughly modern with features like Displacement on Demand, which allowed it to run on fewer cylinders when less power was required, thereby improving fuel efficiency.

6. 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74

A futuristic concept car boasting a bubble canopy, radar-guided collision avoidance system, and twin nose cones. Totally wild.

The 1959 Cadillac Cyclone XP-74 is a standout piece of automotive history, emblematic of the era's fascination with space and aviation. Unveiled during an age where car designs were heavily influenced by rocket ships and jet aircraft, the Cyclone pushed boundaries with its futuristic aesthetics and innovative features, encapsulating the optimism and forward-thinking of the late 1950s.

The Cyclone's appearance was unlike anything else on the road at the time. Designed by Harley Earl, the legendary General Motors stylist, it featured a sleek, rocket-inspired body that made it look more like a space vehicle than a car. One of the most striking features was its nose cones, which housed radar sensors meant to aid in collision avoidance—an incredibly advanced concept for its time.

The car's sleek, black fiberglass body contrasted sharply with its white, bubble-top canopy that provided 360-degree visibility. This canopy was not just a design choice but also a functional element, designed to automatically retract along with the doors sliding open, enhancing the ease of entry and exit in true futuristic style.

The Cadillac Cyclone was packed with technological innovations that were revolutionary for its era. The radar sensors embedded in the front of the car were designed to detect objects ahead and warn the driver of potential hazards, a precursor to modern-day collision avoidance systems. Moreover, the car featured an advanced communication system that allowed the driver to communicate with others outside the vehicle without opening the windows or doors. Its exhaust system was routed through the rear bumper, and it boasted an independent suspension system that was ahead of its time for offering a smoother ride. The Cyclone also included power-assisted brakes, steering, and seats, emphasizing comfort alongside innovation.

Powering the Cyclone was a 390 cubic inch V8 engine, which was typical of the high-performance engines Cadillac was known for during this period. The engine showcased Cadillac's commitment to combining power with luxury, ensuring that the Cyclone was as powerful as it was visually striking.

7. 1988 Cadillac Voyage Concept

A futuristic, mid-engined sedan showcasing a sleek design, technologies like voice control, heads-up display, and an huge glass canopy.

The sleek 1988 Voyage concept car was a “rolling laboratory” of technology. Its computer- controlled drivetrain automatically switched from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive when sensors determined slippage in the rear wheels, providing a 50/50 torque split from front to rear.

Voyage was equipped with four-wheel-disc brakes with electronic anti-lock braking, four-wheel independent suspension and electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. Its orthopedically-designed seats included more than 20 pneumatic and mechanical adjustments, three memory positions, plus back and cushion heaters with cushion massage.

This luxury sedan had all-new computer-controlled all-wheel technology hidden under its streamlined body; the front axle was automatically engaged when rear-wheel slippage was detected.

The Voyage was equipped with ABS, an electronically controlled five-speed automatic gearbox and a voice-activated telephone system. Its orthopedically-designed seats included more than 20 pneumatic and mechanical adjustments, three memory positions plus cushion massage. The Seville CTS adopted a number of the Voyage’s styling cues when introduced in 1991.