Key Takeaways
- Cadillac Opulent Velocity imagines the future of luxury performance cars, combining engaging dynamics with autonomous driving.
- Jaw-dropping exterior design and warm interior provide a glimpse into the future of Cadillac luxury.
- Cadillac has no plans to put the Opulent Velocity into production.
The Cadillac Opulent Velocity concept car made its debut at this year’s Monterey Car Week showcasing the future of electric luxury. This sleek, stylish vehicle isn’t what you’ll see in your driveway anytime soon, but rather an exercise in what could be as we move toward electrification and autonomous vehicles.
Cadillac
Cadillac is a luxury automotive brand that is a part of General Motors. Founded in 1902, it has a long history as a premium luxury brand. Its current lineup includes both sedans and SUVs with a variety of propulsion systems, including a growing number of electric vehicles. In addition to luxury, Cadillac also focuses on performance, particularly with its V-Series vehicles.
- Founded
- 1902
- Founder
- Henry Leland
- Headquarters
- Warren, Michigan
- Owned By
- General Motors
The idea of the Opulent Velocity is to push the boundaries of design, so it doesn’t look like what you’ll see on the road today. It builds on the EV design found in vehicles like the Celestiq, with a focus on bespoke luxury combined with the performance of Cadillac’s V-Series vehicles. This unique approach involves two separate experiences in one vehicle. There’s Opulent on the luxury side and Velocity for performance.
“Our focus is really an experience-based design with these different driving modes.”
– Rebecca Waldmeir, Architecture & Experience Design Manager
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The Ultimate Luxury Is Time
Opulent doesn’t simply mean having an interior that looks beautiful and is finished in luxurious materials, though that’s definitely a part of the story. It also means freedom to use your time in a way that allows for more personal freedom. Imagine Level 4 autonomous driving, which no longer requires a driver’s constant attention.
“The opulent mode is really about re-imagining this relationship between time and travel, as we can talk about in autonomous vehicle mode. It’s where it can be more engaging for the customer and the driver and it can be something that’s both physical and visual.”
– Rebecca Waldmeir, Architecture & Experience Design Manager
In this mode, there’s a multisensory experience with a widescreen display and an augmented reality head-up display. Cadillac used the science of sound and light to develop the Opulent Velocity to create a unique environment no matter where they sit in the cabin. It combines art, entertainment, and lighting for a full sensory experience.
Hypercar Performance With Luxury Trappings
Velocity aims to deliver the performance of a hypercar with all the comforts of a luxury car. It’s the evolution of the Cadillac V-Series. Simply tap the multi-function controller to end autonomous mode and engage in the driving experience. The steering wheel and pedals present themselves in this mode and the driver is prompted to take the wheel and drive. The driver is always perfectly positioned to be in control with seats that are mated right to the doors, creating a secure cocoon for high-speed driving.
“It’s really a beacon of what the ultimate expression of zero-emission performance could capture in an execution of ultimate luxury, leveraging technology.”
– Bryan Nesbitt, Executive Global Director Cadillac
This isn’t just for spirited driving on roads, but is instead inspired by vehicles like the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing that are designed for track days. There’s even a unique Ghost Car that shows on the head-up display with a competitive driving course that records lap times to compete against your friends on select designated tracks. Road overlays, road condition information, and the ability to control active aero and suspension dampening are all a part of the Velocity experience.
A Jaw-Dropping Exterior
The exterior design of the Opulent Velocity looks every bit the hypercar. A long low body with a massive butterfly door on each side provides easy entry despite its low height. They’re sleek and unobtrusive when the doors are closed and striking when they’re opened and pointing toward the sky. Adding to that dramatic presence are unique lighting elements on both the front and rear. There is crystal fluted detailing on the taillamps, headlamps, and grille along with an illuminated Cadillac badge and a 3D lit grille. The finishing touch is an exterior adorned in Gilded Pearl paint.
An Interior That Offers A Warm Welcome
Open those butterfly doors and you’re greeted with a new version of luxury. A flowing design wraps around the driver and passengers with surfaces that move from the front to the rear without interruption. Everything appears to be suspended to give the illusion that you’re floating. There’s also a unique center console with an eye-catching design and a Y-shaped steering wheel as a nod to its racing inspiration.
A Cadillac Concept That May Reach Production
Cadillac Sollei Is America’s Answer To The Rolls-Royce Droptail
Cadillac has a habit of revealing stunning concepts it never gets around to building. Hopefully, it will buck the trend with the exquisite Sollei.
The interior color, Selene, is a dark blue metallic, intended to signify the car’s track capability, and uses brushed finishes combined with torched painting techniques for a bespoke appearance. The motif used throughout the interior was created with 3D printing and includes linear two-toned embroidery and prismatic enhancement that amplifies the light. There are also flax fibers under tinted silver pearl flakes to add to the luxurious design.
The Cadillac Opulent Velocity is a concept of not just a car but of the future. But unlike the Sollei, which could actually reach production, this one never will, and that’s kind of heartbreaking; because just look at it.
