Cadillac has finally released more information on the Celestiq, and it’s clear that the EV favors elegance above sheer power. The bespoke car now has a dual-motor 600HP drivetrain, all-wheel drive, and a 111kWh Ultium battery pack. The combination has a 0-60MPH sprint time of 3.8 seconds and a range of 300 miles. According to Cadillac, this makes it one of the fastest cars “in the category,” referring to vehicles such as the Mercedes-Maybach S Class. It’s hardly going to turn Lucid Air or Tesla Model S Plaid owners green with jealousy. Instead, the emphasis is on comfort – this might be one of the gentler-riding electric vehicles on the market.
The Celestiq blends the softness of adaptive air suspension (a common sight in luxury vehicles) with the CT5-V Blackwing’s fast-reacting Magnetic Ride Control. A “Cadillac-first” Active Roll Control technology ensures a more stable ride through corners, while custom 23-inch wheels and tyres guarantee precise handling as well as reduced road noise. There are performance references like an active rear spoiler and “out-of-phase” rear steering that increases low-speed agility, but this isn’t a track car.
The interior is not-so-subtly meant to spoil drivers who would otherwise spring for vehicles like the Mercedes EQS, as mentioned in July. The signature features remain the 55-inch dash display and variable-tint “smart glass” roof. Still, you can also expect a 38-speaker AKG sound system with spatial audio, three external speakers, and active noise cancellation to hush the outside world. There will also be the previously mentioned Ultra Cruise hands-free driving, 12.6-inch seatback passenger screens, extensive LED lighting, and a new camera system with accident recording and theft detection. Google services like as Assistant, Maps, and the Play Store are pre-installed.
The Celestiq is scheduled to go into production in December 2023, with a “north” price of $300,000. Even more than the Hummer EV, this is intended primarily for extremely rich purchasers looking to make a statement, including those who may hire a chauffeur to drive. If you want a reasonably priced electric Cadillac, you’ll have to look at the Lyriq. GM is also developing more cheap Ultium-based EVs, such as Chevy’s future Silverado truck and Equinox SUV, so you won’t be left out if the Celestiq and other vehicles are beyond your price range.
