Cadillac unveiled a new concept vehicle today based on its flagship luxury EV, the Celestiq. Officially debuting in 2022, the Celestiq may have been a return to form for an automotive brand once synonymous with luxury but if you look at Cadillac models from the ‘50s and ‘60s (we’re talking Eldorados and Coupe DeVilles), there still seems to be a discrepancy between old and new.
Presented in a marvelous cream exterior, the new Cadillac Sollei concept looks to correct a decades-long drought of fun, brazenly designed automobiles, serving as a preview for future bespoke commissions.
A hybrid of “sol” (sun) and “lei” (leisure), Sollei looks like a heritage Cadillac at first glance but is bustling with modern features that make it anything but. It’s an all-electric 2+2 drop-top with amenities such as the 55-inch pillar-to-pillar screen, a front and rear command console, and exterior lighting effects on the vertical headlights, which carry over from the Celestiq. It’s also the first-ever concept car from Cadillac to use Fine Mycelium, a bio-based material from mushroom roots and developed in tandem with MycoWorks. The Sollei employs the material on its charging mats and door map pockets.
Other features include a billet aluminum windshield frame with a color-shifting tint, an integrated beverage chiller on the door, and interior nods to bird-watching, such as the 3D-printed acrylic bird calls, a leather journal with hand-painted illustrations, and a leather roll for writing/drawing utensils.
Cadillac’s Design Director Erin Crossley stated that “Sollei reimagines the discovery of travel, envisioning a personalized driving experience that connects one with the natural world around them. The concept celebrates Cadillac’s pedigree of elegant convertibles in a modern form by cultivating high luxury through design expressions and experiences.”
We’re burying the lede here by not mentioning the one detail that draws your eye to the Sollei more than anything: its color. Employing a Manila Cream color that was used for Cadillac models in 1957 and ‘58, the vehicle recalls vintage Cadillacs while standing on its own as a modern creation. Revived for this concept, the color was hand-painted onto the exterior, only accentuating the car’s width and length. The clean aesthetic is maintained thanks to discreet door handles.
Meanwhile, the interior complements the outside with the same cream color, utilizing unique stitching patterns all throughout and finished with a pink iridescent pigment that evokes the effects of the sun in the morning. It’s all accented with wood paneling, including the eye-catching display behind the seats which uses five different wood veneers. The ambient lighting is also built for customization with distinct zones and 126 color options for each.
Model: Sollei Concept
Model Year: 2024
Engine: Unspecified
Exterior Color: Manila Cream
No word on performance specs but it’s perhaps built with the same powertrain as the Celestiq: a dual-motor electric engine with 600hp and 640lb.ft of torque. We shall see how the Sollei incorporates these features in future Cadillac models. Head over to the brand’s website to learn more.
Cadillac’s latest Sollei concept car is based on the Celestiq EV and blends modern tech with retro fun, employing a Manila Cream exterior from the late-’50s.
