God, that’s an awkward word to type… and pronounce. Regardless, the upcoming Celestiq is a halo for the brand — a fastback-style four-door electric with exclusivity in spades. General Motors envisions it as a limited-production offering, and its price will reflect its status.
We felt it necessary to share this tweet from Wall Street Journal reporter Mike Colias, who squeezed this from Cadillac President Steve Carlisle:
Leftover scraps from Cadillac flagship ‘Celestiq’ news: It’ll be hand-built in the hundreds per year, Caddy chief Steve Carlisle said. Price? Six figures … “and it won’t have a 1 in front of it.” Due mid-2022.
— Mike Colias (@MikeColias) March 5, 2020
With no renderings available, we can’t judge the visual appeal of the Celestiq, which rides atop a new third-generation EV platform and draws power from proprietary battery tech GM hopes to license to other manufacturers (for a fee). Still, one can’t help but dream of Cadillac brass dusting off the gorgeous Elmiraj and Ciel show cars of yesteryear and slotting a modular EV platform underneath.
With bodies like that, who needs cylinders and a fuel pump?
As you read earlier today, GM President Mark Reuss believes Cadillac has an image problem, and a range-topping flagship stickering for (possibly) a quarter million would certainly raise the marque’s profile… while also raising eyebrows. Still, the ability of such a vehicle to shift public perception in a meaningful way remains to be seen. If it’s a sales dud, well, that’s another image problem to deal with.
The Celestiq’s existence (well, future existence) makes one wonder whether rival Lincoln, which also has an EV roadmap, will follow suit with a halo car of its own. It’s something a few of us here would like to see.
Just what we need. A Cadihack Momma Celeste
Huh?
Lol the company punching out 2.0T minivans thinks it can compete in the $200k+ segment. As supposed ‘tons’ of EVs start to hit the market I fully expect automakers will find it hard to sell higher priced EVs, particularly in brands associated with 2.0 ICE crapboxes. The brands with cache will have a good run with these higher priced EVs until people start realizing that the mid priced EV is no better than the high priced EV.
The differentiator in the ICE world is the engine, drive mechanisms, and suspension setup. Those three things are the majority of the difference between a $10,000 car and a $100,000 car.
If all companies are sharing the same EV platform then who the hell is going to pay for the same $250k motors in a Cadillac as the $45k motor over at Buick?
Better material quality and slightly different sheet metal do not make a car worth $200k more. A W16 engine in a car weighing 3,100#s does make a car worth $200k more.
But I suppose the point is that EVs are for the ultra wealthy and highly image conscious so mainstream acceptance isn’t the purpose.
What good is a halo if celestial being it adorns is basically Christopher Walken from The Prophecy: 3?
The brand isn’t worthy of a halo. Fix the product. Fix the brand.
Should have come out with the Elmiraj or Ciel YEARS ago.
There’s nothing wrong with the product or the brand.
deliriouq
“The brand isn’t worthy of a halo. Fix the product. Fix the brand.
Should have come out with the Elmiraj or Ciel YEARS ago.”
Bravo, man, you’ve managed to completely contradict yourself within two sentences.
“Should have come out with the Elmiraj or Ciel YEARS ago”
You think it didn’t, in your Universe?
A $200K Cadillac in 2020 is pants-on-head stupid. Was the V16 of the 1920s even over $200k inflation-adjusted?
If the only way GM can make these new EVs “profitable” is to price them in WTF territory then they are in for a bad time.
Another “how to bankrupt yourselves, again” for the pile.
because the Cadillac ELR really sold well
their only mistake was that they didn’t price it high enough
It’s epiq – it’s fantastiq – this electromagnetiq Cadillaq will generate loads of showroom traffiq.
Thank you – it’s been a rough day, and I needed a laugh.
About that stupid headline….
Here come all the Cadillac haters with their insipid, fact-less, moronic comments.
Give us some facts then.
Tell you what – tell me what Cadillac is, and then I’ll say if I like it or not.
Deadweight.
Paging Deadweight.
Deadweight-Deadweight-Deadweight
there is nothing cool about Cadillac. in fact, they represent stuck up jerks who know nothing about the car biz, or how to treat people.
I wouldn’t have one for free.
did just lease a Red C7 drop though. 24×15/yr $1585/mo. Love it.
That’s a lot per month.
Better be a ZR1 for that price.
sure looks nice in the Man Cave. had a couple dozen friends over for filet and wine. my daughter gave a presentation and they signed up to borrow it. I love the car business, it brings the people together.
no incentivized residual. straight ALVG thru Ally. didn’t have to use those incompetent nitwits at GMF. I’ll have enough equity in August to recoup my spend, may just keep it. made 2 payments but haven’t driven her yet.
Despite being a huge fan of American luxury, I unfortunately must agree with you. As kids in the late 70’s/ early 80’s, we watched Cadillac damage itself badly with: overproduction, terrible engines, subpar build quality and an arrogant refusal to properly respond to European brands. 40 years later I’m in my 50’s, and the affluent demographic who could have been repeat Cadillac buyers. Instead, we’re still watching Cadillac continue it’s sad decline. Seeing the CT5 in person with it’s mediocre style, materials and powertrains, I felt angry.
From the website (found with some difficulty):
“CADILLAC PILLARS
. INNOVATION
. PERFORMANCE
. CRAFTSMANSHIP”
The “Innovation” link discusses driver aids, Apple CarPlay/Siri, the MyCadillac App, wireless phone charging, available Wi-Fi, available 34-speaker Bose Panaray sound system, lightweight/quiet vehicle architecture, and virtual reality.
[Cadillac – there is a typo in here somewhere – “ENHANCED RIGIDITY
Innovative fusion technologies are used to combine 13 high-pressure aluminum casting and high-strength steel into a single rigid, lightweight frame.”]
The “Performance” link discusses Brembo brakes, Magnetic Ride Control, All-Wheel Drive and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential.
The “Craftsmanship” link says every Cadillac is “handcrafted” and “Made not Manufactured” – the primary evidence offered for this is a barely-functional embedded youtube link (no sound, no pause, no FF/RW) highlighting the cut-and-sew process for Cadillac interiors. There are sections for Natural Wood, Premium Leather and Performance Materials (the sueded microfiber on the Recaro seats).
Cadillac has just told me that Apple is innovative, Brembo makes high-performance brakes, and Recaro makes seats. [And proceeded to throw out some half-truths at best regarding anything special about their leather process.] What they have *not* told me is why Cadillac – why Cadillac products, why Cadillac dealers, why the Cadillac ownership experience [I can find a section on “Ownership Benefits” but I have to look around for it]. Why?
Cadillac – who are you and why should prospective customers take notice – it is your job to spell this out and back it up. (Lots of people would like to see you succeed.)
“ The “Performance” link discusses Brembo brakes, Magnetic Ride Control, All-Wheel Drive and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential.”
I notice they ignore their turd blossom 4 cylinder turboz. It’s like bringing out the C8 exactly as it is except with the iron duke instead of the LT2.
So to sum up discussion: B&B thinks that no matter what Cadillac does it sucks by default. We don’t even know much about Celestiq other that couple of sentences in media but B&B already knows the answer.
Same was said about Tesla, that it sucks. And it is fastest growing luxury brand in the Universe.
“no matter what Cadillac does it sucks by default”
Cadillac has had one game plan for the past 30 years
Let’s make smaller cars that chase the Germans at 95% of the cost.
It’s failed – spectacularly. They have repeated this maneuver over and over since then. It’s insanity. One would be foolish to think they suddenly figured this whole thing out after decades of claims that “the fix is in”, have come and gone.
I actually think the concept is great, a $200K flagship is exactly what Cadillac needs, and has needed for some time. Their concept cars have been undeniably beautiful and if this ends up looking anything like those, it should be a legitimately desirable halo car.
That said, I think its foolish to make it an EV; a flagship car should have absolutely no compromises. Make it a plug in hybrid if you absolutely must bow to environmental pressures. But I have a better idea.
Cadillac is basically unique in being able to credibly offer a V16 engine. Doing that, and proudly flaunting the sub 10 mpg sticker and associated gas guzzler taxes would be “daring greatly”. A middle finger to conventional wisdom. There’s no risk in building an EV, everyone is scrambling to do that. Go the other way.
Exactly what Jack said, unfortunately GM does not have enough balls in the entire corporation to do something that daring.
It’s a nice idea.
Too bad about not being able to recoup the development costs even if they manage to sell 100,000 of them. So it won’t happen.
Having recently test-driven a Cadillac, I have to agree with you about the 2.0 turbo being in too damned many vehicles. Even the 3.6 isn’t all that impressive. We ended up with an MKZ with the 400hp 3.0 V6. It has what we couldn’t find at the Cadillac dealer: a serious rush of effortless power combined with a docile nature. Cruise in comfort, but look out when you put the hammer down.
In that respect, I believe that moving to the Tesla model of electric performance is a good move. The four cylinder turbos That infest far too many “performance luxury” vehicles (this true of the German offerings, as well) are inadequate for what a luxury performance car should be.
The part I can’t understand is why they killed the Blackwing, it’s exactly what the brand needed., a bespoke, modern, no-compromise powerplant.
It’s not about development costs at this level.
You think Ford recouped their investment in the GT? Porsche with the 918? It’s about creating buzz and excitement around your brand.
Rather than announce a 1000 hp Hummer EV that just apes what every other automaker is trying to build, use that money to develop a V16 from two LT2s or 2 Blackwings, also 1000 hp, announce two flagship vehicles, one sedan and one uber-Escalade type SUV, price them at $250K each, with Rolls Royce level interiors, and make the Cadillac brand aspirational again. EV flagships repeat the mistakes of the last two decades, where Cadillac becomes a knockoff of German brands, offering nothing new or unique.
Would this be a guaranteed success? Of course not. But its better than the guaranteed failure of the path they are choosing now.
Another vote for Jack. Building an expensive EV is -chasing- the market again. The first year comparison reviews are already written:
“Very nice and well made but not worth the price premium over the Tesla S.”
The second year reviews are also already in the can:
“ A great car, hobbled by dealer’s inability to fix quirky software bugs; GM promises more training for mechanics at Cadillac .
A V-16 engined “Maybach” type Cadillac would be on the cover of every magazine in the world; not just the Car Rags.
Again, the story writes itself.:
“The Internal Combustion Engine is finished says Cadillac, so as a parting tribute Cadillac Is building the Ultimate ICE car. “This completes the circle says Cadillac spokesman. We built the first and greatest V-16 car, and now we will build the last. As this is the last time we will build any ICE car so we wanted to pay tribute to our history as “The Standard Of The World“ by building a car that is again truly “The 21st Century Standard Of The World.
Very few of these cars will be built but we hope to have enough to display one at least for a while in every major city so people can see a true no-compromise Cadillac.” Also on display are the first “Cadillacs of the future”; American size and comfort with Cadillac power but producing no emissions.”
There’s a huge risk in building an EV without a Tesla badge because the market doesn’t look like it wants anything else.
Celestiq? WTF is that? It sounds like an anti-depressant.
Don’t take Celestiq if you’re allergic to Celestiq. May cause high fuel consumption, excessive depreciation, and high priced repairs. See a technician for breakdowns lasting more than four hours.
The name is dumb, but if the car has a proper flagship aura like the Elmiraj and Ciel concepts, nobody will care.
This is your one chance, Cadillac. Make the car big, extravagant, head-turning, and more luxurious inside than a high-end Mercedes.
That’s a “but” so big you need to go to special websites to see it.
Having to sell it at most current Cadillac dealerships will kill it stone dead.
No one – repeat, NO ONE – who can afford a $200K automobile is champing at the bit for Cadillac, GM or the UAW to build one.
Some of the biggest news in the announcement was totally missed by TTAC. The new batteries are 60% more energy-dense than what is in the Bolt now and cobalt use is down by 70% and replaced with aluminum. Cost should drop below the $100/Kwh.
Some of the biggest news in the announcement was totally missed by TTAC. The new batteries are 60% more energy-dense than what is in the Bolt now and cobalt use is down by 70% and replaced with aluminum. Cost should drop below the $100/Kwh.
Five commenters just began researching furiously the human and environmental costs of bauxite mines.
It seems that everyone is waiting for the new Cadillac Cyniq instead of the Celestiq ( and yes these new names are bad, but we have no idea what the cars attached to them will be). I also agree that GM has been overpricing it’s cars, they shouldn’t be more expensive to buy than the competition.
Who is the competition? Lexus, Mercedes or Rolls Royce? If Mercedes – does Mercedes make hand built cars and if yes how much they cost? I do not think than less than $200K.
Every few years, Cadillac professes to be reinventing itself, offering some combination of “bold, confident, premium…something”. Claims of greatness came with the 2013 ATS, the 2016 CT6, the XT6, and now the “eek” models. Ugh, this brand cannot get traction. Cadillac has had multiple “last chances”, gasps for air, and faced criticism at every turn. They should just focus on what actually IS working: Escalade.
No, Cadillac, no.
This thing should be the replacement for the damn CT4/CT5, priced around $40-50K………. not a Taycan competitor. I can jump on the court in the middle of an NBA game…. that doesn’t make me a damn NBA player. Similarly making a $200K car doesn’t mean you compete in that space
When will the misery end? It’s almost like GM doesn’t want to win
A year’s supply of Celeste pizzas with the purchase or lease of a new Celestiq.
First picture: Is it a logo, or is it a camera bracket? This is the style equivalent of hanging clothes on the electrical cables drilled through the exposed joists in the basement – it may have been convenient, but it was never a good idea.