Cadillac continues its journey to reclaim its image as the quintessential American luxury car, this time with an electric twist. Following the Lyriq and the more intriguing $340,000 Celestiq, Cadillac has unveiled the Sollei Concept, showcasing a level of beauty that hasn’t been seen in the General Motors brand for a long time.
The car, which appears modern in design, harks back to Cadillac’s greatest models of the past. Although it is currently a prototype, it could soon go into production.
Cadillac Sollei and the Return of Convertibles
Cadillac’s past often meant convertibles, and the brand has produced some of the most famous open-top cars ever, thanks in part to Hollywood. However, in the past 50 years, the brand has focused more on SUVs and sedans, with the only exception being the XRL.
The Sollei indicates that we won’t have to wait long to see another Cadillac convertible, one that will compete with modern vehicles from Jaguar, Ferrari, and Maserati. After all, the open-air experience is at the heart of this project, with the name combining “Sol” (Sun) and “Leisure,” and is pronounced like the word “Soleil.”
The car, a fully functional vehicle, is built on General Motors’ Ultium platform, specific to Cadillac, which also underpins the Celestiq with which the Sollei shares nearly everything.
Imposing in size, the entire body is made from a mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass, with a minimalist design approach. The front end features bespoke “sunburst” lighting elements. The rear lights also borrow this theme and are one of the clear highlights of the exterior design.
The metal elements throughout are all genuine, finished in a unique Aurora tint. These were chosen over the brand’s more traditional “chrome” accents—a material that is being gradually phased out by other manufacturers. There is no trace of plastic throughout the entire prototype, befitting its place at the top of the lineup.
The 23-inch wheels also look chrome, harking back to the brand’s peak in the 1950s. The Manila Cream exterior color is taken directly from the brand’s 1958 catalog, represented as it was without any modern additions.
Interior Highlights
The yellow Nappa leather has been refreshed with an iridescent pink pigment that enhances the finish and aims to reproduce the colors of the sunset, particularly that of the West Coast.
Surrounding this is magnificent craftsmanship and woodwork, with five different hand-cut wood veneers across the door panels, seatbacks, and dashboard. The entire motif is inspired by the sun, just like the car’s name.
The car also features a bespoke minibar with Sollei-specific glassware, which has the same pink pigment as the seats. Tapping into the current popularity of bird watching, Cadillac has also equipped the Sollei with a set of bespoke bird calls, complete with curated paintings of different avian varieties.
The electronics are borrowed from the Celestiq, but the 55-inch screen comes with graphics specifically designed for the concept car.
