Cadillac is set to accelerate its growth with a new EV. According to The Wall Street Journal, Cadillac’s luxury electric vehicle, the Celestiq, could have a starting price tag of $300,000.
The Fully Electric Cadillac
The Cadillac Celestiq cost will vary depending on features and modifications requested by clients. The fully electric Cadillac will be built by General Motors and is expected to be unveiled before journalists at the upcoming Monterey Car Week. Reports say the carmaker will start making 500 or so units of the model every year. The fully electric Cadillac is expected to take on premium end models in the EV segment in terms of luxury and price. At the time of Lyriq’s release, Cadillac had revealed that it has plans for the electric Celestiq, a small SUV similar to the compact XT4, a three-row bigger SUV, and a full-size SUV.
Recently, the company tasted success with the launch of its Cadillac Lyriq electric SUV. Orders have been closed for 2023 as the vehicle is in high demand. From mid-May the carmaker announced that booking will be taken for 2024. The SUV which was priced competitively at a starting rate of $62,990 found many buyers, who were attracted by its good looks and efficiency. The Lyriq is the headliner for Cadillac as it is the first of GM’s brands to go all-electric by 2030.
The Celestiq will not roll off GM’s usual factories, rather it will be hand-built at an $81 million facility being set up at its Global Technology Center in Warren, Michigan, where less than 500 cars are manufactured annually. Although details are hard to come by, experts speculate that the car will have a driving range of over 300 miles per charge. The flagship electric sedan is supposed to bring back the standards that inspired its “Standard of the World” slogan. Teaser images show the slogan imprinted on the screws used to fasten a door handle. Inside a horizontal detent stretching from behind the top of the wheel arch is a depiction of the “art deco goddess” hood ornament that was featured on some models from the 1930s to 1950s, the last being the 1959 Eldorado Brougham. The ornament is positioned in such a way that it looks ready for takeoff and makes one nostalgic for Cadillac’s of the old, which were known for their glamor and status.
Earlier, the carmaker had announced that the Cadillac electric sedan will have a panoramic sunroof. It will give each passenger individual electronic control over its transparency.
According to the WSJ, Cadillac’s luxury electric vehicle might arrive with a customized wood trim in the cabin and could also have the latest version of GM’s hands-free assisted-driving system, called Ultra Cruise, pre-installed. The Cadillac Celestiq EV will mostly go into production by the end of this year.
The EV Market
General Motors has mentioned that the Cadillac will drive the carmaker’s foray into EVs. GM has plans to introduce a wide range of EVs in the North American market that has seen a high demand for electric vehicles in recent years. It also has plans to gradually phase out its gasoline powered vehicles. Currently dominated by Tesla, automakers are slowly waking up to the potential in the EV segment.
Dealers have repeatedly stated that buyers have expressed genuine interest in EVs and hybrids. The Cadillac Celestiq cost which is expected to start at $300,000 will put it in line with Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.
No date has been set for the complete unveiling of Cadillac’s luxury electric vehicle although EV enthusiasts hope it is sooner rather than later.
