- Cadillac has unveiled the Opulent Velocity concept, an all-electric hypercar.
- It’s a design exercise, but some ideas could reach future production vehicles.
- GM said the V-Series and Blackwing have elevated the brand to a point where more is possible.
Cadillac’s future is electric and that means the era of the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 is coming to a close. When it does, it will be a sad day for the V-Series.
However, it won’t be the end of performance Cadillacs. Quite the opposite and the brand is showing the possibilities with the Opulent Velocity concept. It’s billed as the “ultimate expression of … zero emissions hypercar luxury performance.”
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As the name suggests, the concept is a study in contrasts as it tries to balance luxury with performance. On the Opulent side, Cadillac believes the ultimate luxury is time as the clock never stops ticking. However, you can ‘get time back’ thanks to a Level 4 autonomous driving system. It’s envisioned to take the hassle out of driving, so you can sit back and relax on your commute.
With a touch of the multi-function controller, the concept transitions into Velocity mode which triggers the steering wheel and pedals to present themselves. Furthermore, the heads-up display activates a “ghost car” function to present a “competitive driving course that allows drivers to improve their lap times or compete against peers on various designated tracks.” The company also envisions a whole bunch of other things but, let’s be honest, it’s mostly conceptual nonsense.
That being said, Cadillac officials told us the concept previews some future ideas they’re exploring. In particular, the ‘fluted glass’ hints at a possible evolution of the brand’s vertical headlights. The model is also notable for having illuminated wheel caps, a steering wheel-mounted display, and large butterfly doors that help to improve entry and egress.
One of the most interesting details was revealed in a media briefing last week, where officials told us the concept rides on a ‘future version’ of the Ultium platform. They went on to say the coupe hints at where they want to take the V-Series and Blackwing brands in the future.
Surprisingly, it sounds like Cadillac could eventually offer a dedicated V-Series or Blackwing model in the future. That remains to be seen, but officials said 20 years of performance have given the brand the credibility and respect it needs to elevate things even further. This means that, in the future, it’s possible that we could see a high-performance Cadillac ‘at this level.’ Think of it as the V-Series equivalent of the Celestiq.
Putting all that aside, the concept builds on the aesthetics found on the V-Series.R race car and features a functional 2+2 design. Speaking of the interior, it sports a cantilevered Y-shaped console as well as front seats that flow into the doors when shut. Designers said this gives the feeling of sitting in a luxurious cocoon.
