Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Cadillac Ciel Concept designed for decadent drives up the coast

Cadillac has chosen the backdrop of this week's classic car festivities in Monterey, California to debut a new concept convertible called the Ciel, which means "sky" in French. The four-seat, four-door drop top was designed to be the ultimate carriage for a drive up the coast, as well as hints at Cadillac's aspirations to offer flagship luxury products in the future.

The Ciel is powered by a 425-horsepower, twin-turbocharged version of GM's 3.6-liter V6 engine with direct injection that's augmented by a hybrid system using lithium-ion batteries. Those massive 22-inch wheels may not look that large because the Ciel itself is a big boat with a wheelbase 12 inches longer than a CTS sedan and overall length cresting 200 inches. Cadillac says the car's shape is more natural and organic than its current design language, perhaps expressing more Art than Science with smoother lines and softer curves than we're used to seeing. We particularly like the slightly rising chrome accent line along the rocker panels that stretches the length of the Ciel.

Exterior aside, inside the Ciel is where we want to be. Passengers are absolutely coddled in their individual bucket seats with unique niceties like pull-out blankets to ward off an evening's chill, aromatherapy controls in the armrests and a drawer containing sun screen, sun glasses and a towel. Of course, technology is ever-present in the cabin with each seat having its own suite of connectivity options and the center dashboard being topped with an inductive charging surface.

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/cadil...photo-4377652/

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/18/c...-up-the-coast/

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Glad to see that this is how GM decides to waste taxpayer money.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I must say its a striking concept that pays homage to cars of yore. I like it, much like the Ford Interceptor concept in 2005

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

A sign of things to come?

The rebirth of the XLR?

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Cadillac has always had stunning concepts. Let's translate this into something roadgoing. They need a big flagship, something to go up against the LS, 7 and S. Otherwise, it's just the CTS and they remain in the back with Infiniti and Acura.

Lil4X

Nice concept, much better fit to Cadillac's wheelhouse than the XLR that was a misbegotten Corvette wannabe - rather more like Bentley's GTC. I'd like to see it produced, even though I won't be purchasing one soon.

whoster

...

I like it.

G Star

iTrader: (2)

I like it but if they're going to use the same materials as they did making the Escalade, may the gods help us all!

Big Andy

Absolutely stunning looking car, harking back to the golden age of Cadillac. It actually looks like an American car and doesn't try to ape the Japanese or Europeans. Bring that out and people will start to look at Cadillac as a true luxury brand again.

ceo2be

Let see Lexus designers come up with something like this. I highly doubt it.

JessePS

Just release the Sixteen already!

Lil4X

Agreed, the Sixteen is still the most original (if vintage) concept around the Motor City today - despite being penned nearly nine years ago.



Great halo car, really miserable timing. At least with the V16's "Displacement on Demand" system cutting out unneeded cylinders at cruise, it will deliver all the fuel economy of a 7-liter V8 . . . well, less pumping losses.

Still it's a concept that harks back to the golden age of motoring, with a penchant for gratuitous display of engineering and manufacturing exclusivity.

T0ked

iTrader: (2)

Yup. Typical Caddy. Great concepts. Just build one already!!!! I'd be drooling for this Ciel or Sixteen if produced. When they drove the Sixteen on Top Gear UK, they had the rare praise for Cadillac and said to please build it. Eitthe one would be suitable flagship luxury car for caddy and USA.

TRDFantasy

You're right, Lexus designers would never come up with something like this, because it's very ugly .

Gojirra99

I like it and hope it will make it to production(I think unlikely though) ......