Cadillac has blended its past with its future with the unveiling of the Sollei Concept. Massive, OTT convertibles were once the preserve of Cadillac, the pinnacle of American luxury and opulence. But it has been decades since GM’s top dog offered one. Okay, there was that Corvette-based XLR but there hasn’t been a proper Cadillac drop top since the mid-70s.
Is that all about to change?
The Sollei is a pure concept at this stage, but it will be seen out and about at car events like Pebble Beach where the wealthy enthusiast can get a good glimpse at it, and tell Cadillac executives if they should build it.
Production is not out of the realms of possibility as the Sollei is based on the same Ultium electric platform as the ultra exclusive, and largely bespoke Celeistiq. The cars are virtually the same from the A pillar forward.
Cadillac says the Sollei concept vehicle is ‘the ultimate design expression of a coach-built luxury electric convertible. This imaginative design exercise pushes the boundaries of future bespoke commissions, tailored to reflect the unique passions and interests of its clientele’.
Some highlights of the all-electric, 2+2 convertible include the brand’s signature 55-inch pillar-to-pillar screen, exterior lighting chorography for arrival and departure, and intuitive front and rear command console.
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The name is a mash up of sun (‘SOL’) and leisure (‘LEI’), and so is intended to represent ‘Cadillac’s optimistic inspiration for an open-air, leisurely lifestyle’.
“Sollei reimagines the discovery of travel, envisioning a personalized driving experience that connects one with the natural world around them,” said Erin Crossley, design director, Cadillac. “The concept celebrates Cadillac’s pedigree of elegant convertibles in a modern form by cultivating high luxury through design expressions and experiences.”
The styling is described as ‘exuding emotion and embodies Cadillac’s unmistakable bold proportions. The low, elongated body is accentuated by a wide stance and long coupe door, facilitating easy access to the spacious rear’. Conventional door handles are replaced with discrete buttons helping to enable the clean profile line.
Harking back to its glory days, the colour, Manila Cream, was originally used on Cadillacs in 1957 and 1958.
Interior features include a fully integrated beverage chiller with a power glass door and crystal glasses. The decor is wrapped in unstained wood veneers, honors natural color and grain pattern variations, while surfaces feature open pore finishes that can be felt by touch.
