Cadillac, recognized worldwide as a prestigious luxury brand, has faced some challenges in recent years due to shared parts with General Motors, which has somewhat affected its brand status. Additionally, with the discontinuation of the Eldorado in the early 2000s, Cadillac has not launched a true flagship vehicle for over two decades. However, this situation is about to change with the imminent arrival of the handcrafted electric flagship Celestiq, brightening Cadillac's future. Today, Cadillac unveiled the new Sollei concept car, a two-door convertible that further emphasizes the brand's strength in luxury and elegant automobile manufacturing.
Sollei is the two-door convertible version of the Celestiq electric series, showcasing a sleek design that shares front design elements with the Celestiq. Both vehicles utilize the same chassis and overall length. While Cadillac remains tight-lipped about specific details of the powertrain, company representatives have stated that Sollei employs the Ultium platform.
The Sollei concept focuses more on craftsmanship and aesthetics than pure performance. Its name is derived from "sol" (sun) and "Lei" (luxury and tranquility), conveying a sense of lightness and elegance, with a minimalistic rear light design. The vehicle's length grants it a significant presence.
Sollei is hand-painted in a creamy Manila color, which first appeared in Cadillac vehicles between 1957 and 1958. The convertible rides on 23-inch shiny silver wheels, with additional metallic touches, such as the polished aluminum windshield frame. The buttons are integrated into the door trim instead of traditional handles, with gold and rose accents throughout the vehicle.
The doors themselves are large and slide open to reveal a distinctive interior design featuring rich leather and abundant wood accents. The wood is left in its natural color and grain pattern, with an open-pore finish, and each strip of wood is hand-cut using a technique called marquetry, extending the panels along the sides of the cabin and even to the back of the seats, showcasing a unique Art Deco style.
The interior shares the same yellow tone as the exterior, beautifully complementing the lighter wood tones. The wood pattern on the seatbacks, along with the stitching and holes on the cushions, draws inspiration from the rays of sunlight. Meanwhile, the Nappa leather is dyed with an iridescent rose hue, which Cadillac claims produces a subtle color-changing effect reminiscent of sunrise.
The dashboard is largely the same as that found in the Celestiq, featuring a 55-inch glass panel that spans the width of the dashboard and contains two separate displays. Between the rear seats is a refrigerator with a powered glass door. The interior ambient lighting offers 126 color options, with many areas adjustable individually.
Cadillac's press release mentions that Sollei comes with a fabric roof. While Cadillac describes the Sollei as merely a design study, it also pushes the boundaries of future personalized design.
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