Cadillac, pioneer in American luxury automobile, steers towards a nascent direction with its adoption of a culmination of luxury, performance, electrification and autonomous mobility. Christened ‘Opulent Velocity,’ it marks a significant direction for the brand’s Blackwing division which denotes its’ performance motives. Shown in a 2+2 two-door guise, the concept features Butterfly doors, an eclectic variety of shades and materials and innovative technology that is as futuristic as it gets.
Opulent
The concept can be interpreted by understanding the context of the words, ‘Opulent’ and ‘Velocity.’
Opulent is to denote the pretensions akin to a racecar but in a paradigm racecar’s haute-couture. The elegance that this concept exudes is not just through its design or materials used in its construction, but level-4 autonomous driving capabilities that promote a holistic experience while the occupants lay immersed in fiddling with tech and Augmented Reality Head-up Display.
For the car to self-steer and propel, Cadillac made immense use of light and sound waves in its development so that it could accurately monitor the backdrop and safely reach destinations.
Velocity
The suffix, Velocity alludes to the performance aspect of the concept and all trickeries incorporated inside the car to optimize the frolic behind the wheel on a regular paved asphalt or race track have been studied and worked here.
As seen in some contemporary concepts, when Velocity mode is activated, a multi-functional controller changes the interior setting to allow the driver to take control of the steering wheel and pedals on the floor. The seats revise their placement to be positioned near the doors and provide reassurance to the driver when tackling cambers or dangerously high speeds.
This wholesome experience has been governed by the brand’s Blackwing arm that pays fawning attention to driving dynamics, engine performance and other mechanicals that combine to deliver enthusiasm on the race track. Additionally, the car has been endowed with a “Ghost Car” feature that indicates drivers with directions to better themselves in driving when they are behind the wheel by leveraging a HUD screen to relay vital performance and driving information.
It can also predict and inform road overlays and conditions, and suspension dampening rejigs according to the requirement.
Aesthetics
Drawing inspiration from the appearance of Cadillac’s V-Series hybrid racecars, the car sports an overcoat of hues that spout luxury. The profile is identical to a quintessential hypercar as it sits low to the ground and bears a crouched front hood. Ingres is provided through beautifully sculpted butterfly doors that open up wide for effortless entry into the second row.
A hypercar without gaudy elements would be a design err. Hence, Cadillac has inducted tastefully designed vertical lighting strips that adorn the headlamps, tail lamps and grille areas of the car. These days, lighting has become an indispensable part of a car’s design. To make the concept an instant show-stopper, the brand’s illuminated insignia now flanks a 3D lit grille. The Gilded Pearl colour that braces the concept’s appearance is intentionally thought to impart sophistication to its design.
Interior
As manufacturers bid for the most advanced and large screens and do away with physical buttons and knobs, the Opulent Velocity concept obeys this bandwagon and presents a flowing dashboard outline with an infotainment system dominating the instrument binnacle to around the wrap-around dashboard silhouette.
Worth highlighting is the 3D windscreen display that disperses all the crucial information, the driver must have in front of his eyes. Another hallmark would be the joystick-like steering wheel which has wide arms to grab it firmly and brings a breath of fresh air against today’s rotund ones.
The Dark Blue colour, ‘Selene’ in Cadillac’s parlance is to highlight the concept’s track performance abilities. Looking regal and special is the artistic brush finish, made possible with hard torched painting system.
Clever use of 3D printing has been made on the upholstery’s motif to underscore acceleration and tautness while driving. Accompanying this, is prismatic ornate that reverberates the lighting pattern inside the vehicle.
Summary
The Opulent Velocity proportionately melds the signature design cues of Cadillac cars from the past and present, while being cognizant to the demands of buyers in a future that would be replete with electrification. An exemplary design, ground-breaking workmanship and technology to harness autonomous driving, the concept serves everything to the platter.
Being amongst the firsts to feature these traits, it is anticipated to catch the fancy of techies and buyers scouting a package that is out of the box.
