Cadillac has taken the wraps off the Sollei, an ultra-luxury electric convertible concept that, if it hits the production lines, could give the Rolls-Royce Spectre a run for its money. The Sollei is built on the foundation of the Celestiq, Cadillac's flagship model, which is handcrafted in limited production and starts at a cool $300,000, or about 1.1 million shekels before taxes are factored in.
The body has been reinforced and adapted for an open-top configuration. Although the manufacturer has kept technical details under wraps, it's expected that the powertrain will mirror that of the Celestiq: a pair of electric motors delivering 600 horsepower, capable of propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in under 4 seconds. The 111 kWh battery is anticipated to provide a range of approximately 300 miles (480 km).
The Sollei is also likely to inherit the advanced suspension setup from the Celestiq, featuring air springs and active stabilizer bars to enhance ride comfort at low speeds and minimize body roll at high speeds. Active rear-wheel steering (3.5 degrees) will improve maneuverability. Connection to the pavement will be handled by wide Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires (285/35) mounted on 23-inch wheels.
What else should car enthusiasts know? The exterior design echoes the Celestiq, with a body color called Manila Cream, reminiscent of Cadillac models from the late 1950s. The side doors open electrically at nearly 90 degrees to ease access, and there's ambient lighting with 126 shades, allowing for individual area adjustments.
The driver's environment features the same minimal-buttons, many-screens setup, including a massive 55-inch display across the dashboard serving as an instrument panel, a central touchscreen, a screen for the passenger, and another screen at the lower part of the central console for climate control. Rear passengers have their own touchscreen and a compact refrigerator. The interior combines leather upholstery in a color matching the exterior and wood paneling.
What do we think?
For decades, Cadillac has been striving to reclaim its status as a leading and innovative manufacturer, a reputation it enjoyed in the last century thanks to a long list of inventions and innovations it brought to the automotive industry. A partial list includes the electric starter, synchronized transmission, automatic climate control and deactivation of some cylinders under low load to save fuel.
Is there room for optimism now? The Celestiq as an impressive electric flagship and the Escalade IQ, which seems to be a worthy competitor to German rivals, suggest there might be. This stunning concept could have a significant impact if and when it goes into production. We certainly hope it does.