2024 Cadillac Celestiq Gets Concierge Design, Priced at $300,000

Cadillac will find out if there are enough buyers willing to spend Rolls-Royce money on its Celestiq when the large electric hatchback goes on sale in 2024.

After teasing fans with a concept car in the summerCadillac on Tuesday unveiled the production version of its flagship electric car and confirmed that prices will start at $300,000.

It’s a lot more expensive than anything Cadillac has offered in the past, but the Celestiq isn’t like any previous car that’s worn the crest badge. Ignoring the advanced technology installed in the car, the Celestiq will be hand-crafted to a certain extent, allowing for a high level of personalization. To help them, buyers will have an on-call concierge, as well as access to a Cadillac designer and other services. As a result, no two Celestiqs are expected to be the same.

The car’s manual assembly means production, which is due to start in December 2023, will be limited to just 1.2 cars per day, meaning annual volume will be well under 500 units. To ensure production, Cadillac invested $81 million in parent company General Motors’ sprawling Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. The bulk of the funds went toward low-volume production equipment, such as 3D printers, Cadillac said.

“The Celestiq is unlike any Cadillac before it, and the customer experience is equally exceptional,” Rory Harvey, Cadillac’s global vice president, said in a statement. “Each vehicle is a unique expression of its owner, utilizing advanced technologies that make the driving experience personal and rewarding.”

Underpinning the Celestiq is the Ultium platform and GM’s battery pack, configured here with a 111 kWh battery and a twin-motor four-wheel drive powertrain estimated to deliver 600 hp. acceleration in 3.8 seconds. The Celestiq also has a unique gear ratio among Ultium-based vehicles. The ratios have been calibrated to provide an optimal balance between performance and range, Cadillac said in a release, with the latter estimated at 300 miles per charge.

GM Ultium Charge 360 ​​App will allow owners to find and pay for electricity on the go, and thanks to the built-in 200kW fast charging system, the range can be increased to around 78 miles in 10 minutes of charging when using the DC fast charger. An adjustable regenerative braking system is also featured, and allows for single-pedal control.

For comfort, an air suspension with magnetic shock absorbers is provided, as well as active stabilizers of transverse stability. There is also all-wheel steering. The wheels are 23-inch rims with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires specially designed for the car. They are designed to provide low rolling resistance, but are classified as summer tires only. The Celestiq also has an active rear spoiler.

Compared to the previous concept, the production Celestiq features a set of conventional side mirrors instead of slimmer rear cameras. Although technology is coming rated for the US, it’s not legal here yet. There’s also a charging port on the driver’s side front fender, which was absent from the concept, and a more streamlined design for the air intakes in the front fascia.

There are no door handles. Instead, riders will press a button to open or close the door. Cadillac said that carbon fiber and metal trim elements are also featured on the exterior.

2024 Cadillac Celestiq

When you get inside, don’t look for old-world luxury like other cars priced in the area. The Celestiq’s clean, modern interior design is combined with the latest technology, including a four-pane glass roof which allows the driver and passenger to individually set the level of transparency, as well as a 55-inch digital display across the dashboard with active elements that can darken part of the screen (called digital blinds) to prevent driver distraction.

There’s also a portrait-style screen on the center console, just in front of the rotary dial controller. The center console extends to the rear of the car, dividing a pair of individual seats in the second row, making the Celestiq a four-seater. Rear seat passengers also get their own individual screens, as well as a shared screen to adjust comfort settings. Most surfaces are upholstered in hand-stitched leather, and buyers will be able to choose from a range of optional trim materials. The best audio system is the AKG Studio Reference Audio System with 38 speakers. Three additional speakers on the outside of the car create engine sounds while driving.

Cadillac has also confirmed its support for future GM Ultra Cruise autonomous driver assistance feature, which GM says will serve 95% of US roads. Like the current Super Cruise system, Ultra Cruise will still require the driver to constantly monitor the situation and take action if necessary. Otherwise, it will turn off. This means it will still be level 2 on SAE scale of self-driving ability. To achieve the higher level 2, autonomous driving systems must operate in eyes-off mode. Ultra Cruise will be available as a wireless upgrade in 2024. The Celestiq will also be equipped with an automatic parking system capable of parking in or out of a spot under driver control from behind the car.