Cadillac’s Opulent Velocity Concept Fuses Luxury With Power

Cadillac unveils a concept car combining classical exterior design with a battery-electric powertrain and luxurious flourishes, which can serve as a personal performance car or automated vehicle if the owner desires.

During a pre-reveal briefing for the Opulent Velocity’s debut at Pebble Beach in Monterey, CA, Bryan Nesbitt, executive global design director, Cadillac, describes the vehicle as a pure expression of innovative design and prestigious performance that combines advanced technology with bespoke luxury while providing a vision of electric performance for the Cadillac V-Series.

“Opulent Velocity is an experience-based design study,” says Nesbitt. “It's the future vision of luxury performance, incorporating Cadillac’s leadership in hands-free driving capabilities, electrification and performance excellence.”

The luxury elements built into the concept vehicle reach beyond traditional notions of luxury, according to Nesbitt: “It goes way beyond finishes, textures or materials to deliver a new level of luxury.” The Opulent Velocity could enable a Level 4 autonomous capability that creates a hands-free immersive experience through multi-sensory modes via a full widescreen display and augmented reality head-up display.

Elements of the concept car’s design are certain to show up in future Cadillac production vehicles as General Motors fills out its BEV portfolio, Nesbitt adds.

Rebecca Waldmeir, design manager, Cadillac Digital Experience, says Cadillac brought to bear scientific insight of sound and light waves during the development of Opulent Velocity and leveraged these findings throughout the cabin, incorporating curated art, entertainment and ambient light to immerse travelers in a sophisticated individualized hands-free environment.

By drawing on some ideas from Cadillac’s V-series hybrid race cars, Opulent Velocity features a low silhouette, a tucked front fascia and sleek surfaces with a clean, modern aspect that underscores the vehicle’s proportions. The exterior design offers front and rear entry and egress through large butterfly doors, says Magalie Debellis, advanced design manager, Cadillac.

“Opulent Velocity is “a signal to the world that Cadillac intends to lead in electrified luxury performance,” she says.

Cadillac’s vertical lighting signature explores crystal fluted detailing, seen on the taillamps, headlamps and grille, further complementing the vehicle’s expressive stance, Debellis says. The evolution of Cadillac’s illuminated badge features a 3D-lit grille, emphasizing the synergy between jewelry, sophistication and technology. Adding to the bold and luxurious appearance, the exterior is painted in a light Gilded Pearl hue that is both soft and elegant.

The Velocity experience provides the user with the maximum thrill of a hypercar vehicle, while keeping the sense of luxury that has become synonymous with Cadillac V-Series.

Triggered by the touch of the multifunctional controller, Opulent Velocity transforms from autonomous mode to Velocity experience. Once Velocity is activated, the steering wheel and pedals present themselves and the user is prompted to take hold of the wheel. The concept’s front seats saddle the cantilevered Y-shaped console and are mated directly to the door, helping secure the driver for high-speed maneuvering.

Brandon Vivian, executive chief engineer, Cadillac, says the Opulent Velocity will utilize an “advanced version” of GM’s Ultium battery-electric platform.

The concept vehicle can switch from the luxury Opulent mode with its bespoke features to the Velocity mode where the driver is in command just as in V-Series Blackwing with its track-proven engineering offering the ultimate in luxury performance, says Vivian. In Velocity mode, the vehicle conceptualizes a “Ghost Car” function that displays on the HUD screen serving as the vehicle user guide. This mode presents a competitive driving course that allows drivers to improve their lap times or compete against peers on various designated tracks. According to Vivian, Velocity mode can dictate driving enhancements, including road overlays, active information about road conditions, and complete control over active aero and suspension-dampening settings.  The emphasis is on maneuverability and leveraging the car’s technology for the best experience for the driver.