TheWild ™ Posted May 27, 2024 Posted May 27, 2024 Being really, really rich isn't the only prerequisite for the chance to purchase a Cadillac Celestiq—the brand's new hand-built $340K-plus electric flagship. Prospective customers also have to be vetted before they get the green light to buy one of these super-low-volume rolling sculptures. Getting on the Celestiq's exclusive waiting list is just the beginning of a commissioned build process that's more like what ultra-wealthy Rolls-Royce owners expect than anything a Cadillac customer has ever seen. To see how the other half lives, and—more important—to get an inside look at how a bespoke Celestiq is built, we were invited to visit Cadillac House at Vanderbilt. The original building was designed by architect Eero Saarinen but is now named after Sue Vanderbilt, a pioneer designer at General Motors who penned famous Caddys like the 1958 Eldorado Seville coupe "Baroness" and the Saxony convertible during a career that spanned from 1955 until she retired in 1977. The glass-walled Cadillac House is prominently situated on GM's Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan. Getting Hosted at Cadillac House Celestiq customers start out answering preliminary questions that help the design team better understand who the buyer is, which obviously plays an important role in learning that person's sense of style. That initial process is done virtually, and the rest of the highly personalized experience can be too, if the customer so chooses. But for those who want to make the trip to Cadillac House, they get to work hand in glove with an expert concierge. In a nutshell, the Celestiq is a battery-electric avant-garde four-passenger hatchback that's built by hand and tailor-made for individual customers. It also features a unique platform based on General Motors' Ultium battery technology, with dual electric motors that provide all-wheel drive as well as 600 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac estimates a full charge will take the Celestiq about 300 miles. Now back to the build process. Customizing the Celestiq When it comes to personalizing the Celestiq, it's really about how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. Cadillac has mastered 200 exterior colors, but the paint choices are infinite, as the company will color-match anything. And we mean anything. Want your Celestiq to match the Honolulu Blue worn by the Detroit Lions? Done. Have a classic car with a discontinued paint job that one of your grandparents used to own? Just get the Cadillac design team a sample and voilà, you'll be turning heads and honoring your loved one. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60897261/cadillac-celestiq-build-process-details/
Recommended Posts