Cadillac Opulent Velocity EV Concept is a Stunner

Cadillac describes the Opulent Velocity EV Concept as the “future of all-electric luxury performance”.

I’m defining it as an absolutely gorgeous and powerful EV that hopefully will live up to GM’s hype.

Cadillac Opulent Velocity EV concept with butterfly doors_evelynkanter — Photo: Cadillac

Concept cars are an important showcase for a car brand.

Concepts tell us what engineers and designers are planning, and they make us drivers and buyers drool and dream of what’s coming down the road tomorrow.

It’s name is the fancier version of “luxury speed”. Those are two concepts with which Cadillac has been associated for decades.

It is the vision for future versions of the EV performance Cadillac V-Series, including self-driving capabilities, with two driving modes. One is Opulent, the other is Velocity.

Most concept cars do not get produced, although many of their design and tech features are incorporated in models already on the road, such as Cadillac’s Lyriq EV, or as an entirely new model.

Here’s a top line of what the Cadillac’s Opulent Velocity EV Concept promises –

Zero emissions luxury hypercar performance
Two distinct user experiences – Opulent and Velocity
Autonomous Drive technology and next-generation Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD)
2+2 Coupe with self-opening butterfly doors

Now the details of this advanced technology luxury concept EV –

Sideview of Cadillac Opulent Velocity EV concept vehicle_evelynkanter — Photo: Cadillac

Opulent Mode = Hands-Free Luxury

The Opulent version focuses on the personal freedom that full autonomous mobility could enable.

Level 4 autonomous capability creates a hands-free immersive experience through multi-sensory modes that are supposed to make that easy – or in Cadillac’s words, “promote respite”.

There a future version of current full widescreen display and Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD) and the capability to customize entertainment and ambient lighting.

This sounds like the driving mode most of us would be using most of the time.

Velocity Mode = Exhilarating Performance

With a flick of the switch – okay, using the multi-function controller to change driving modes – the EV kicks into super-charged head-into the-seatback oomph of a hypercar vehicle, on top of the luxury of the V-Series.

The Velocity mode is inspired by Cadillac’s Blackwing experience on racetracks.

Once Velocity is activated, the steering wheel and pedals appear magically from where they’ve been – er – parked inside the front console and floorboard, and the driver 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 — this helps secure the driver for high-speed maneuvering.

In other words – hands-free in Opulent mode, drive it yourself in Velocity mode. And drive it fast.

The concept incorporates an authentic track experience, including a so-called “Ghost Car” function that displays on the HUD screen, serving as the vehicle user guide.

This mode offers a competitive driving course that allows drivers to improve their lap times or compete against peers on various designated tracks with such features as road overlays, active information about road conditions, and complete control over active aero and suspension dampening settings.

Speed and EV Range

Nothing about speed or battery range was included in the Cadillac announcement.

That’s both surprising and disappointing, since that’s as important to the concept of concepts as the size of the info-tainment screen. Maybe more.

If and when Cadillac tells us about the speed and/or driving range between charges, we’ll let you know.

But Cadillac does want you to know – again, from the announcement, that “Opulent Velocity demonstrates the evolution of Cadillac’s revered sense of opulence, while envisioning a zero-emission expression of performance and modern luxury leadership.”

Got it.

Interior view of Cadillac Opulent Velocity EV concept vehicle_evelynkanter — Photo: Cadillac

Interior & Exterior Design Features

True to the aesthetics found on Cadillac’s V-Series.R hybrid racecars, Opulent Velocity features a low silhouette and tucked front fascia.

Unlike race cars, the Opulent Velocity has distinct large butterfly doors with expansive door openings.

There is crystal fluted detailing on tail lamps, headlamps and grille, and an illuminated badge that is supposed to represent – again in the words of Cadillac’s flowery press release – “the synergy between jewelry, sophistication and technology”. And the Gilded Pearl color is described as “both soft and elegant”.

The cabin features next generation technology, with a 3D information-enabled widescreen display, a fully digital cockpit, racing-inspired Y-shape steering wheel, voice command user experiences, and an intuitive infotainment system.

The interior color, “Selene” is a bold metallic dark blue, another signal to the brand’s racing heritage. There are brush finishes and hard torched painting techniques that create ombre hue color tones.

3D printing technology is used on seating to create two-toned embroidery with prismatic effects that echo the vehicle’s ambient lighting scheme. Flax fibers are used, for their light weight and sustainability.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.