There are some mighty big changes afoot at Cadillac. The luxury brand is ramping up its all-electric vehicle lineup with a slew of new models, starting with the Cadillac Lyriq crossover, while the upcoming Cadillac Celestiq halo sedan promises a bonanza of cutting-edge tech features. Critically, however, we think there’s still one glaring hole in Cadillac’s lineup – a mid-engine Cadillac sports car based on the Corvette C8.
From the off, we should mention that the concept of a mid-engine Cadillac sports car based on the Corvette C8 is not exactly new – far from it, in fact. The idea has been floated by various vehicle artists, and GM Authority has explored the idea on numerous occasions. As it just so happens, GM Authority was rendering mid-engine Cadillac sports car concepts even before the release of the Corvette C8.
Most recently, however, we rendered up a mid-engine Cadillac concept with C8 underpinnings and shared the concept with an opinion post that declared GM needs to share the C8 Corvette’s Y2 architecture with Cadillac. Now, we’re back at it to explore that concept further.
For starters, the front fascia is similar to that of the new Lyriq EV. The fascia incorporates what is technically an “EV grille,” so we made the intakes larger around the edges for improved brake cooling. These also play double duty as the front aero curtain, while we added a new center intake below the grille for better overall aero management.
The side profile is highly aggressive, and presents “hidden” door handles. The side air intakes around the door line are treated differently between the front and rear angles of the rendering in order to provide a better idea of what’s possible.
Then we have the rear end, which incorporates the latest Cadillac design language, including vertical and horizontal lighting elements. Note the aggressive diffuser and center-mounted dual exhaust treatment.
Finally, monochromatic Cadillac logos are used throughout, another modern touch for the mid-engine Cadillac sports car.
Granted, the new Cadillac Blackwing sedans are impressive in and of themselves with regard to performance capabilities. However, a full-blown mid-engine Cadillac sports car is simply a necessity in order to boost the brand’s image, and, like we’ve said before, the Corvette platform is simply too good to waste.
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Comments
Looks like a NSX
with that said, I like it!!!! very cool
I don’t care much for the 2nd rendering( the one with the giant holes in the hood) really disjointed looking and the nose seems to be slipping off….
The “hidden” door handles are touch switches that activate the electric door releases. You can read how they operate in the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq owner manual which can be downloaded from the Cadillac web site. I wonder what level of electric power the EV version will have, probably from the Hummer. And the cost will be in the six digits!
Look how many time will do they have to do this till we learn it is a failure.
The problem is the Corvette is so good why would you pay more for a Cadillac that is not really better or that much better.
The XLR V was a good car but the cheaper Z06 was better and being a Corvette more iconic.
To do a lower priced model would not work either as then would it be a Cadillac?
Cadillac needs an open roadster GM should have kept the C7 as a Cadillac in some form.
C8.R:
Could not agree more. We’ve seen this movie before, and it doesn’t end well.
Mr. Lopez writes:
“the Corvette platform is simply too good to waste.”
HOW IS IT BEING WASTED ?!?!?
“Critically, however, we think there’s still one glaring hole in Cadillac’s lineup ….”
Well then it’s also a hole in the lineup at most of Cadillacs competition too. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, are all living quite happily without a mid engine 2 seater.
I agree with this. It would be better if such a Cadillac were fully electric. Then it would be competing with upscale sedans such as the Model S, Lucid Air, and the Mercedes EQS.
Yes a Cadillac sports car would have to be electric. But it would not be competing with any of those sedans. That’s what the Celestiq and other Cadillac EV sedans are for.
This baby looks a lot like my ctsv coupe which I love, but if you put a Motor in it, I will pass!
Looks a little like the Audi R8 to me, and I definitely like it better than the C8, especially the ass end. Looks way cleaner and not so squared off.
Forget a mid engine design. Cadillac should have a Grand Touring coupe with front engine proportions. Much like a Lexus LC.
There is a “2-door Cadillac Coupe” planned for the 2nd gen Ultium batteries.
The first gen is scheduled to a bunch of 3 SUVs, the Celestiq and the Escalade EV.
I like the rendition’s styling – its Cadillac pedigree is strong and not at all looking like a rebadged Corvette. But where would it be built? I’m not sure the Corvette factory is big enough to take it on while keeping quality at as high a level as would be demanded.
Assuming GM could make it happen, I think this could really work especially if it is exclusively electric. Let its high performance be as smooth and silent as a Cadillac is expected to be.
What is this a knock off R8?
The first design try might be, but the second design with the Lyric-Like front end is quite different overall.
Wow, wow and triple wow. GM has to build the second rendering right now!!!
It looks fantastic. Now imagine bringing back the Blackwing engine into this…. I need to stop, I know this is too good to be true. But hey… we can always dream.
If it’s EV or Hybrid I’d be on the list to buy one until then I’ll keep my ELR and continue loving it. Haven’t had to buy gas yet this year. 💜
1ST DESIGN YES , SECOND ONE NO WAY
THE CURRENT C8 SHOULD EVOLVE TO A MORE MATURE DESIGN LIKE THIS
Nice NSX.
It is about time that Cadillac takes advantage of its excellent racing history. They can not lose with a followup sports modal.
Great Idea GM! Create another vehicle that you cannot produce with years of waiting lists! Oh, and where are you going to get the chips and other hard to get pieces to produce it? And what a great target it will be for the green crowd.
I Really like the Lyric inspired render. It should be AWD and fully electric with Tycan beating Performance and handling
Audi R8 with the Cadillac emblem on the grill.
Don’t care for the rendering.
My thinking…the cars will attract 2 different markets..Corvette buyers are faithful to their cars…but so are Cadillac buyers…why not up the market share of mid engine GM cars? they don’t interfere with each other and will result in a bigger North American market share. Corvette is an icon muscle car…Cadillac is luxury combined with power. I think that is what the author meant by “the Corvette is too good to waste”…meaning why not milk the concept. I own an XLR and when I bought it, I bought it for the Cadillac goodies that the Corvette did not offer at that time, you could not buy a hard top Corvette like you finally can now, and they truly are 2 different vehicles. I am all for it! PS I have a C8 on order because I only drive hard top convertibles and they finally filled my dream in 2020. Can’t wait to get it I am #3 at my dealer now after almost two years!
The 2nd rendering is the love child of an R8 and the NSX. Maybe the artists renderings could be less “cut & paste”.
If Cadillac wanted to leverage the chassis, maybe make it more shapely and less sharp lines, like the new Ferrari Roma. People could choose which style they like better. I’ll keep my C8 until then….
Quit messing with perfection.
Cadillac (C8 rebody) with a 4.2 Blackwing V8 and all-wheel drive (single or dual electric motors up front.) Would it make sense for the remanding years left on the C8 platform? I like the idea!
i can still remember when my aunt n uncle drove up to visit my parents house back in the early 1960’s and remembering those giant wings and taillights flashing … i actually thought one day this car will fly… lol
on a serious note, i actually look forward watching the new ‘Caddy’ get a complete makeover moving into the 21st century with all the new upcoming technology like 360 degree cameras and 0-60 in under 2 seconds…
…maybe in the next decade the corvettes and Caddy’s will actually Fly… hopefully i will still be around…
in the meantime, I’m really excited to see the mid engine ‘Caddy’ get a new life!
C’mon guys. Your renderings are usually spot-on and inspirational . But these are both duds! The Lyric/ R8/ NSX mashup looks just like that. And the other one I looks like it was penned 10 years ago. If GM were to do this, it would need to be as stunning at the Cadillac concepts were over the last several years
Well done, GMA. You rendered an NSX with the front end cut and pasted from the Lyriq.