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Cadillac Sollei Concept Revealed As Ultra-Lux Convertible

Cadillac just unveiled the new Cadillac Sollei concept, a two-door drop-top that takes after the all-electric Cadillac Celestiq halo sedan.

GMA‘s own Alex Luft saw the concept in person; check out his impressions (and all the details) in the video below.

Caddy calls the Sollei concept “the ultimate design expression of a coach-built luxury electric convertible,” and a design study that “pushes the boundaries of future bespoke commissions.” The cabin is adorned in high-end materials and incorporates a few special themes, while the exterior is draped in a classic Caddy color plucked from the late ‘50s.

Highlights of the Sollei concept include an all-electric powertrain and a 2+2 seating layout. The exterior design mirrors that of the Celestiq, which served as the donor car to make the Sollei concept, with long proportions and a low stance, but distinguishes itself with a two-door configuration, as compared to the four-door Celestiq sedan. The Sollei’s doors are longer, and its rear end is different from that of its donor. The concept’s exterior is finished in a color dubbed Manila Cream, a nostalgic nod to a factory Cadillac color offered between 1957 and 1958.

The all-electric Cadillac Sollei concept.

Inside, the Sollei’s cabin design features Cadillac’s signature 55-inch pillar-to-pillar digital screen, also seen in the cabin of the Celestiq. The interior also incorporates Fine Mycelium, a bio-based material developed by MycoWorks, which is used in the charging mats on the console and the door map pockets. Fine Mycelium is a renewable material grown from the root structure of mushrooms, underscoring the sustainability theme.

Other notable interior features include a beverage chiller with a power glass door and crystal glasses, customizable lighting zones with 126 color options per zone, and Fine Nappa leather with a pink iridescent pigment.

A unique bird-watching theme is also integrated into the Sollei concept, which features a custom brushed metal and leather-wrapped case with 3D printed acrylic bird calls and a leather-bound journal with hand-painted bird illustrations.

The Cadillac Sollei concept was unveiled at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt in Michigan, located within the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Cadillac House at Vanderbuilt is the location where Celestiq customers personalize their sedan, leveraging a wide range of bespoke options. Across campus, a team of craftsmen hand assembles the Celestiq.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Now, THIS I could get on board with, if it wasn’t an EV. WHY is it? Get with the program, GM, already!

    Reply
    1. This is the type of vehicle that actually makes sense as an EV. Most would never be driven long distance and the performance would be unmatched compared to an ICE vehicle.

      Reply
      1. How many people are going to buy a USD$ 400,000 anything?

        People here seem to be going nuts over nothing.

        Suburban Washington, D.C. maybe , and Lake Tahoe, but doubt ill ever see a single one

        Reply
        1. 7500 people lined-up to buy a Mustang with a 350K starting price…

          It won’t be hard to get 500+ buyers for this beauty.

          Reply
    2. As I said on caddy society, take out the gobbledygook and you’ve got a nice ride. I’ll give you $80,000.
      .

      Reply
      1. This, if built to the current Cadillac standards would cost over what a base, (if you call it that) Celestiq, you are looking at something north of $400K. Just look at the woodwork.

        Reply
        1. Well that’s a point – to my eyes that’s the least attractive part of this car. There is a tasteful amount of Real ASH wood in my LYRIQ, and something like that would be ok here.

          My LYRIQ wasn’t the cheapest like the Debut bargains were, but I got in on the second tier for $62,000.

          This car’s battery is bigger, so for a 2wd version I figure with the big battery and some tasteful, amount of real wood (but not overdone as was done here), that its worth $80,000, if you took out the fluff first..

          Reply
          1. I believe you do not understand the automotive market and segments. The Celestiq is a hand-built custom vehicle, not by Kindig Designs or West Coast Customs, (both of whom I respect) but by Cadillac.
            You could have waited and gotten a Chevrolet Equinox and paid less than your Cadillac for the same basic technology, but you did not.
            The Equinox is a pretty nice ride too.

            Reply
            1. I believe you do not understand the difference between the Equinox and the LYRIQ in this automotive market.

              The Equinox has a 85 kwh battery. Mine is a 102.5 kwh battery, also almost every option available was STANDARD at no extra cost during the 2023 model year. Range being my most important feature so the extra 17.5 kwh capacity to me is very important.

              All the extra unimportant crap will be recouped to me come trade-in time.

              Reply
    3. Wow, a moveable feast for the eyes!

      Reply
    4. EVs make so much more sense than ICE cars, as a concept, it’s not even close.

      There are some shortcomings, even I will admit (charging times is the main one), but generally speaking, they’re way better (faster, smoother, lower maintenance, etc). And the shortcomings will be worked out in the coming years (remember range anxiety? Not so big of a deal when the standard is 300 these days)

      People will jump through the craziest hoops to argue against EVs and wind up with bizarre extreme what-if scenarios like “what if there’s an apocalypse?” You know what, if the world ends, you got me!

      Reply
      1. EVs suck, hybrids make more sense. You want some more shortcomings, I’ve got some more shortcomings for ‘ya:

        1. China monopolizes the battery industry
        2. Child and slave labor used in China
        3. Pollution from lithium mining
        4. 10 year battery life
        5. Horrible resale value
        6. More wear and tear on the road due to weight
        7. Not enough infrastructure to support even the current paltry market share
        8. Clean energy fallacy

        Reply
        1. I hope you’re not typing that from a battery powered electronic device then.

          Reply
          1. Hey NewQ,

            Do you actually think your response is sensible? At some time in your life did you have an imaginary ICE powered computer? I sure hope you don’t have kids or plan on them some day because there are already too many left-wing knuckleheads like you out there who feel instead of think.

            Reply
            1. Oh, I didn’t think you were going to be that rude and insulting. That’s surprising and disappointing. If I had known you were that kind of person I would have ignored you, my mistake.

              Reply
              1. Typical left-wing response. You start the personal attack and when the subject of your pathetic attack shames you with logic, you claim victimhood. Why don’t you cut to the chase and do what your low-IQ colleagues usually do when they lose the argument……call me a racist!!!!

                Reply
  2. Fix that rear bumper….

    Reply
  3. Once again. When GM tries, they can make amazing vehicles. Here is a Cadillac that can truly be the standard of the world and rival Rolls-Royce. That rear looks nicer on a convertible. The problem is getting them to think beyond the stakeholders.

    Reply
    1. This is the benefit of an EV platform. They can put just about any top they want on it but keep the whole EV platform the same. Since the Celestiq is hand-built, building the Sollei could be little more than a variation.

      Reply
      1. I’m not sure that’s actually true. As Alex addressed in his extensive video above, this is not as simple as “putting a different top” on it. To make SOLLEI a reality, they will probably need to reinforce the structure caused by the removal of the roof, an integral part of the body structure of modern vehicles. This is nothing new, and is usually done for convertibles.

        Reply
  4. Overall it looks much better than the Celestiq.
    But that Celestiq front must be changed. This car needs smth unique.

    Reply
  5. Well done Cadillac! And kudos for digging through your archives for the flowing scarf photo. In 1994, I believe, Cadillac introduced the new Eldorado and had car show freebies that featured the new coup. On the reverse it featured a 1959 Eldorado convertible in profile with a woman driving and her yellow scarf flowing behind. This freebie is so nice we finally had it matted and framed and it has been on display for the last 15 years. Please do the same with this beauty.

    Reply
  6. I just realized that no pics show top up and no, I’m not wasting 37 minutes on that video.

    Reply
    1. What else ya got to do, bum? Sit on the beach and wonder why you don’t see 4x4s covered in mud?

      Reply
    2. Beachy: You can start the video and then fast forward to around 9:28 minutes to see the top up pics.

      Reply
  7. Lets Goooooooooo
    That is simply stunning and MUST be built. Bentley who?
    American Luxury is back and thanks to BEV’s Cadillac can now compete if they have the you now what to do so.

    Reply
  8. They should have done this first. They could even do a 4 door convertible with as stiff as this platform is.

    Reply
  9. Really!!!!!! good looking????? you gotta be kidding.

    Reply
  10. YUCK! Take a 58 Eldorado and bring it to today.. That’s more like a bad nightmare base on a Buick Reatta. 🤢…… 🤮

    Reply
    1. Yeah !!!

      They can profitably make a rather low volume Cadillac 65-71 years ago on a production line, but today, cannot seem to make more than one type of over-hyped vehicle.

      I would buy one if I could eliminate all the silly (and probably obtuse like my Lyriq) ‘Alleged’ touch screens. Or Screams, what with the arbitrary near impossibility of using them.

      2wd only
      One 200-300 HP drive train more than adequate. Keep 111 kwh battery for 310 mile range.

      Caddy could accommodate changing tastes 70 years ago but now it’s one size fits all.

      So the Artsy farts guys did good here, now let’s get some flexibility into the, dare I say, ‘Engineering’ dept.

      Reply
      1. You want a gasser so bad go buy a chevy express. Geez you never ev people are so tiring.

        Reply
        1. I drive a Bolt EV, a Bolt EUV, and a LYRIQ, with my next purchase I am planning another All Electric, and suddenly I want a Gasser?

          That is Funny, haha !!!!!

          Reply
  11. Cool looking vehicle. I wouldn’t mind an ICE version

    Reply
  12. Not too shabby. Can do away with the seat back tri-tones. It makes it look like a George Barris creation! Now build this!! But also make it an option for an 8.1 Big block. Then, it would be a screamer! And, how ’bout a Triple Black version? They would sell like hot cakes.

    Reply
  13. I hope it comes with a lifetime supply of red pasta sauce, so you can use the pieces of dried mushroom that the sun will peel from the seats. Pure virtue signaling to the tree huggers, vegans and other extremist nuts, of which, sadly, GM is premier. There is almost nothing manufactured on this planet that is more environmentally friendly than leather (y’know, the stuff made from dead steers, the animals that supply us with beef!).

    Reply
    1. You’re thinking of tesla. From the article, “Fine Nappa leather …” gm still has leather. The slade and Lyriq can be had with semi-aniline leather, probably other models too, dunno.

      Reply
      1. Yes, thank you, you are correct about the seats, but other parts that will be exposed to the sun are based on the Mycelium. It’s still virtue signaling to use this stuff when leather (a recycled material) is readily available.

        Reply
  14. Build it now … the sooner the better

    Reply
  15. No diesel option?

    Reply
  16. It’s gorgeous. Build it on the Lyriq platform and regular Cadillac buyers will flock to it.

    Reply
    1. I think given the size, probably closer to the slade ev (130+) than the Lyriq(60-85). I’d expect pricing to follow size so 130 if they built it in volume. Still cheaper than the celestiq. And even then, it becomes a game. More volume spreads NRE, hence lower price, lower volumes increase NRE per unit cost, and this would have lower volumes than the slade will, so maybe 150, but then even lower volumes, so before you know it, you are right back at celestiq at 300.

      Reply
  17. When the model shows up on the video you can pretty much forget about looking at the car.

    Reply
  18. Absolutely stunning! Way to go Cadillac!!!!

    Reply
  19. How many customers in the target market?

    Reply
    1. Enough for Bentley, Rolls Royce… and maybe Maserati to field offerings.

      Reply
  20. Yes, yes and yes. Please bring this to market. Evl-dorado?

    Reply
    1. or maybe vel-dorado, rolls off the tongue nicely.

      Reply
      1. Haha. Mine can’t be pronounced and yours doesn’t make sense when you invert the EV and VE. Maybe they could just use the “E” in larger and blue with the “ldorado” smaller and not blue.

        There. We fixed it. Now where can GM send us our pay checks? lol

        Reply
        1. Since when do names make sense. Often just a city back in the old days of naming. I still like mine as the “vel” brings to mind velvet which has a nice connotation to the car and of course eldorado is iconic caddy. And yes, gm can send us both a check from marketing.

          Reply
          1. “Velveeta”.
            As in processed Cheese.
            Which is what this thing looks like a slab of…

            Reply
  21. The car for when your box wine aunt wins the lotto.

    Reply
  22. It is not a car for my pocketbook. Therefore, it’s a no from me. LOL

    Reply
  23. Back in the day my dad bought a 1977 Coupe DeVille in this exact color combination. I really love this.

    Reply
  24. Ahhhhh another Concept to museum…

    1 Unfortunate is without roof
    2. Unfortunate has wood inside
    3. Unfortunate is EV.

    It is time GM rethink all cars and also all Cadillac. Please kill them all like Jaguar did and do new.
    Of course Rolls Royce also is getting worse, each model they launch, each year. Bentley too…

    Have we all to continue trusting more AI generation than what real Industries Produce ? Think so.

    Reply
    1. YOU DO NOT NEED THIS!

      Others will Gladly buy it for their Fleet of expensive vehicles.
      This is for the Ultra Lux market who are seeking vehicles that are 1 of 1 unique.
      GM will sell plenty if this goes to market.

      Reply
  25. Maybe they can divert some of the Mycelium and grow some Morels in the boot…!

    Reply
  26. Has a Corvair vibe.

    Reply
    1. Even the later style Corvair convertibles were sexy and desirable. And u didn’t need a king’s ransom to buy one.

      95, 110, 140 four barrel carb, or 180 HP turbo.

      3 speed, 4 speed, power glide 2 speed plus torque converter slushomatic. So like 12 power train combos on a reasonably priced car.

      What do we get today? Either no choice or 2wd or 4wd and that is it.

      Reply
  27. Let me guess, made in China.

    Reply
  28. What a classy ride… bring it to production, GM.

    Reply
  29. Absolutely stunningly beautiful, but will never happen, most Americans love shoe box styled , non aerodynamic , slow , bad handling, SUVs, Sports utility vans.

    Reply
  30. Cadillac kann wenn GM es erlaubt!!! Frau Barra starten sie das Projekt – bitte nun!!!
    Hier hat Cadillac endlich wieder ein schönes Cabrio gebaut. Man kann sagen es ist wohl extrem Luxus wie bei BMW-Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Maybach und VW-Bentley.

    Nun wann wird Cadillac die Erlaubnis von Big GM erhalten und endlich mit der Produktion beginnen. Wie wir wissen kann Cadillac Luxus auch heute entwickeln und bauen.

    Und wir müssen geduldig sein, denn es wird ein BEV sein mit sicherlich über 6600 Pfund Gewicht da 200kWh Batterie.
    Oder aber es erwacht der Instinkt und es wird doch einen ICE geben – mit Blackwing 4,2L Twinturbo & AWD – der dann passen würde da weltweiter MARKT für LUXUS die BEV nicht mag da keine WERTSTEIGERUNG möglich!

    Schönen Tag noch in der Sonne – i like my OPEL Tigra TT – ever!!!! Now after 20 Years …

    Reply
  31. GM- don’t think anymore, build it! It’s so beautiful because the Sollei (indirectly) resurrects the Ciel concept, one of the most beautiful Caddy concepts. GM: Cadillac needs a HALO vehicle in dealership showrooms. The Sollei IS YOUR ANSWER!! You want buzz? You want free publicity? Sollei is IT!!

    Reply
  32. Build it and I’ll believe again.

    Reply
  33. The reception given to the Sollei is impressive, considering the shade tossed at the Celestiq, especially since the Sollei is the convertible version of the Celestiq. Tastes are subjective, and in my opinion, they are alluring designs.

    Reply
  34. The C-Pillar is a critical part of a vehicle’s style / design….emotion. Much like “dash-to-axle” proportions.

    Making it a convertible removes 75% of that…

    The attractive part of this car is the soft-top removes the mess after the C-Pillar on the Sedan.

    Reply
  35. I like the color palette and the overall design. IMHO, they went a little overboard with the wood in the interior, particularly the seat backs. Hopefully that would be show car stuff only. I would prefer the front end/grill to be more elegant and less busy. Other than that, I think they did a very nice job. If I was shopping in that market, this vehicle would be on my radar.

    Reply

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