Cadillac Sollei Concept: What Does The Name Mean?

The Cadillac Sollei is the latest in a long line of iconic concept cars to come from GM’s luxury brand. Although little more than a two-door, convertible version of the Cadillac Celestiq, the Sollei made waves for its stunning design inside and out and its retro-inspired Manila Cream paint (although we think it looks pretty good in other colors, too).

But one other detail that got our attention when the Sollei was unveiled in July was its name. Cadillac is going strong with its EV naming convention with names that end in “IQ,” and the Sollei deviates from this trend. So, what does the “Sollei” name mean?

The first half of the name doesn’t need much explanation. “Sol” is the Latin word for “sun.” This isn’t the first convertible to use sun-related wordplay in its name (Rolls Royce Dawn, Volkswagen Eos, multiple drop-top Pontiac models with “Sun” names). Putting the top down on a sunny day creates a different driving experience than driving with a boring old roof over your head. Invoking the sun is a good way to make driving a convertible sound like the special experience that it is.

But what about the second half of the name? The “lei” in “Sollei” stands for “leisure.” Therefore, the Cadillac Sollei concept is meant to combine the sun and leisure. We think that makes it a good name for an ultra-luxury convertible meant for a leisurely lifestyle. Although nobody’s driven the Cadillac Sollei since it’s still just a concept, it’s not hard to imagine driving with a quiet yet powerful electric powertrain, luxurious leather seating, and no roof as a leisurely experience.

What’s more, we can’t help but be reminded of the word “soleil,” which is the French word for “sun,” using the Latin “sol” as its root. Many English-speaking people are aware of this French word thanks to Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun), the Canadian contemporary circus producer. We think the kind of clientele who would be in the market for a bespoke Cadillac Sollei has likely been to one or two Cirque du Soleil productions at some point, and they can probably afford really good seats.

So, there you have it. The Cadillac Sollei represents Cadillac’s optimistic inspiration for an open-air, leisurely lifestyle. Now, here’s hoping we can one day leisurely enjoy the sun in this gorgeous machine in the form of a production model.