The two-door Cadillac effectively died when the last ATS Coupe rolled off the line at the GM Lansing Grand River plant in metro Detroit. But how dead is “dead”? If recent movies have taught us anything, death is rarely permanent. And when asked if there would never be another two-door coupe from the brand, then Cadillac President Steve Carlisle told GM Authority, “Never is a long time.”
Indeed, Cadillac has recently released not one, but two concept vehicles that seem to indicate that “never” might soon come to an end for Cadillac two-doors.
First came the Sollei Concept, a sexy two-door convertible based on the Celestiq flagship sedan. With its full-size proportions, the Sollei strikes a stunning balance in apportioning its length among the front end, cabin, and rear. These dimensions, combined with its low stance, contribute to an elegant yet sporty look.
Cadillac Sollei concept
The Sollei was followed by the Opulent Velocity concept and its debut in August, which features all of the luxury and technology offered in other Cadillac models and then some, but with half the doors. Of course, the dramatic butterfly doors aren’t even the most impressive part about the Opulent Velocity. That’s because it pushes both design and function to their limits by incorporating features like advanced aero Level 4 autonomous driving. In “Opulent Mode”, this car allows for fully hands-free operation, even stowing away the steering wheel and pedals.
Cadillac Opulent Velocity Concept
Interestingly, these concepts are both fully electric, which is something else alluded to in Carlisle’s comments we cited above. He hinted that electric vehicle design would open up a number of possibilities, including hypothetically bringing back the two-door Cadillac. But these concept models aren’t the only indications of Cadillac’s possible intentions to bring back two-door models. Our own Alex Luft spoke in detail on a recent Cadillac Society podcast (embedded just below) about the Cadillac Expressive Coupe design study.
This design, which (rather unfortunately) never made it to the concept stage, appears to be a lightly-veiled CT5 Coupe, even improving upon the aesthetics of the Cadillac CT5 Sedan. This design study incorporates a long front end that delivers cab rearward proportions and an intricately-designed rear end.
Isn’t it interesting that an automotive brand that currently doesn’t produce a single coupe has introduced not one, but two concepts with two doors? We’d say so.
Comments
Fat chance. They’d become 4-doors before production.
The Celestiq, although not very attractive in my eyes, is a really important car for Cadillac. It will either solidly position Cadillac back in the place of greatness where people will once again say “It’s the Cadillac of………” or it will break Cadillac once and for all.
The Sollei? Oh, yes please! I beg Cadillac to build it.
Opulent Velocity? Doesn’t do much for me, but I still hope they tweak it and bring it out giving Cadillac another car.