The most unique and exclusive vehicle that GM markets in North America may get a new direct rival. A New York-based startup called Dacora has unveiled an electric ultra-luxury sedan priced from $500,000, rivaling the Cadillac Celestiq. It’s unclear whether “Dacora” is the name of the car or if a different model name is forthcoming. It will be built in the U.S. with American-sourced parts and materials.
Dacora was founded by MIT-educated engineers Kristie and Eric D’Ambrosio-Correll. Their ambition is to “transform the way we move through the world,” although the “we” they refer to is a small and exclusive group that can afford a half-million-dollar EV.
The car is a four-door sedan with a striking Art Deco design. Inspired by roadsters of the 1930s, its coach-built Pininfarina body has bold lines, pronounced wheel arches, and a long hood crafted from walnut or a different wood of your choice. It opens into a large frunk capable of holding a set of skis; a distinct advantage over the Celestiq’s tiny frunk.
The Dacora’s luxurious interior is highly customizable; owners can even get the upholstery changed twice a year. For example, you can choose linen for summer and wool for winter. There’s no plastic in the cabin and no touchscreen, but there’s an infotainment display behind a panel in the dash. Physical controls and high-end materials are prioritized over screen real estate.
Specifics are light on the powertrain, but Dacora is aiming for 800 horsepower and 400 miles of range, presumably from a dual-motor setup. For reference, the Cadillac Celestiq makes 655 horsepower and gets a 303-mile range, slightly beating the electric Rolls-Royce Spectre in both power and range.
We also don’t know when production or deliveries will begin for this luxury EV, but those interested can put down a refundable $50,000 deposit to get in line. Similar to the Celestiq, every Dacora will be made to order. Buyers will be assigned a personal concierge to walk them through the process of customizing their electric luxury car.
Comments
Certainly not a Cadillac
More like a 1930’s Alfa…
I wouldn’t even compare it. The Celestiq is pure modern design. This car looks to be more old school take like a Rolls Royce Phantom. Actually, the car kinda reminds me of the Bugatti concepts VW was introducing when they first bought the brand. Cars like the EB218.
hope no one buy this, and not really concurrent for those iqs GMs, think the industry have to rethink all they are doing, more and more seeing GMs sedans of the 1960ies and 1970ies, Chryslers of 50 years old as well… and many well done AIs according, indeed what industry is doing makes me no pleasure in seeing
It’s ugly and a fantasy that will never happen. The time for EV startups has passed.
They want your $50K gullible you..
It looks cramped too. The interior doesn’t look very comfortable either. What’s with those office chair head rests?
Needs a V16
Well, I didn’t think anything could get uglier than the Celestiq and Escalade IQ… clearly I was wrong.
IDK, I like Escalade IQ and don’t mind Celestiq.
Truly beaty is in the eyes of the beholder. The Escalade IQ is impressive in person. I have not seen the Celestiq
I actually like the styling- ‘Kinda 1930’s / art deco-ish. But I agree with Steve29, it needs a big ICE…
Prop car from “Who Killed Roger Rabbit”.
Roger did looking at this abomination
Zzzzzzzzzz
Why not call it what it is? A dorkmobile! $500,000 for that turd. Note to self never ever fly in an aircraft designed at MIT.
I can certainly appreciate the art deco vibes, 1930’s lines, and crafted look. It’s not going to be a mass seller, but it is not intended to be one either. Modern EV tech without being sunken into a glass cockpit has a certain appeal to it. Good luck to them.
Would be cool to see a modern day Duesenberg.
I don’t have an opinion of this car but there is a market for it, albeit very small for as rarified air is concerned.
please leave dusenberg and packard and talbot dead companies, their times were the 1930ies and if it would reappear today, it would be a disaster in taste design
You don’t know that because it is a matter of “your” opinion not shared with anyone else’s.
Also, please learn how to proofread and use proper grammar with punctuations and capital letters of nouns for names. Someone who write the way you do with horrible grammar is downright embarrassing.
Very Very ugly, would not want it period, UNLESS they put something besides the electric power plant under the hood.
Looks like something Puffy would have.
IF it gets built, they’ll sell some because there are people with too much money and too little taste. But, damn, that is ugly. Trying way to hard.
I like it. I’m an old school luxury guy and always had more appreciation for luxury materials like wood, leather, and brushed metals over techy gimmicks like Teslas have. You’re talking to a guy whose one of his all time favorite American cars is a 1991 Brougham D’Elegance.
Would I take it over a Celestiq or a Solei? Probably not. The Caddy would be a more familiar car for me.
The problem for me, is each time I hear about these EV startups, I just don’t hold my breath with them. Unless it a company backed by a heavyweight investor like Scout (backed by VW), I don’t hold much hope for these startups. I mean look at Lucid at this point. I doubt they will be around much longer. The same can be said for Rivian though they put on a bigger more valiant fight.
Also. Are people buying in the $300K-400k even looking at electric options? The people I see in my area with exotics or ultra luxury vehicles buy Teslas as electric cars to have as their beater vehicles while they own a Bentley Bentayga Speed or Cullinan. At best they’ll have a Taycan or another Euro EV at $120k. But I have yet to see a Spectre out in the wild.
Lucid is backed by MBS and the Saudi Sovereign fund. Its going nowhere. They also have serious tech when it comes to electric motors. They are easily the best in the Business. GM should buy them
I would love for Lucid to survive. They have some really nice designs and their cars have a real quality feel to them. But if they aren’t doing so great at some point the cash flow from the Saudis will stop if they see no returns. They aren’t invincible and the moment the Saudis get to that point and stop sending them cash, Lucid will need a miracle.
$500k???? I wouldn’t pay $50k for that ugly thing!!! Even if they offer to come to my house daily to wash it and drop off dinner.
50k? For this 101 Dalmatians Car? I’ll keep our ‘09 Rondo LX with deluxe wheel covers and reclining bucket seats.
this had a retro potential but the spread use of wood made me sad
…like an antique yacht.
A trade-in from the Penguin. The design is too cartoonish.
I want to like it but I just can’t. first, I need a proper side and rear view. Is this a real picture or AI/rendering? It looks like a student project and not complete. The center dash controls look like a concept that doesn’t (and won’t) exist. Overall it doesn’t look functional, comfortable or complete in any way. And who would the target audience be? Chauffeured dignitaries? It’s certainly not poised to be a driver’s car, yet looks too utilitarian to be useful. I’ll bet some iPhone using newbies designed it thinking it would be the “new thing.” Sorry…maybe get this half-baked thing back on your computer screen and start improving it.