and , both under the General Motors banner, have been sharing parts and technology for decades. The Cadillac XLR was a badge-engineered sixth-generation Chevy Corvette and the Cadillac CTS, and others have also borrowed engines from America's sports car. The pattern continues in the latest concept design presented by a General Motors brand.
It features technology that would be just as "at home" in a Corvette as the concept car. Cadillac debuted its new design concept study during in California. The Opulent Velocity, a wedge of an electric grand touring car features two doors that open butterfly-style and a length that evokes the longest Cadillacs of the past and Corvettes of today.
"What we're really looking to do is achieve the best of both worlds with the ultimate hyper performance machine in the future, coupled with ultimate luxury. So it's really this balance between this opulent side and this velocity side, the team came up with this name, and it really helps articulate those particular modes," Brian Nesbitt, Cadillac executive director of global Cadillac design told journalists at an event near Detroit ahead of the debut. The all-electric Opulent Velocity would benefit from GM's hands-free driving software but updated to an advanced Level 4 system for one of its two multisensory modes, each created for different driving (or riding along) situations.
"So if we think about Opulent as a mode, this is where you can use your time in different ways. If you're stuck in traffic on your way to maybe the track or on your way to a destination or even to work. You can of course occupy your time in a certain way.
Maybe you can relax, maybe you can get some other things done," said Nesbitt. Cadillac wanted to maintain its V (velocity) mode but wanted to take it further with the concept, which still has a physical activation on the console. Drivers rotate the dial from Opulent mode to Velocity.
"This is very intentional as we're unlocking the potential of that power. And with the full windscreen projection, we can really bring that data in real time on demand at speed to the driver. So they can maintain focus and we can deliver the best experience in the safest way possible," he said.
General Motors luxury brand Cadillac has recently been showing and telling the story of its future ambitions via several concept car debuts. While it’s important to dream and show the public, especially investors, what you’re working on, General Motors has struggled to carry momentum from these types of presentations into real product. The Buick Wildcat EV Concept was widely lauded, but only small parts of its design ever made it to production.
Cadillac brand watchers have every reason to be excited and cautionary at the same time. When Velocity mode is activated, the steering wheel and pedals present themselves and the user is prompted to take hold of the wheel. The Opulent Velocity's seats are cantilevered and are connected directly to the door, which helps secure the driver for high-speed maneuvers.
Like a video game, the vehicle conceptualizes a "Ghost Car" function that projects on the head-up display serving as the vehicle user guide for fast lap times. Cadillac says it also has the capability to dictate driving enhancements, information about the road and active aero and suspension dampening settings, something that could benefit a race car or a Corvettte in the future. Elsewhere in the cabin, the Opulent Velocity concept features wraparound draped surfaces, a y-shaped steering wheel and the interior color, "Selene" complements the vehicle's metallic dark blue.
It also uses 3D printing technology, on the motif across the interior and on the two-toned embroidery with prismatic embellishments. "We are we are really bridging a number of things here which are high performance, high technology, autonomous technology and the way we're thinking about style, integrating really artful technology. What is great about the Opulent Velocity is that we're going a big step above with the graphic and body-color shield surrounded with a beautiful grille, which is also packaging your future AV technology," said Nesbitt.
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