Cadillac’s latest concept car, the Elevated Velocity, serves as a rolling testbed of possibilities for the automaker’s future. And even more so than last year’s Opulent Velocity, it’s one of the wildest vehicles we’ve ever seen from the American luxury brand.
The sleek, high-riding electric SUV is a sequel to the Opulent Velocity concept, which debuted last August, building on the ideas introduced in that vehicle. Cadillac believes there might be a future where autonomy and hands-on high-performance driving can coexist in a single vehicle, and the Elevated Velocity images those possibilities wrapped in a V-Series off-road aesthetic.
The automaker made no mention of the powertrain, except that it’s electric. Cadillac wouldn’t even provide the approach, departure, and breakover angles because it’s not the type of concept, but it does have an active air suspension.
Cadillac is exploring what luxury could look like for the brand as emerging technologies create new opportunities for cutting-edge features and amenities, which means you will find a lot of the car’s innovations in the cabin.
Photo by: Cadillac
Cadillac adorned the interior with various shades of red, including leather and boucle fabric. It lacks traditional screens as the automaker explores new ways to display information, like the screen in the steering wheel. It’s an evolution of the wheel from the Opulent Velocity, and something the luxury brand is actively working on with its engineering partners to develop for future models, such as incorporating the airbags.
Other technologies featured in the concept are a bit more far-fetched and fanciful, like the use of infrared light to promote rejuvenation or the ability for the SUV to keep itself clean through a dust-phobic vibration. The car also has a cabin filtration system, air purification, and the ability to compensate for dry air, extreme temperature shifts, and altitude changes. There’s even a locked compartment and a hand-crafted polo set.
The outside might be too extreme for a real production vehicle, but Cadillac is exploring new styling possibilities with the design, and we could see some elements on future models, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. The Elevated Velocity has the same infinity taillight accent as the Opulent Velocity, and the taillight strikes that poke out from the back look like inverted fins, which is a nice touch.
Photo by: Cadillac
Photo by: Cadillac
Photo by: Cadillac
It has gullwing doors for optimal ingress and egress. The illuminated wheels, 24 inches in diameter on this concept, are close to becoming a reality, according to Cadillac. “It’s a question of probably when, not if,” said GM Executive Chief Engineer Brandon Vivian. “The technology exists today. It’s about durability in use case, and that’s what we’re exploring with this concept.”
Much of the new technology and design revolves around autonomous driving, what passengers experience during that time, and high-performance enjoyment. Elevate mode puts the computer in charge of driving, with the pedals and steering wheel retracting. Velocity mode is the opposite, giving the driver complete control. E-Velocity mode, designed for intense on-road driving, is an evolution of Cadillac’s V-Mode from its V-Series vehicles. Terra mode configures the SUV for high-performance off-road driving.
While Cadillac does have a fully running concept, it’s still just a testbed for the automaker. It’s something the brand is interested in exploring if buyers believe that’s the direction it should take. It still believes the future is electric, and this is what it could look like for the company.
Cadillac will display the Elevated Velocity concept on August 15 at The Quail, during Monterey Car Week.
15
Source: Cadillac
Read the full article here