Cadillac Elevated Velocity SUV concept previews the future of the brand's performance EVs
Boasting a lifted ride, 24-inch wheels and both autonomous and performance-driving modes, the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept car reveals designs and features that will carry the brand’s V-series vehicles into the future.
With electric all-wheel drive and an adjustable air suspension, the sleek SUV has gull-wing doors, a modern, roomy interior, 2+2 seating and an augmented-reality head-up display ― combining features Cadillac offers now and is evaluating for tomorrow.
The concept also previews innovative ideas for desert racing, including repelling sand from its sleek four-door body and peering through dust storms.
The Elevated Velocity debuts at the Quail, a luxury vehicle event in Carmel, California, on Aug. 15. The Quail is part of a weekend of events for luxury, racing and classic vehicles on and near the Monterey Peninsula.
An earlier Cadillac concept called Opulent Velocity debuted at the Quail last year.
What’s cool about the Cadillac Elevated Velocity?
- Elements defy mode that vibrates the car to shed dust and dirt.
- That enhanced vision to peer through sandstorms.
- 24-inch wheels
- Electric all-wheel drive
- Air suspension
- Gull-wing doors
- 2+2 seating
The look of tomorrow's Cadillacs
The Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept vehicle foreshadows the look and technology of upcoming performance SUVs.
Cadillac expects the market for high-performance electric luxury SUVs to grow.
The Elevated Velocity’s profile ― long hood, spacious interior, short rear overhang, fastback rear end ― is consistent with the current Cadillac Lyriq and Celestiq.
“Concepts are the compass for us,” GM design chief Brian Nesbitt said during a briefing on the Elevated Velocity.
Other exterior touches include Cadillac’s signature vertical lighting, illuminated front and rear badges, Vapor Blue exterior paint and blue-tinted windows. Full-width rear lights create a three-dimensional effect Cadillac calls a “light tunnel.”
The Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept vehicle's rear end features a 3D 'light tunnel.'
Infrared light and ‘dust-phobic vibration’
The Elevated Velocity has modes for interior comfort and different kinds of travel, from hands-free relaxation to desert racing.
- Welcome: On approach, the gull-wing doors open, soft white light bathes the interior, an animation on the steering wheel mimics shifting desert sand, V-series logos light up on interior door caps.
- Elevate: Autonomous driving to recover from strenuous activity. The steering wheel and pedals retract, ambient light shifts to red and the seat backs emit infrared light. The climate control system filters and perfumes cabin air; and adjusts for changes in temperature, humidity and elevation. The IR light is part of red light therapy, an experimental treatment to help “occupants recover from vigorous pursuits.”
- Velocity: The driver is in charge and has access to the car’s full performance. Cool white interior lighting. The steering wheel displays speed, time, battery health and temperature. Augmented reality display and navigation on the HUD.
The Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept vehicle has interior comfort modes: Welcome, Elevate and Velocity.
A separate set of driving modes — in addition to that enhanced vision for sandstorms and that "elements defy" mode that generates a “dust-phobic” vibration, like a horse shaking itself clean — include:
- E-Velocity mode for intense on-road driving.
- Terra mode for peak off-road performance.
The Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept vehicle foreshadows the look and features of future Cadillac performance SUVs.
Interior luxury
The interior has four pedestal bucket seats. A floating center console extends from the dash to rear seats.
The yoke-style steering wheel incorporates a hub-mounted display screen that’s intended to be most useful when the driver seat reclines and the steering wheel retracts.
Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept vehicle interior.
The HUD delivers information to the driver when the car is in hands-on mode.
Interior colors and materials include:
- Morello red leather for the door uppers seat cushions, cabin and floor.
- Cerise red fabric on the doors, dash and seat backs.
- Garnet: A red boucle fabric for arm rests, center console and instrument panel.
- 3D black crystal on the doors in a pattern of “the dynamic action of desert polo ― the clashing of mallets or motion of the horses' hooves as they sprint across a field of shifting sand.”
Cadillac doesn’t plan to build the Elevated Velocity, but its appearance and features will influence the brand’s upcoming performance models.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cadillac Elevated Velocity SUV concept previews the future of the brand's performance EVs
