Cadillac Unveils New High-Performance EV Concept ‘Opulent Velocity’

DETROIT— General Motors Cadillac unveiled a new all-electric concept car on Friday, designed to preview how the automaker plans to keep its V-Series performance vehicles electric-friendly.

The vehicle is called “Opulent Velocity.” True to its name, Cadillac says it’s a balance of ultra-luxury and performance for the V-Series, which is best known for cars with high-performance engines like the 6.2-liter Blackwing V8, rated at more than 600 horsepower and pound-feet of torque.

“What we’re trying to do is get the best of both worlds. The ultimate hyper-performance machine for the future, coupled with the ultimate luxury,” Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac’s executive director of global design, said at a press conference.

Electric vehicles can deliver great acceleration performance, such as accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds or less, but automakers still struggle to differentiate the vehicles and create the same thrill that the sound, or “roar,” of a traditional high-performance vehicle provides.

Nesbitt and other Cadillac executives stressed that EV performance is not just about 0-60 mph times. They said it’s about handling, as well as vehicle technologies, including interior features like biometrics and driver-assistance technologies like GM’s Super Cruise.

“The intent of all of this is to continue to grow the brand,” Nesbitt said.

Cadillac has released few details about the concept vehicle, which automakers routinely use to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of a vehicle or brand. The vehicles are not intended to be sold to consumers.

The concept car is a sleek, futuristic sports car. It features “scissor” doors that rotate vertically on a fixed hinge at the front of the door. It was unveiled at the Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance car show in California.

Much like Cadillac’s $300,000 customized Celestiq car, the concept is meant to position Cadillac in a higher market segment, to compete with brands like Lamborghini and electric vehicle startup Rimac, rather than traditional rivals like Ford’s Lincoln brand.

Cadillac sales fell 1.7% in the first half of the year compared to the first six months of 2023. All of its vehicles saw sales declines except the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq crossover.