Cadillac Unveils Sollei Concept: A Vision of Bespoke Luxury

The Cadillac Celestiq marked a transformative shift for the brand when it was introduced nearly two years ago, offering customers extensive customization options in a limited-production, bespoke electric vehicle. Now, Cadillac hints at its future direction with the new Sollei convertible concept, signaling that the Celestiq will not be a standalone effort.

The Sollei concept, inspired by the sleek 2011 Ciel that never saw production, shares design elements with the Celestiq but introduces a fresh, unique aesthetic. The name "Sollei" combines "SOL" for the sun and "LEIsure," reflecting its leisurely, open-top nature. It utilizes the same Ultium platform as the Celestiq and shares its front-end design and cabin but diverges significantly from the A-pillar back, featuring 5.68-foot-long doors and a streamlined body line connecting the familiar headlights with new taillights that form a single rear element.

Designed with minimalism in mind, the Sollei eschews conventional door handles for discreet buttons embedded in the aluminum halo surrounding the cabin. The exterior and interior metal components are finished in "Aurora," inspired by the Northern and Southern Lights, using genuine materials to avoid plastic, as emphasized by Erin Crossly, Cadillac Celestiq's design director.

Inside, the Sollei boasts hand-cut and hand-laid wood veneers, open-pore finishes, and seats with a sunburst motif, enhanced with a pink iridescent pigment in the Nappa leather for a color-changing effect. It also introduces Fine Mycelium, a renewable bio-based material used for the charging mats and door pockets.

Additional bespoke features include a custom metal and leather-wrapped case for 3D-printed bird calls, an integrated beverage chiller, and a leather-bound journal with hand-painted bird illustrations and a leather tool roll for pens and pencils. The concept is painted in Cadillac's historic Manila Cream color and rides on 23-inch aluminum wheels. Although the convertible top wasn't shown in the up position, sketches suggest it will feature a fabric roof.

While Cadillac stresses that the Sollei is a concept, it shares many components with the production Celestiq, including the 55-inch dash-spanning display. John Roth, Cadillac's global vice president, highlighted that the Sollei concept allows Cadillac's creative team to express their vision for a 2+2 convertible, hinting at future bespoke offerings from the brand.

Source: Cadillac