2024 Cadillac Celestiq spotted testing - sticks close to the prototype

26 August 2022

It seems like the progress is happening much faster these days. We only just heard about the Celstiq and we are still digesting its jaw-dropping sticker price with an equally long list of options and equipment - and it is already out on the road and preparing for official launch.

Most automakers these days, when they want to launch a new super luxurious model play safe and go for a mega SUV. Cadillac was perfectly positioned for that approach and could have gone straight for an electric Escalade. Yet Cadillac chose a different path and we now have the Celestiq to look forward to.

Now we have the first spy shots of the actual car testing in the wild and boy, is it big. Seeing it against the environment makes you realize how long this electric fastback is - it’s humongous. In the best American tradition this thing owns the road.

First and immediate realization is that it’s not different from the Concept we were shown, in fact the only change we can spot are the side mirrors. That’s all. Of course those need to comply with current regulations and some states are still considering the legality of cameras instead of mirrors. The production model will have the option to ditch the classic items in favor of the minimalistic cameras.

Cadillac itself released a set of photos from the road testing as well, showing the boat-sized liftback camouflaged in a way that hides absolutely nothing. All these photos show what looks to be production-ready vehicle that is true to its concept - for those of you who worried the design will be watered down by the time Celestiq hits the road - worry no more. You can get your checkbook out, the $300,000 asking price seems like a safe investment.

It won’t be long before we get some performance numbers as well, for now we can only speculate that for Celestiq to justify its asking price, the personalization and equipment options are not enough. The performance will have to be from the highest shelf as well.

Since the car sits on the Ultium platform we will see the best of what this architecture can offer. In the GMC Hummer EV it offers 1,000 hp and 1,200 Nm of torque making it the most ridiculous SUV to drive. Can we see those numbers in the Celestiq? There is enough room for a large battery pack, but using all of the 246kWh from the Hummer would make the car incredibly heavy.

We will see at least 100 kWh, most likely closer to 150 kWh to ensure range and power delivery. In the performance department it would be amazing to see the 1,000 hp all-wheel-drive setup. It would catapult the Cadillac to the very front of a very short and exclusive list of the most powerful electric cars on the market. Isn’t that what Cadillac wants? You bet.

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