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5 Best Cadillac Concept Cars of the Past 20 Years

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The Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors was founded all the way back in 1902 and over the years the luxury automaker has introduced a number of exciting concept vehicles. In the 1950s, the company introduced the Cadillac Le Mans and the Cadillac Cyclone. Both of these concept cars were designed by the legendary Harley Earl and both became famous for their attention-grabbing good looks. However, in the last 20 years, Cadillac has adopted a new Art & Science design language that places a greater emphasis on sportier designs and tech-savvy cabins. Below are the five greatest concept cars introduced by Cadillac since it adopted the Art & Science design language…


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Cadillac has a long history of producing breathtaking concept cars, especially over the last 20 years

Cadillac Cien Concept
Photo: © bluto2000

Cadillac Cien Concept (2002)

There’s so much that can be said about the Cadillac Cien Concept, but to keep it brief this one-off supercar was created for Cadillac’s 100th anniversary and was introduced at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show. Underneath the hood was a 7.5-liter V12 engine that produced 750 horsepower. That motor worked with a six-speed manual transmission that sent power to the rear wheels. In addition, this concept car featured scissor-style doors, a removable targa roof, and its body was made out of aerogel composite. While this car never came close to making it to production, it did eventually find its way into the movie Transformers: Age Of Extinction that came out in 2014. In retrospect, the Cadillac Cien Concept was a significant statement that Cadillac was moving away from big bulky sedans and towards sportier vehicles features like the Cadillac CTS-V super sedan.

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[wptab name=”Converj (2009)”]

Cadillac has a long history of producing breathtaking concept cars, especially over the last 20 years

Cadillac Converj Concept
Photo: © General Motors

Cadillac Converj Concept (2009)

The Cadillac Converj Concept was a hit at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. This vehicle combined the Chevy Volt’s one-of-a-kind hybrid powertrain with Cadillac’s art-and-science design language. The result was a 2+2 coupe concept that could travel up to 40 miles using only electric energy before the engine kicked in. The Converj also provided a lush and extravagant cabin that featured a silk headliner, wool-blend carpet, and white suede upholstery. Adding to the car’s tech-savvy nature was a touchcreen system, which could be used to control the stereo equipment, climate controls, and navigation technology. The Converj Concept eventually went into production where it became known as the Cadillac ELR, but that model was discontinued after just a few short years due to extremely low sales.

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[wptab name=”Ciel (2011)”]

Cadillac has a long history of producing breathtaking concept cars, especially over the last 20 years

Cadillac Ciel Concept
Photo: © General Motors

Cadillac Ciel Concept (2011)

The Cadillac Ciel Concept was notable for forgoing the big burly V8 engine that traditionally came with many Cadillac models at the time. Instead, the Ciel Concept came equipped with a twin-turbo V6, which was complemented by a lithium-ion battery pack that allowed the four-seat convertible to travel short distances while using only electric power. The word “Ciel” is the French word for “sky” and this convertible was meant to provide the ultimate open-air driving experience. The interior of the Ciel was also expertly crafted as it featured leather seats, Italian Olive Wood, and all of the machined aluminum trim a person could ever asked for. In addition, the Ciel Concept was at the center of a not-so-elaborate internet hoax a few years back, where people were tricked into sharing a photo of the Ciel in hopes that rap star Eminem would give them his very own Cadillac roadster.

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[wptab name=”Elmiraj (2013)”]

Cadillac has a long history of producing breathtaking concept cars, especially over the last 20 years

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept
Photo: © General Motors

Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Car (2013)

The Cadillac Elmiraj Concept made its debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance back in 2013. This concept vehicle came with two doors, provided seating for four, and was powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine rated at 500 horsepower. The Elmiraj was extremely large as well, measuring 205-inches in overall length and processing a wheelbase of 121 inches. Some other notable equipment featured on the Elmiraj included 22-inch aluminum wheels, 265/35 Michelin tires, and a forward-view camera. The Elmiraj was named after a dry lake bed in the Mojave Desert. This particular lake bed was popular among Hollywood filmmakers and auto enthusiasts who visited this location to test the upper limits of their performance cars.

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[wptab name=”Escala (2016)”]

Cadillac has a long history of producing breathtaking concept cars, especially over the last 20 years

Cadillac Escala Concept
Photo: © General Motors

Cadillac Escala Concept (2016)

Cadillac released its new CT6 flagship sedan in early 2016, but some Cadillac loyalists weren’t satisfied with the car, saying it wasn’t long enough to be a true Cadillac flagship. The luxury automaker responded in a big way with the Cadillac Escala Concept, which made its official debut at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Escala was more than six inches longer than the CT6 sedan and featured a twin-turbo V8 engine, which also cannot be found in the CT6’s options list. One of the other surprising parts about the Escala is that it didn’t come with a leather-soaked interior like many Cadillac models. Instead the seats were covered in high-end fabric that’s used to create expensive suits.

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Speaking Of Cadillac Concepts: Reports suggest the Escala Concept might impact future Cadillac design plans