In a bold return to its former glory days, Cadillac has unveiled the Sollei concept. A coach-built luxury electric convertible that introduces cosplay to Celestiq, the brand’s flagship model. It combines crisply tailored design and sun-washed aesthetics, like the golden palette of a faded, seaside resort postcard from the ’50s. The name “Sollei” combines “sol” (sun) and “lei” (leisure), capturing the essence of carefree travel and open-air enjoyment.

Design And Exterior

Borrowing a rib from Celestiq, the Sollei shares its front fascia and A-pillar with its four-door sibling, but the family resemblance ends there. The Sollei stretches over 18 feet long, featuring elongated doors and full-width LED taillights. Squint and you’ll see Lincoln Mark VIII vibes here. Lastly, this thing looks production ready.

Going Topless

The Sollei’s most striking feature is its absence of a roof. A metallic fabric called “Daybreak” covers the convertible top, allowing occupants to bask in some rays and leisurely enjoy their journey. The new-fangled covering is one of many space-age materials used in the cabin of Cadillac’s latest concept. These elements are key in creating value and intrique in a “bespoke” automobile.

Interior Craftsmanship

The Sollei’s interior draws inspiration from the Celestiq, including the 55-inch glass dashboard with integrated screens. However, the Sollei adds a rear-seat beverage chiller with crystal glasses, creating a luxurious and functional mini-galley. Furthermore, buttery, chiffon Nappa leather seats feature a sunburst motif, complemented by pink iridescent pigment that shifts colors in different lighting conditions. Finally, wood trim graces the cabin, and ambient lighting offers 126 color options.

Custom Bird Calls And A Journal

Sollei also caters to bird-watching connoisseurs with a unique interior accessory. A custom metal and leather-wrapped case houses 3D printed acrylic bird calls, a leather-bound journal with hand-painted bird illustrations, and a leather tool roll for pens and pencils. Additionally, all of this matches the color of the vehicle interior and enables people to capture their bird-watching experiences. We’re not making this up.

Powertrain And Performance

Although Cadillac hasn’t provided specific details, the Sollei shares the Ultium platform with the Celestiq. The production version is expected to feature a dual-motor setup producing 600 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. With a 111 kWh battery pack, the Sollei aims for a range of approximately 300 miles, making it suitable for suburban drives and sun-soaked adventures.

Sunny Optimism

The Sollei has a laundry list of cool Easter egg touches:

• Unique sunburst-themed lighting and graphic choreography.
• Sunburst motif perforation, quilting, and embroidery on seat patterns.
• Interior Fine Nappa leather featuring a pink iridescent pigment that creates a subtle color-changing sunrise effect.
• Charging mats on the console, door map pockets, and custom accessories are made from MycoWorks’ premium bio-based material created using their Fine Mycelium technology. This material is in an iridescent finish in a soft hue color palette.
• The pink iridescent hue on the beverage chiller door and glass tray in the rear compartment reveals different sunlight exposures.
• “Aurora” tint on primary metal finishes, which includes color shifting to reflect the phenomenon of the sun’s solar winds reacting with the earth’s atmosphere.
• Convertible metallic roof fabric called “Daybreak”, whose name ties to the functionality of the convertible roof; as the roof pulls back, sunlight can pour over the interior.
• Textured floormat material named “Bask,” a boucle fabric adding beautiful texture and subtle warmth, matching the color of the roof material and keeping the whole interior very light.

Electrified Mag’s Take

While the Sollei remains a fantasy for now, GM’s flagship division hints at its future direction with bespoke craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and a sun-loving spirit. Any trip to Los Angeles or La Jolla, California is proof that there is a robust market for high-end luxury cars, and Cadillac aims to enter the fray. The Celestiq and Sollei could be a knock-out duo that would help Cadillac re-establish itself as the Standard of the World. Our only misgiving is we wish there were a $100K version of these cars that more people could afford.

The Sollei leverages the scalability of the Ultium platform and utilizes GM’s “top-hat” philosophy. GM can stretch or shrink the Ultium platform and add any “top hat” it sees fit. Cadillac simply lifts the body off the Celestiq and drops the Sollei shell on top, creating a completely different car.  The Sollei is a great example of Ultium’s flexibility and manufacturing adaptability.

The Celestiq could retail in the mid-$300K price point. Whether or not we’ll see a production Sollei remains to be seen. If it is green-lighted for production, bring lots and lots of money. Until then, this mellow yellow convertible is quite the calling card for Ultium’s versatility.

All Photos – GM Media