Cadillac’s Sollei Concept: The Future of Luxury EVs

In late July, Cadillac turned heads across the automotive world with the unveiling of its new concept car, the Sollei. Unlike many concept cars that exist solely as artistic renderings, the Sollei gave enthusiasts a tangible glimpse into the future of Cadillac’s luxury lineup, packed with innovative features and forward-thinking design elements. As impressive as the online photographs were, they only hinted at the true impact of the Sollei. That’s why, when Cadillac brought the Sollei to Hagerty’s Garage + Social in Los Angeles for an in-person showcase, it was the perfect opportunity to see the concept car up close and personal.

Set against the industrial backdrop of Garage + Social, the Sollei was showcased alongside another forward-looking concept, the Opulent Velocity. The latter made its debut during Monterey Car Week and presents a more aggressive, performance-oriented vision for Cadillac. With its bold lines and radical interior, Opulent Velocity represents an eye-catching, daring side of Cadillac’s future. However, it also feels more detached from a practical production car.

In contrast, Sollei, which sat diagonally across from Opulent Velocity at the event, conveyed a more refined and luxurious aesthetic. The color—described as Manila Cream, a subtle homage to Cadillac’s 1957 and 1958 models—appears softer in person than in photographs, where it initially seemed brighter. The long, low-slung profile of Sollei is another element that translates more powerfully when viewed in person, offering a sophisticated nod to the brand’s heritage of building large, luxurious vehicles.

Joining the event was Erin Crossley, the design director behind Cadillac’s production electric vehicle, the Celestiq EV. Crossley walked attendees through the design evolution of Sollei, from the initial sketches to the full-scale concept. A key question on everyone’s mind was how Cadillac managed to blend the proportions of classic internal combustion engine cars with the unmistakable signs of modern electric vehicles.

“The different design challenges that we have with electrification are the different opportunities we have,” Crossley explained. She pointed out how the absence of a traditional open-air grille, a design staple in gas-powered cars, gave Cadillac designers new freedom to experiment with lighting and technological features. The Sollei leverages this opportunity by using lights as a central element of its design, symbolizing the future of electrification.

Despite its long, sleek two-door convertible body and a rear end reminiscent of classic American land yachts, Cadillac’s executive chief engineer Brandon Vivian was quick to emphasize that Sollei represents a bold step into an electric future. “Our future is all-electric,” Vivian stated firmly. He reiterated Cadillac’s commitment to a philosophy of “zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion,” reflecting the brand’s dedication to a sustainable and innovative future.

The Sollei is much more than just an experiment in electric powertrains. Cadillac’s designers incorporated a plethora of fine details into the concept car, each designed to showcase how far the company is willing to push boundaries in the luxury automotive market. From door panels finished in open-pore wood grain to luxurious materials made from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, Sollei demonstrates Cadillac’s attention to sustainable and cutting-edge materials. One of the car’s most intriguing features is its use of color-shifting metal tints, inspired by the aurora borealis. These intricate details underscore Cadillac’s ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with forward-thinking technologies.

Other elements, however, are more whimsical in nature and unlikely to make it to a production model. For example, Sollei boasts a set of 3D-printed bird-call flutes and a beverage chiller, nodding to Cadillac’s embrace of luxury as a lifestyle rather than mere transportation. These playful features may not survive the leap from concept to consumer car, but they reflect the brand’s desire to offer more than just a vehicle, focusing instead on creating a lifestyle experience.

Vivian emphasized that Cadillac’s approach to electrification isn’t just about powertrains—it’s about redefining luxury through the integration of technology. “It’s not just electrification,” he said, “It’s the integration of technology that improves luxury. We have the philosophy that we’re trying to enable someone’s life, no matter what they want to do with it.”

Looking at the Sollei in person, the concept’s clean lines stand in stark contrast to Cadillac’s current lineup of electric vehicles, such as the Lyriq and Celestiq. The weighty angularity and black plastics seen on those models are nowhere to be found on the Sollei, which exudes a more refined and minimalist aesthetic. The overall design feels reminiscent of ultra-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, moving Cadillac’s focus toward a high-end, lifestyle-oriented identity.

For Cadillac, this shift might signal a move away from the performance-driven image fostered by the V-Series and Blackwing models over the past decade. Instead, Sollei’s design aligns more closely with Cadillac’s historical identity as a maker of American luxury vehicles. While the brand is certainly exploring the possibilities of electric performance—thanks to the immediate torque of electric motors—the Sollei suggests that Cadillac could prioritize luxury and refinement as its north star.

Given the overwhelmingly positive response to Sollei’s reveal in July, it’s no surprise that many are wondering whether Cadillac plans to build a production version of the car. When pressed on the matter, Crossley was diplomatic. “From our perspective, we look at the data in terms of the reach, who is engaging with it,” she said. “There’s a number of factors from a communications perspective, as well as interest of the media that attended the actual reveal… But at this point, it’s too early for us to actually confirm anything.”

While Cadillac has not yet committed to bringing the Sollei to market, the concept car offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of one of America’s most iconic luxury brands. With its innovative blend of classic proportions, cutting-edge materials, and forward-thinking technology, the Sollei shows that Cadillac’s electric future could be just as opulent as its storied past.