Cadillac Ciel Concept
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Images: copyright General Motors
(used by Next Car with permission)
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4th September, 2011
Last month (18/8/11), in Carmel California (USA), Cadillac
unveiled the Ciel concept car, an elegant, open-air grand-touring vehicle.
The Ciel – pronounced “C-L,” the French translation for sky – is a four-seat convertible that opens a new
chapter in Cadillac’s design and product ascent, pushing the brand’s Art & Science philosophy into a new
stratum. Ciel is a new expression of Cadillac’s historical grandeur, as well as a celebration of open-air
motoring.
“Large, expressive luxury is innate to Cadillac and the Ciel recalls that heritage, while suggesting
where the brand can go in the future,” said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. “Authentic
luxury is driven by experiences, not just products, and Ciel is about the experience of the journey.”
The spacious and elegant Ciel is a grand gesture that explores themes driving Cadillac’s explorations into
range-topping flagship luxury. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-litre Direct Injection
V-6 engine, paired with a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology.
Coastal inspiration
Driving California’s Highway 1 in an open car while the sun sets, from Big Sur north to Monterey, is the
type of journey the Ciel team envisioned during its design.
“The Ciel is about the romance of the drive,” said Dean. “It emulates the great touring cars
seen on the greens at Pebble Beach, but with a modern flair that projects Cadillac’s vision for the
future.”
The four-door Ciel embraces the social aspects of a recreational journey, with generous room for two
couples. It evokes the spirit of the classics with a long, low proportion. The doors are French-style, with
the rear doors hinged at the rear – there is no B-pillar – to reveal a sweeping view of the dramatic
interior. Distinguishing lines run from nose to tail, and nickel-plated bright work accents the body lines,
enhancing the visual length of the car and honouring Cadillac touring cars of the past.
Ciel’s exterior flows seamlessly into the cabin, with the body colour rolling over on top of the interior
door panels. Like the exterior, the passenger space is accented with sweeping nickel-plated trim. It divides
the body-colour upper sections from a complementing beige lower colour. Italian Olive wood, machined
aluminium and hand-tipped leather are elements that flow through the interior, complementing the primary
colours with warm, rich tones.
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“There is authentic craftsmanship in the way the exterior and interior elements meld, much like a
vintage wooden boat,” said Gael Buzyn, interior design manager. “It is romantic, not only in its form,
but the materials – nothing smells as good as real wood and leather. It blends together for a rewarding
feeling of uncompromising luxury.”
Ciel literally and figuratively reflects the driving experience along the California coastline. The
Cabernet paint colour, developed specifically for Ciel, is inspired by the rich translucence of a glass of
red wine held up to the sunlight.
A prominent, polished aluminium windshield frame serves as in important structural element of the vehicle,
as well as aesthetic one, recalling classic open cars of the past. Additional exterior cues, including a
shield grille and vertical lighting elements, are pure Cadillac, but suggest a more organic interpretation of
the brand’s signature design language that emphasises the artistic and natural sides of it. The body sides,
for example, are more rounded, sweeping upward. Bright work is used to bring contrast to the deep paint
colour, but plays a more supporting role.
The car rides on large, beautifully finished wheels that feature brushed nickel plating over milled billet
aluminium, matching the materials and appearance of other trim. Carbon ceramic brake rotors are visible
behind the 22-inch rims, a visual clue to the Ciel’s foundation of performance.
The headlamps and tail lamps feature LED lighting elements – including a unique daytime running light
graphic on the front of the vehicle that is generated with gradated LED lighting.
Elegant, authentic details
Simplicity, authenticity and spaciousness were the guiding principles when it came to developing the
Ciel’s interior.
“With the Ciel, the journey is the thing, so the interior is a place of uncompromising comfort and
elegance, with technology that only makes the journey more enjoyable,” said Buzyn. “Simplicity and
lightness ensure nothing distracts from the open driving experience, while the colour and materials lend
the feeling that the vehicle’s environment blends with the surroundings.”
A wheelbase of 125 inches – about 12 inches longer than a CTS sedan – provides generous space. Luxurious
seats are bisected by a “floating” centre console that runs from the instrument panel to the rear of the
interior. It effectively provides a very personal space for each passenger and houses access to hidden
connectivity portals for each person in the vehicle – allowing them to make dinner reservations, check the
weather at their destination or even upload photos of the trip.
Simplicity is also the watchword with the Ciel’s instrument panel, which features a minimalist gauge
cluster that doesn’t impede or distract from the outward view. But while reserved in its form, it
exemplifies Cadillac’s attention to details and its priority on authentic materials. The climate vents,
for example, are mostly hidden and their airflow is distributed indirectly.
Transparent gauges deliver their information within a detailed, brushed-aluminium housing that has the
intricate depth of a high-quality chronograph. They offer dual readouts – analogue and digital – as well as an
information hierarchy. Additional interior features include:
- Sloping bolsters on the seats that allow passengers to slide into the seats more comfortably
- A personal device storage area on the front of the console with inductive charging and Bluetooth
connectivity
- A power-assisted transmission shifter that deploys as soon as the engine is started
- Lighting in the armrests that combines a natural light well for daytime driving and ambient lighting for
night time drives
- Door storage areas that are inspired by premium fashion accessories and open with high-quality zippers
- Pull-out blankets are available for all three passengers and retract automatically
- All the seats have heating and cooling features, along with a drawer containing sun lotion, sun glasses
and towels, as well as aromatherapy that is controlled from the rear armrest.
But perhaps the defining element of the Ciel’s cabin is the incorporation of Italian Olive wood on the
doors, instrument panel, console and the front seatbacks, adding warmth and craftsmanship to a car designed
to provoke an emotional response.
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“Milled solid wood delivers richness and a sensual feeling of authenticity in the visual impact of the
grain, its feel and aroma, which a veneer simply cannot,” said Buzyn. “Even in our high-tech,
connected world, luxury customers crave touches of old-world craftsmanship – the Ciel simply reflects that
with a blend of the latest technology.”
Italian Olive wood is a premium yet sustainable material and the material used in the Ciel came from a
single fallen and recycled tree, from a west coast producer of premium olive oil. It was painstakingly
prepared, including drying in a kiln, before it was cut for the concept vehicle. The numerous pieces were
then photographed so that the grain could be matched precisely. Each component was hand-milled and finished
by expert woodworking craftsmen.
The rear seating area is detailed with elegant flourishes. The rear seat passengers can pull a leather
tab, which reveals a cashmere blanket that stretches across the seating area to ward off a chill. The wood
trim in the rear centre console opens to reveal a small humidor.
“From the materials used to create it to the space and experience it offers passengers, the Ciel
represents a unique perspective on luxury, but not the only one,” said Dean. “Along with other
concepts, such as the ULC, Cadillac is demonstrating that the bandwidth of the Art & Science philosophy is
wide, indeed – and we’re going to make it even wider.”
The Ciel was developed at GM Design’s North Hollywood Design Centre (USA), which is managed by Frank
Saucedo. Niki Smart was the lead exterior designer, with Buzyn leading interior development.
Cadillac Ciel Concept Car Specifications
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Vehicle: |
Cadillac Ciel concept |
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Body style/driveline: |
four-door, four-passenger convertible with longitudinally mounted front engine and all-wheel drive |
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Wheelbase (in/mm): |
125/3,175 |
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Length (in/mm): |
203.7/5,174 |
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Width (in/mm): |
77.5/1,968 |
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Height (in/mm): |
50/1,270 |
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Engine type: |
3.6L V-6 with twin turbochargers; DOHC, continuously variable valve timing and direct injection |
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Horsepower
(hp / kW): |
425/317 |
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Torque (lb-ft / Nm): |
430/583 |
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Transmission: |
hybrid with low-speed all-electric drive |
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Front suspension: |
independent SLA with monotube shock absorbers and stabiliser bar |
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Rear suspension: |
independent multilink with monotube shock absorbers and stabiliser bar |
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Brakes: |
four-wheel disc with ABS; vented front rotors with six-piston callipers and solid rear rotors with
four-piston callipers |
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Wheel size and type: |
22 x 9-inch aluminium with brushed nickel accents |
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Tyre size: |
265/35R22 |
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