2011 Cadillac Ciel Concept
|
Price |
-- |
Production |
-- | ||
|
Engine |
3.6 liter V6 hybrid |
Weight |
-- | ||
|
Aspiration |
-- |
Torque |
-- | ||
|
HP |
-- |
HP/Weight |
-- | ||
|
HP/Liter |
-- |
1/4 mile |
-- | ||
|
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from Cadillac Press
Release) Cadillac Ciel Concept Celebrates the Journey
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Cadillac today unveiled the Ciel concept, an
elegant, open-air grand-touring car inspired by the natural beauty
of the California coast.
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-liter 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 fender lines run from nose to tail, and nickel-plated
bright work accents the body lines, enhancing the visual length of
the car and honoring Cadillac touring cars of the past.
Ciel’s exterior flows seamlessly into the cabin, with the body color
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-color upper sections from a complementing beige
lower color. Italian Olive wood, machined aluminum and hand-tipped
leather are elements that flow through the interior, complementing
the primary colors with warm, rich tones.
“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 color, developed
specifically for Ciel, is inspired by the rich translucence of a
glass of red wine held up to the sunlight.
A prominent, polished aluminum 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 emphasizes 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 color, but plays a more supporting role.
The car rides on large, beautifully finished wheels that feature
brushed nickel plating over milled billet aluminum, 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.
And owing to Cadillac’s heritage of advanced technology, the
headlamps and taillamps 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 color 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” center console that runs from the instrument panel to the
rear of the interior. It effectively creates 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 via social media sights.
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-aluminum housing that has the intricate depth of a
high-quality chronograph. They offer dual readouts – analog and
digital – as well as an information hierarchy. Additional interior
features include:
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.
“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 center console opens to reveal a small
humidor, stocked with a few cigars.
“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 Center,
which is managed by Frank Saucedo. Niki Smart was the lead exterior
designer, with Buzyn leading interior development.
About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology.