The $340,000 Cadillac Celestic, General Motors’ flagship electric vehicle, was expected to hit the market by the end of 2024, but that deadline has passed. It’s still unclear when the luxury EV will be officially unveiled, but there are signs that production has already begun. Those who want to reserve early units can sign up for Cadillac’s waitlist. Meanwhile, renowned car collector and comedian Jay Leno got the chance to drive a pre-production Celestic, which he was very impressed with.
Leno, one of the first members of the public to drive the Celestic, had a detailed discussion with Cadillac chief engineer Tony Roma. On his YouTube show Jay Leno’s Garage, Roma explained the car’s features. The Celestic’s dual motors produce 650 horsepower, which beats previous estimates. It features all the advanced technology you would expect in a luxury EV, including air suspension, adaptive dampers, and active roll stabilisation.
The Celestic’s design and performance impressed Leno. The 6,500-pound vehicle offers excellent body control and a sporty driving experience. The active roll stabilisation, which keeps the vehicle stable in corners, seems to defy physics. The acceleration sound, available only in Sport mode, is similar to the sound of the Cadillac Lyric, which adds excitement to the driving experience.
Tony Roma revealed that the idea for the Celestic was formed after the development of the Cadillac Lyric. The luxury EV was created as part of General Motors’ decision to make Cadillac its flagship electric brand. The Celestic is designed to be a model that demonstrates the company’s technological and design excellence. Roma’s candid talk, which shared insights into the vehicle’s development process, highlights the importance of this project.
The Celestic doesn’t come with traditional options; all features come as standard. Innovative features like four-quadrant electrochromic glass ensure individualized comfort for each passenger. However, buyers will have to pay extra for customizations. This approach is similar to the strategy of Rolls-Royce, which marks it as one of the Celestic’s direct competitors.
Although not fully ready for production, the Celestic driven by Leno gave the impression of a finished vehicle. Combining excellent comfort and dynamic performance, this vehicle is set to set new standards in the luxury EV segment. Despite being a heavy vehicle, its driving pleasure gives hope to those who want to experience it behind the wheel of the Celestic.