What if Cadillac revived its legendary land yachts as flagship EVs?

Cadillac, as well as other General Motors brands, have employed various creative strategies to foster interest in their contemporary EVs. Some models, such as the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Bolt EUV, aim to fill a market segment with affordable and attractive, budget electric vehicle offerings. Others, such as the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Celestiq, aim to create hype and build excitement.

Cadillac DeVille EV

A flashy, flagship Cadillac shouldn’t cost $340,000

The GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Celestiq aim to show off the capabilities of GM’s contemporary EV technology and capture the attention of even the most critical enthusiasts. Cadillac has aimed for the moon with their new Celestiq, a $340,000 USD hand-built ‘limousine of tomorrow’, but could more attainable, equally flamboyant models have a greater impact?

For starters, ditching the “hand-built” marketing angle could significantly reduce development costs, especially considering the fact that GM’s Ultium EV platform is modular and can be tailored to underpin a large variety of different models. Plus, there are very few people willing to pay a premium for a hand-built American car these days. The Ultium platform currently underpins a massive variety of GM products, such as the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. The Ultium platform even provides the base for the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX.

Cadillac DeVille EV

Flamboyant, electric land yachts would adapt Cadillac’s historic ethos to an electric future

The Floridian retiree’s pride and joy, the full-size Cadillac sedan, might still have its place in the modern world after all. Competing against European heavyweight EVs such as the BMW i7 and the Mercedes-Benz EQS, an electric Cadillac DeVille could offer the brand’s legendary comfort and spaciousness, without the drawbacks of a maintenance-heavy, gas-guzzling V8.

An electric Cadillac DeVille could offer Cadillac more than just another opportunity to take on those pesky German brands. European EV designs have been heavily criticized for their offensive styling and awkward proportions, as seen in the bulbous Mercedes-Benz EQS and the buck-toothed BMW i7. Cadillac has a serious opportunity to punch above their weight here.

During a time when Cadillac’s styling is widely lauded for its creative blend of innovation and class, there’s a good chance buyers would opt for the Cadillac based on styling alone, especially considering that their modern tech and EV performance genuinely holds up against Euro alternatives.

GM’s available Ultium platform is a worthy rival for adolescent German EV tech, so could flamboyant land yachts with superior underpinnings be the final nail in the coffin for Mercedes EQ and Audi E-Tron?

Cadillac Eldorado EV

Flagship Cadillac EVs could see the revival of long-lost Cadillac styling elements

Tall, towering tail fins and seductive fender skirts are sure to command attention on the road and in your driveway. The extroverted charm of Cadillac’s bygone era of jet-set styling makes a statement that just because Cadillac has gone electric, doesn’t mean Cadillacs have to be dull. A revived Eldorado as a high-end, luxury EV cabriolet, would add some vibrant zest to Cadillac’s current, over-structured lineup.

Cadillac, for many people, is a name that evokes images of Elvis Presley’s pink Eldorado and the striking black elegance of presidential limousines. For modern audiences, perhaps Cadillac is a bastion of raw, supercharged V8, six-speed manual performance saloons, and flashy full-size luxury SUVs. Surely, however, nobody reminisces on Cadillac’s malaise era, littered with the likes of the woeful Cimarron and the underwhelming Allante.

Reviving these extravagant land yachts of Cadillac’s yesteryears as flashy symbols of contemporary success would have a brand image effect similar to Tesla‘s Cybertruck, which is more of a polarizing showpiece than an actual, functional pickup truck. However, in place of the angular, brutalist, anti-social styling of the Cybertruck, Cadillac’s offerings would employ an eclectic revival of celebrated historical styling elements.

Cadillac Eldorado EV

For buyers, this strategy would emphasize Cadillac’s commitment to their loyal customers and the brand’s storied heritage. Unlike Jaguar’s ridiculed “Copy Nothing” strategy, Cadillac could infuse its contemporary lineup with the vivacious character the brand has built its reputation around.

Final thoughts

Do you think Cadillac should revive these historic models, or leave them to rest as excessive status symbols of the past? Is the $340,000 Celestiq the right approach for Cadillac to offer a flagship EV? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear your thoughts!