CAR /
MOTOR SHOW
December 25, 2014
Cadillac's Full-Size Coupe Concept | Cadillac
Cadillac Elmiraj Concept
A Hint of the Traditional American Full-Size Coupe's Return?
Cadillac's Full-Size Coupe Concept
Following the open-top "Ciel" concept, Cadillac has unveiled a coupe concept that can be seen as the second installment in a series of full-size personal models.
Text by SAKURAI Kenichi
A Creation Inspired by the 1967 Eldorado
General Motors (GM) has unveiled the Cadillac "Elmiraj," a full-size coupe concept car, at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California.
Bob Ferguson, Vice President of the Cadillac Division, introduced the concept car, stating, "The Cadillac Elmiraj is a next-generation luxury coupe concept, a new coupe model developed with consideration for what Cadillac's performance and luxury truly represent."
The design was handled by Cadillac's Advanced Design Studio in North Hollywood, California, with Frank Saucedo serving as Chief Designer.
The Cadillac Elmiraj is seen as a concept car heralding the return of Cadillac's full-size coupes, a segment left vacant since the XLR. It can also be interpreted as the second installment in a series of full-size personal models, following the Cadillac "Ciel" open-top concept car unveiled at the same Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2011. This completes the coupe and convertible lineup, and depending on the reaction at this event, some anticipate the production model's debut, though it may be a bit premature.
While the Cadillac Elmiraj adopts a pure coupe style in its design, its positioning clearly suggests a successor to the XLR, a coupe-cabriolet with a retractable metal roof, as a flagship coupe. Tracing its roots further back, one can find its lineage in past full-size coupes like the "Eldorado" and "DeVille Coupe."
Indeed, at the same Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance venue, Cadillac exhibited the 1967 "Eldorado," the 1965 "DeVille Coupe," and the 1937 "Series 90 V16" concurrently with the Elmiraj's world premiere.
This suggests that the Elmiraj, poised to lead Cadillac into the future, is the rightful successor to Cadillac's full-size coupes, a lineage spanning over 125 years.
In fact, Clay Dean, Executive Director of Cadillac Advanced Design, commented, "The 1967 Cadillac Eldorado was a car that showed a very contrasting and new direction compared to other cars of its era. We were greatly influenced by it in terms of design and concept."
Cadillac Eldorado 1967
A Modern Interpretation of the Coupe Silhouette
The notable Cadillac Elmiraj adopts Cadillac's "Art & Science" design language while reinterpreting the elegant, classic silhouette of a two-door coupe into a modern, flowing form. It presents a simple yet powerful design, an evolution of the front fascia seen in the recently released new "CTS" and "ATS" models.
With a total length of 205 inches (5,207 mm), it is a commanding four-seater coupe. The interior, featuring organic design, is finished with luxurious materials such as genuine leather and real wood, befitting a flagship. The cabin, created by the long wheelbase, is completely divided into four sections, with the rear seats offering the same design as the reclining front seats.
Furthermore, the rear seats feature a "valet function" to facilitate entry and exit. The seats slide forward by 4 inches (approximately 100 mm), and the front seats simultaneously slide forward by 10 inches (approximately 250 mm) in conjunction.
In front of the cockpit, transparent analog gauges spread out. Behind these analog gauges, a futuristic system displays driver information and the output from the front-mounted camera on a high-resolution widescreen display. Separately, there is a 10-inch touchscreen for navigation, which can be retracted into the instrument panel when not in use.
Cadillac has not released detailed specifications regarding performance or mechanics, but it has announced that the Elmiraj will utilize a rear-wheel-drive chassis similar to the CTS and XTS, and will be powered by a 500 hp, 4.5-liter V8 twin-turbo engine. As a revival of the full-size coupe embodying traditional American luxury, it is a vehicle that sparks anticipation for a production model.
Cadillac Elmiraj Concept
Body Dimensions: Length 5,207 x Width 1,930 x Height 1,397 mm
Weight: 1,814 kg
Engine: 4.5-liter V8 Twin-Turbo
Maximum Output: 373 kW (500 hp)
Maximum Torque: 678 Nm