Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Cadillac Sixteen

Designers' sketches of a new car are always exaggerated. Over-sized wheels, low roof-lines and pointed panels make the drawings look like a caricature of the machine which eventually appears in the metal. But not the Sixteen. Sitting in front of us with its sleek, razor-sharp lines, it looks as if it has jumped straight off the stylist's notepad.

By Tom Barnard

July 2003

Designers' sketches of a new car are always exaggerated. Over-sized wheels, low roof-lines and pointed panels make the drawings look like a caricature of the machine which eventually appears in the metal. But not the Sixteen. Sitting in front of us with its sleek, razor-sharp lines, it looks as if it has jumped straight off the stylist's notepad.

If it appears like a designer's wildest dream, the specification is the result of an engineer with a particularly vivid imagination, too. Under that massive bonnet is a 13.6-litre V16 engine with 1,000bhp - more than three times the power of a Porsche 911, and the sort of figures you'd expect from an ocean liner. And to prove it's real, Cadillac let us behind the wheel for a drive.

The Sixteen was created with one purpose - to divert attention from the Rolls-Royce and Maybach super-limos, and prove that Cadillac can still outdo any other luxury maker. It's currently only a concept, but rumour has it that a limited production run could happen.

It certainly looks the part. We drove the car at the Goodwood circuit in West Sussex, and the staff - who see priceless cars every day - were simply drooling over the Sixteen.

It's equally dramatic inside, with wood and leather framed with polished aluminium switchgear. Slide into one of the huge rear armchairs and you don't so much sit as recline, to the extent that if feels a little like being laid out in a dentist's chair.

With the engine running, the burble from the exhaust sounds like two V8 cars sitting next to each other. It's not surprising, since the V16 was created by fusing two of GM's current powerplants together and adding a few gadgets. One of them shuts off cylinders when they are not needed to conserve fuel, and all 16 fire up only when full throttle is used. The system is not quite working yet though, which explains why this show car drained its tiny five-gallon tank of fuel after a mere six laps of Goodwood's 2.4-mile circuit.

The high consumption can't be blamed on us using all of the Sixteen's performance either. To try to protect their priceless prototype, the engineers have put a 40mph restrictor on the engine. But even getting up to this speed, the car feels laid back. Squeeze the throttle and the 16 cylinders respond with a lethargic rumble that sounds like a train pulling out of a station.

The needle doesn't even get a third of the way around the rev counter before hitting the speed limiter, so there's little fun to be had. Tap the brakes and nothing happens - they need to be pushed hard to bring the Caddy to a halt. The driving experience might be a disappointment, but this would be sure to change if the Sixteen made production. That the firm can even make a car this amazing run at all is an achievement. If it went on sale, it would be a dream come true for us all.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Sponsored Results

FIRST OPINION

    Park the Cadillac Sixteen next to the most prestigious cars in the world and they will look down-market. The show car may not be as incredible to drive as it looks, but if the rumoured production run of 1,000 Sixteens is given the green light, expect a queue of well heeled buyers.
 

AT A GLANCE

    Concept car designed to revive Cadillac's super-luxury image
    Gadgets include a humidor and champagne holders
     
    - Advertisement -