Cadillac reveals Ultimate Luxury Concept

By Tom Phillips

November 2010

Cadillac does downsizing! This is the firm’s Ultimate Luxury Concept which has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show. Designed in California, the supermini is intended to offer US drivers a car that’s compact and manoeuvrable, but features an interior with all the luxury and space of Cadillac’s larger cars.

Measuring 3,835mm long, 1,730mm wide and 1,446 high, the Cadillac is a little longer, wider and lower than a Cygnet. The Ultimate Luxury Concept also features a 467mm longer wheelbase, at 2,467mm, liberating a decent amount of interior space.

The Ultimate Luxury Concept is a four-seater, with the interior accessed through a pair of scissor doors which extend outward and rotate forwards when opened.

Touch-pad screens and projected readouts take the place of most traditional gauges and serve as the audio and climate system controls, while the interior is trimmed with luxurious leather and a splash of wood detailing.

“While small in size, this concept is an exploration of what Cadillac could be in the future, as the brand continues to focus on redefining industry standards for advanced vehicle design and integrated technology,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing.

The car’s hybrid powertrain features a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with stop start, connected to a compact twin-clutch gearbox. There’s an electric assist system to boost power, which allows the concept to return 56 US mpg (67.3 UK mpg) in the city and 65 US mpg (78.1 UK mpg) on the highway.