As one of the most iconic and influential American brands in the automotive industry, Cadillac has been consistently delivering on their promise of luxury for over a century. Some of the models behind this brand are now cemented as the most impressive and memorable four-wheelers ever produced.
Today, we count down the coolest and most badass Cadillac models we could find. This list will feature everything from iconic vintage roadsters to classic masterpieces and amazing concepts, effectively showcasing the impact this brand has had on the automotive community. Enjoy!
10 Bulletproof Cadillac Escalade
The flagship SUV has received some significant modifications by an American special-ops-funded aftermarket company AddArmor. You can pretty much guess where we're going with this. This Escalade takes the word "secure" to a whole new level. It's capable of withstanding close-proximity explosions and high-powered rifle shots to the windows. For the level of protection this Escalade offers, ballistic steel just won't cut it. So, the company plated the whole thing in carbon-composite panels - a lightweight material that's about 10 times stronger than steel.
9 Al Capone’s Cadillac Model 341
Owned and used by Al Capone himself, what is this car if not badass? But, there's a bit more to why this car sold for $341,000 (notice the neat coincidence in the price tag?) in 2012. Not only is it an important piece of history, but one of the most significant early Cadillac models. The car is actually a 1928 Cadillac V-Town, which survives as one of the very first bulletproof cars ever constructed. And it paved the way for a few of the cars we see on this list. The 341 has ballistic glass and armored plating around the entire vehicle, while under the hood it packs a 341-ci (5.6L) V8 that churns out 90 horsepower, more or less.
8 The United States Presidential State Car
President Trump rolls in a fresh, military-grade armored Cadillac limo. This presidential state car is modified to provide the highest standard of safety and luxury, featuring impenetrable armor and bulletproof windows and tires. The entire thing weighs around 20,000 lbs, and pulling all that weight is a more-than-sufficient 5.0L diesel engine. US presidents have been using Cadillacs as their preferred vehicles almost consistently since the 1980s, and this one is more secure and advanced than any that came before it, including its predecessor dubbed "The Beast." The new Presidential Cadillac is truly badass.
7 Cadillac World Thorium Fuel Concept
You might be wondering what exactly is it that you're looking at here. The appropriately named WTF concept car (which stands for World Thorium Fuel, to be clear), is actually Cadillac's attempt at creating a fully self-sustaining nuclear-powered car that can survive for 100 years without any significant maintenance. More specifically, powering the car's batteries would be the radioactive element Thorium. The "WTF" doesn't stop there, as the wheels the car uses are not actual wheels, rather six combined "discs" that make up a wheel on each corner of the car, 24 of them in total. For this interesting concept, we have Cadillac designer Loren Kulesus to thank.
6 Cadillac Series 452, V16
This is what a true luxury sports car of the '30s looks like, and one of the best at that. The "452" indeed marks the displacement of this car's massive V16, that's able to churn out a then-remarkable 175 horsepower. But it's not the car's power we admire the most, it's the badass, timeless design. The car's official reveal had a somewhat unfortunate timing. Yet, it was so desirable that, despite its excessive price tag, the company managed to sell 2000 units in the midst of the Great Depression. A beautiful and exciting two-seater for the most privileged speed-freaks, this vintage supercar is nothing short of badass.
5 2019 Cadillac CT6
The 20 year-long wait has paid off and Cadillac has returned with a brand new, rear-wheel drive, full-size luxury sedan — the first one since the fabled Fleetwood left the production line in 1996 ...and it's better than anyone could have ever predicted. Gone are the comfortable albeit dull limousines we're used to. The new CT6 conquers corners with the deft of a sports sedan. In fact, it may very-well be considered one, as it offers an exciting 4.2L twin-turbo V8 producing 500 horsepower flat, propelling the 5450-lb monster to 60 in 4.4 seconds. And (must we add), it's gorgeous.
4 Cadillac Ciel
Unveiled in 2011, the Ciel concept represents Cadillac's vision of an electric convertible for the future. Under the hood is a 425-horsepower, twin-turbo V6, that unfortunately never got to see much action on the road.
As for the design, many of the Ciel's features were inspired by the sleek Cadillac Phaeton 5859 convertible hailing all the way from the '30s. Following this, the interior has a strong retro-flare, packed with brown leather and polished wood. However, by also utilizing the most modern design cues, such as the rear-hinged back doors and the elongated, futuristic LED headlights, the Ciel strikes a beautiful balance between the past and the future.
3 Custom 1959 Cadillac DeVille Convertible
Creeping seamlessly like a vague shadow in the dark, it will terrify anyone unlucky enough to cross its path it in the dead of night. Well, maybe not, but its darn well as close as we can get to a real-world old-school Batmobile. Needless to say, this custom DeVille convertible looks absolutely badass, not that it isn't a shame to even touch this 60-year old classic.
The first generation DeVille is arguably one of the most beautiful cars ever made, and every bit as iconic as the early Eldorados (also on this list). If you opened one up, you'd usually find a beastly 6.4L V8 that puts out 325 horsepower, straight from the factory. However, we can only guess at what hides inside this one.
2 Hennessey CTS-V
You read that right. Texas high-end tuning company's newest project was the CTS-V. The sedan is already renowned for its ridiculous power and performance, stock with a 649-horsepower V8. Heck, it's one of the fastest sedans in the world. But, Hennessey being Hennessey didn't think that was quite enough, and so this car was born.
With an elegant, four-door design, the tuned 1000-hp CTS-V is still faster than almost any modern supercar, making the 60 mph dash in just 2.9 seconds! News recently hit that Cadillac is discontinuing the CTS-V sports sedan for 2020, and given the circumstances, we can consider this project a proper send-off to the iconic model.
1 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
With a design inspired by a P-38 Lightning aircraft and a supply of 345 horsepower, courtesy of the 6.4L OHV V8 monster under the hood, the Eldorado Biarritz was a true masterpiece of '50s automotive technology. It manages to capture the very best of what made this era so special, and remains hands-down the most legendary Cadillac ever created.
Even in the '50s, the Biarritz was a rare gem, as Cadillac only ever produced 1320 units of this convertible, each lauded for its beauty and splendor. As a matter of fact, in 2016, a 1959 model had sold at auction for a staggering $390,500.