Cadillac was first founded in 1902, and the American automakers have been producing concept vehicles ever since the '50s. Back then, their concept cars were mainly focused on design, but in the last twenty years, Cadillac has followed the Art & Science Design language which puts greater focus on sporty designs and amazing cabins full of technology.
Today, we’ve compiled a list of the 15 sweetest concept cars from Cadillac. We really wish some of these had made it into production! In terms of looks, our personal favorite has to be the Cadillac Cyclone, an awesome two-seat bubble top convertible that looks like a rocket.
Many of these concept cars were the inspiration for production vehicles, such as the Cadillac Provoq which gave birth to the 2010 Cadillac SRX. What about you – what’s your favorite? Anyway, without further ado, let’s get started!
15 Cadillac Cien Concept (2002)
The Cien is a concept car designed by Simon Cox that was first unveiled to the public at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show to celebrate the American automakers’ 100th anniversary.
This 2-door coupe came equipped with a monstrous 7.5-liter V12 engine able to produce 750 horsepower. It appeared in the movie The Island released in 2005, as well as the video games Midnight Club 2 and Gran Turismo 4.
14 Cadillac Converj Concept (2009)
The Cadillac Converj is a coupe concept by the American automakers that was first unveiled to the public at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. It was the inspiration for the Cadillac ELR, which went into production between 2013 and 2016, but that was produced fewer than 3,000 times.
13 Cadillac Ciel Concept (2011)
The Cadillac is a hybrid electric concept car that comes equipped with a 3.6-liter engine able to produce 425 horsepower. First unveiled to the world at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Ciel features suicide doors and while the American automakers thought about getting into production, plans were aborted in 2013 as it wasn’t worth the cost.
12 Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Car (2013)
The Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Car is a four-seat full-size luxury coupe that was first presented at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. It comes equipped with a 4.5-liter twin-turbo V8 engine able to produce 500 horsepower, and it features a pillarless hardtop profile, which hadn’t been seen in Cadillac cars since the late 70s.
11 Cadillac Escala Concept (2016)
Designed by Frank Wu, Aaron Riggs, and Eric Um, the Escala is a concept by Cadillac that was first presented at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The American automakers have stated that this one might go into production, but probably not, as many of its advanced technology features are already being used in the production of new Cadillacs.
10 Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept (2010)
The Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept is a quirky, robotic-looking three-door, four-seater hatchback that was first unveiled to the public at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. Designed by Niki Smart, It features scissor doors and in the cabin, the traditional gauges were replaced with touchpad screens for a futuristic feel.
9 Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept (2008)
The Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept has an awesome design, perhaps because it sort of looks like a carefully cut diamond. First presented at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, much importance was placed on its looks, with the director of interior design claiming that it is a “forward-looking design in every sense of the term.”
8 Cadillac Cyclone Concept (1959)
The Cadillac Cyclone looks like a rocket, and for that reason alone, we wish this one had made it into production. What a sleek look! Designed by Harley Earl, it was first presented to the world at the 1959 Daytona 500 Festivities. This two-seat bubble top convertible comes equipped with a 390 cubic inch V8 engine able to produce 325 horsepower.
7 Cadillac Provoq Plug-in Hydrogen Fuel Cell Concept (2008)
The Cadillac Provoq is a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that was first presented at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. It comes equipped with the same hybrid powertrain as the Chevrolet Volt. Initially, it was only a concept, but it then evolved into the 2010 Cadillac SRX.
6 Cadillac Voyage Concept (1988)
There is truly no other car out there that looks like the Cadillac Voyage Concept, a luxury four-wheel sedan full of technology. It featured technology able to automatically switch from rear-wheel-drive to all-wheel-drive if needed, as well as electronic anti-lock braking and four-wheel disc brakes.
5 Cadillac Steinmetz Catera Concept (1999)
The Steinmetz Catera is a high-performance concept vehicle that was presented by Cadillac in order to bring attention to the Catera Sport package that was featured on all 1999 Cadillacs. Based on the Opel Omega, the Steinmetz Catera came equipped with an engine able to produce 284 horsepower.
4 Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept (2010)
The Cadillac XTS Platinum was first presented at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. This luxury sedan of the future comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine as well as a plug-in hybrid system. The interior is full of luxury, with fine craftsmanship and elegance in the cabin.
3 Cadillac Sixteen (2003)
The Cadillac Sixteen was first presented to the world in 2003, and many gearheads far and wide wish this one made it into production. This full-size luxury car comes equipped with an enormous 13.6-liter V16 engine and four-speed automatic transmission. It once featured on Top Gear, and James May claimed that it was “exactly what a Cadillac should be.”
2 Cadillac Aurora (1990)
The Cadillac Aurora is a concept sedan that was first unveiled to the public at the 1990 Chicago Auto Show. It came equipped with a 4.5-liter V8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission. The Oldsmobile Aurora, a production vehicle that was released in 1995, is based on this concept, especially its powertrain and exterior design.
1 Cadillac Le Mans Concept (1953)
The Cadillac Le Mans is a 2-door convertible luxury roadster that was first presented at the General Motors Motorama in 1953. Only four were ever made, and the only one still around is displayed at the Cadillac Historical Collection in Michigan. Strangely, one of the four went missing and was never seen again.