When the word hand-built is thrown around in the automotive realm, it commands one’s attention, and inspires the imagination. In the case of Cadillac’s new ultra-luxury sedan Celestiq slated for 2024, it ticks all the right boxes, and introduces a new element. A smart glass roof will make an appearance on the model adding a new dimension of luxury to the segment. Suspended particle technology, four-zone adjustable tint, and ambient lighting round out the key industry-first features. What’s more, the all-glass roof panel is the largest ever equipped to a production vehicle. Among the Cadillac Celestiq’s bespoke qualities, the fixed smart glass roof creates a new definition in ultra-luxury.
A Closer Look At The Driving Force Behind Cadillac’s New Roof Panel
Suspended Particle Device Technology or SPD-SmartGlass for short is relatively new to the automotive world, but made its debut at the start of the 21st century in aircraft applications. The film that overlays the glass contains nanoparticles that change in response to a sensor based input. Cadillac has implemented this technology in a creative way, allowing the user to independently adjust tint opacity in each of the four passenger zones. The glass film contains UV and glare protection, in addition to offering an effective tint range from 1% to 20%. An indirect benefit of Cadillac employing intelligent glass is the resulting headroom bonus due to the absence of an intrusive headliner. And to further enhance the luxurious experience the Celestiq will utilize acoustic laminated glass at a thickness of 7.5mm, twice that of a standard windshield to minimize road noise.
The SPD SmartGlass Roof Amplifies The EV’s Already Impressive Efficiency
Electric vehicles are the pinnacle of energy efficiency, and the Cadillac Celestiq is no exception. Equipped with a 111-kWh battery powering all four wheels and putting down an estimated 600 horsepower and 640 lb-ft torque, the Celestiq is still able to deliver approximately 300 miles on a single charge. Expect the Celestiq to reach the coveted 0-60mph figure in a scant 3.8 seconds. Cadillac’s ability to achieve this level of performance while maintaining the driving range and required luxury car attitude is no small feat.
An abundance of efficiency enhancing technology has been deployed by Cadillac to ensure the Celestiq realizes the full potential of its powertrain and maximizes driving range. Kinetic energy recovery is handled by Cadillac’s Regen on Demand Braking technology, directing power back to the battery pack when the brakes are applied. Together with One-Pedal Driving the user is allowed to slow the car with just the accelerator while simultaneously recharging the system. Out back an active rear spoiler is positioned to retract at slower speeds, improving aerodynamic efficiency and effective range. At higher speeds the spoiler will extend to provide ample stability. And affixed top center - connecting both sides of the Cadillac Celestiq, the SPD-SmartGlass roof panel leads the charge for delivering ultimate efficiency.
The Cadillac Celestiq's intelligent roof glass plays the key role in conserving electricity. The special coating reduces the suns heating effects and lowers interior temperatures drastically, decreasing the load on the battery for heating or cooling duties. The effect is so powerful in fact, that independent calculations show that the glass can increase the driving range of EV’s by approximately 5.5%. Paired with the Celestiq’s Advanced Climate System, the energy savings are truly kicked into overdrive. With 33 microclimate devices positioned throughout the vehicle working in tandem with the heat rejecting glass, a significant reduction in HVAC energy consumption is realized.
Cadillac’s Industry-First Roof Panel Synthesizes Function And Form
The engineers at Cadillac struck a perfect balance in designing the fixed smart glass roof, adding powerful features while still creating it to be visually appealing. A combination of multicolor ambient lighting and automatic roof opacity play a fundamental role in creating an exclusive experience for the user. Factors such as time of day, weather, and season are all at play with each interaction. As such, the Cadillac Celestiq's interior has the ability to produce a choreography of colors depending on the surroundings.
The Cadillac Celestiq’s Best Feature
Aiming to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq is revisiting the company’s 20th century build philosophy of bespoke, handcrafted, and built to order. Legendary vehicles such as the 1933 V16 Aerodynamic Coupe and the 1957 Eldorado Brougham serve as the basis for the Celestiq’s inspiration. All the core elements of an ultra-luxury, hand-built machine are present in the sedan. And the new industry-first Fixed Smart Glass Roof adds additional value to the equation, further bolstering the Celestiq's position in the market. A new dimension of luxury is realized with this feature and serves as the focal point for which all other characteristics build from. A significant portion of efficiency and style is obtained through the SmartGlass roof, cementing the unit as the best feature offered on the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq.