Yahoo Autos How the Cadillac Sollei Embodies the Yacht-Rock Aesthetic
From the November/December 2025 issue of Car and Driver.
Cadillac's 122-year history has had its share of ups and downs. In its prime, the automaker led the industry, with its luxury vehicles incorporating pioneering technology and quality craftsmanship. At its lowest, Cadillac sold warmed-over versions of middling GM products.
It seems the luxury brand's dog days are over, and it's once again aiming to prove itself deserving of its onetime "Standard of the World" slogan. This starts with the Celestiq, a hand-built fastback that has its sights set on Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Cadillac appears determined to maintain its momentum in the ultraluxury space, as evidenced by the Sollei concept.
The two-door Sollei is effectively a Celestiq convertible as it sits on the same underpinnings as Caddy's four-door flagship. Despite having two fewer points of entry, the Sollei retains the Celestiq's 130.2-inch wheelbase and 217.2-inch overall length. New bodywork aft of the A-pillars gives the Sollei its own distinct design. Softer lines and a boattail rear end bring gravitas to the droptop concept, which pays homage to the gargantuan Cadillac convertibles of the past while shunning retro design cues.
Like seemingly everything else about the Sollei, its doors are massive, each measuring five feet, eight inches long. Their sizable openings offer easy access to the palatial rear seats. Credit the long wheelbase, as well as the space-efficient arrangement of the 111.0-kWh battery pack's pouch-style cells that carry over from the Celestiq.
Given the many parts it shares with the Celestiq, the Sollei ought to transition from concept to production vehicle with relative ease. However, the fact that Cadillac could build the Sollei does not mean it will. Maybe if enough mega-rich clients show interest in owning a Sollei, Cadillac will greenlight at least a limited run of the electric convertible. We'd love to see this land yacht set sail.
The Design Director
Before leading the Sollei and Celestiq designs, Erin Crossley spent years working in GM's color and trim division, and it shows. Crossley offered us some insight into the creation of the Sollei's rich hues and elegant shape.
Car and Driver: How long did development take?
Erin Crossley: About a year and a half from initial sketching to the final concept vehicle being completed.
How was the color scheme decided?
The team did an exploration of like 10 different themes. Everybody just gravitated toward this yellow color.
What were some other options?
Our top two were a daytime theme, which was the yellow base, and a nighttime theme, which was deeper tones, more purple.
Why carry over the four-door Celestiq's wheelbase and overall length to the two-door Sollei concept?
That was intentional. We wanted Sollei to have this big, roomy rear seat that speaks to the idea that all occupants have the same spaciousness, with a focus on the beverage cooler between the seats.
Can you talk about the design decision to fit such long doors?
It allows for better rear-seat ingress and egress. It's larger than any production door we've ever done. It gave us that really long, elegant profile we were shooting for.
You Might Also Like