Cadillac unveils Ciel concept open-air grand tourer; hybrid transmission w/ electric drive at low speed
19 August 2011
In Pebble Beach, Calif., Cadillac unveiled the Ciel concept, a four-seat open-air grand tourer powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter direct injection V-6 engine, paired with a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology and offering all-electric drive at low speeds.
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| The Cadillac Ciel. Click to enlarge. |
The 3.6L V6 with continuously variable valve timing delivers 425 hp (317 kW) and 430 lb-ft (583 N·m) of torque. As the car is a concept, said a Cadillac spokesperson, there is no further information available on the transmission at this time.
The Ciel is about the romance of the drive. It emulates the great touring cars seen on the greens at Pebble Beach, but with a modern flair that projects Cadillac’s vision for the future.
—Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac
With a wheelbase of 125 inches—about 12 inches longer than a CTS sedan—the Ciel provides generous space. The doors are French-style, with the rear doors hinged at the rear—there is no B-pillar—to reveal a sweeping view of the interior.
The more companies play with hybridization, the better they will get at it.
So this has to be a good thing.
(Not a big good thing, but a good thing nonetheless).
[A hybridized Ford Focus at a 1-2K price premium would be a big good thing.]
Posted by: mahonj | 19 August 2011 at 03:47 AM
I will wait for global cooling before considering a convertible.
Posted by: ejj | 19 August 2011 at 06:24 AM
These may be built for the Chinese growing market?
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 August 2011 at 07:07 AM
@HD,
Do you mean for farmers and horticulturalists?
Posted by: mahonj | 19 August 2011 at 07:32 AM
No....for the soon to be 5,000,000+ millionaires and billionaires over there.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 August 2011 at 01:04 PM