That's Amore

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\\ Cadillac Ciel Caddy-wack American luxury brand goes crazy with boat-inspired concept car By RON HAMMERTON CADILLAC has revealed a precursor to an all-new flagship model that harks back to the golden age of American land-barge motoring but without all the gasguzzling drawbacks. The open-top Cadillac Ciel grand tourer concept – appropriately unveiled in California at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where such old-style classic cars abound – is said to be underpinned by a new General Motors architecture that will spawn a latterday Eldorado. This platform under the Ciel (French for sky and pronounced C-L) might be a variation of Cadillac’s new large-car architecture that will provide the basis of the recently announced XTS sedan. Although the Ciel show car abounds with design flourishes that are unlikely to make it into production, Cadillac says the styling language points the way to how its cars may look in the future. The boat-like cruiser, with its acres of leather, real olive-tree polished wood and long, low body, dispenses with the monstrous 12- and eight-cylinder engines of previous generations and adopts a modern and efficient hybrid powertrain employing a twin-turbo 317kW version of GM’s direct-injection 3.6-litre V6, hooked up with an electric motor and lithiumion batteries that can provide electric-only drive at low speeds. The all-wheel driveline ends at massive 22inch wheels that, despite their individual size, look to be in proportion with the rest of the car, r Ê N 3 4 Compare, Select and Save H 6 /14
such are its massive dimensions. For example, the wheelbase is 3175mm – 260mm longer than the between-the-axles stretch of the VE Holden Commodore. Designed at GM’s North Hollywood studios in California, the Ciel was said to be inspired by that state’s iconic coastal drive, on Highway 1. Cadillac global design director Clay Dean Compare, Select and Save said the Ciel reflected the Cadillac heritage that was all about expressive luxury. “Large, expressive luxury is innate to Cadillac and the Ciel recalls that heritage, while suggesting where the brand can go in the future,” said Mr Dean. “Authentic luxury is driven by experiences, not just products, and Ciel is about the experience of Imperial leather: Traditional materials dominate an interior that features a cigar humidor and aromatherapy dispenser. the journey. The Ciel is about the romance of the drive. It emulates the great touring cars seen on the greens at Pebble Beach (during the Concours d’ Elegance), but with a modern flair that projects Cadillac’s vision for the future.” Even the deep burgundy paint of the Ciel was inspired by California – a Napa Valley red wine in a glass held up to the sun. In grand tourer tradition, the rear doors of the four-seat open-top limo are rear-hinged in what Cadillac describes as “French-style”. With both side doors opened, the pillarless access to the dark leather-clad seats is vast, revealing leather trim wrapped around the door ends. The LED running lights – stacked vertically on the sharp outer edges of the front fascia – r H 3 4 Ê N 7 /14
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That's Amore

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