Cadillac has introduced the SOLLEI concept vehicle, an ultimate design expression of a coach-built luxury electric convertible. This innovative design exercise showcases the limitless possibilities of custom-commissioned vehicle design, tailored to reflect the unique passions and interests of its discerning clientele.
A Vision of Electric Elegance
The SOLLEI conceptualizes an all-electric, 2+2 convertible, featuring Cadillac’s signature 55-inch pillar-to-pillar screen, an awe-inspiring interior, exterior lighting choreography for arrival and departure, and intuitive front and rear command consoles. The vehicle’s name, derived from “sun” (‘SOL’) and “leisure” (‘LEI’), encapsulates Cadillac’s inspiration for an open-air, leisurely lifestyle.
“SOLLEI reimagines the discovery of travel, envisioning a personalized driving experience that connects one with the natural world around them,” said Erin Crossley, Cadillac’s design director. “The concept celebrates Cadillac’s pedigree of elegant convertibles in a modern form by cultivating high luxury through design expressions and experiences.”
Sustainable Luxury Materials
One of the standout features of the SOLLEI is its incorporation of an innovative bio-based material developed in collaboration with MycoWorks. This Fine Mycelium™ material, made from the renewable root structure of mushrooms, is used in the charging mats on the console and the door map pockets. This partnership reflects Cadillac’s commitment to pioneering renewable automotive resources, ushering in a new era of luxury materials.
Sophisticated Exterior Design
The SOLLEI’s exterior exudes emotion and embodies Cadillac’s unmistakable bold proportions. Its low, elongated body, wide stance, and long coupe door facilitate easy access to the spacious rear. The vehicle’s uninterrupted surfaces and stretched A-line emphasize its length, while the low tail design creates dynamic yet elegant proportions. Discreet buttons replace conventional door handles, maintaining the car’s clean profile.
Reviving Cadillac’s heritage of bold colors, the SOLLEI is finished in “Manila Cream,” a color originally used on Cadillacs in 1957 and 1958. This revived finish was meticulously curated and hand-painted by Cadillac craftsmen, adding a touch of classic elegance to a modern design.
Artistic Interior and Expressive Personality
The interior of the SOLLEI channels Cadillac’s “art of travel” design philosophy, elevating the travel experience for both driver and passenger. It features a fully integrated beverage chiller with a power glass door and crystal glasses, seamlessly blending leisure with travel. Illuminated décor and unique embellishments add expression to the brand’s unparalleled aesthetics.
Wrapped in unstained wood veneers, the interior decor honors natural color and grain pattern variations. Surfaces feature open pore finishes that can be felt by touch, and each piece is hand-cut and hand-laid using marquetry techniques, creating a beautiful focal point that draws the eye from the front doors to the console, and into the rear compartment. The windshield is framed in milled brushed aluminum, continuing Cadillac’s use of natural materials.
Personalization and Nature Connection
Cadillac’s use of lighting as a layer of personalization reaches new heights in the SOLLEI. The vehicle offers distinguished ambient lighting with multiple zones and 126 color options in each zone, allowing for true customization. The lighting can evoke specific moods and personalize the interior ambiance.
SOLLEI also caters to bird-watching connoisseurs with a unique interior accessory. A custom brushed metal and leather-wrapped case houses 3D-printed acrylic bird calls, a leather-bound journal with hand-painted bird illustrations, and a leather tool roll for pens and pencils, made to custom match the vehicle interior. This allows enthusiasts to capture their bird-watching experiences in style.
Celestial and Optimistic Design
Celebrating the optimism of travel and the celestial environment, SOLLEI is rich in sensory engagement and unexpected discoveries. Sun-themed features are pronounced in its color, materials, and finishes:
- Sunburst-themed lighting and graphic choreography.
- Sunburst motif perforation, quilting, and embroidery on seat patterns.
- Interior Fine Nappa leather featuring a pink iridescent pigment that creates a subtle color-changing sunrise effect.
- Charging mats on the console and door map pockets made from MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium™ technology.
- An “Aurora” tint on primary metal finishes, reflecting the sun’s solar winds reacting with the earth’s atmosphere.
- A convertible metallic roof fabric called “Daybreak,” which ties to the functionality of the roof, allowing sunlight to pour over the interior.
- Textured floormat material named “Bask,” a boucle fabric adding beautiful texture and subtle warmth, matching the color of the roof material.
Continuing the Tradition of Bespoke Expression
The SOLLEI convertible represents Cadillac’s vision of modern design in an open-air format, inspired by iconic Cadillacs from the past. Officially unveiled at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt, a newly restored, state-of-the-art facility at GM’s Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, SOLLEI sets a new standard for bespoke luxury.
