Cadillac gave a hint at the brand’s future design direction with the Ciel Convertible concept unveiled at the 2011 Pebble Beach Councours D’Elegance. The styling blends strong retro themes with Cadillac’s current “Art and Science” design language.
The concept brings some unique, but not totally unprecedented features to the full-size class. The Ciel is a four-door convertible, in the vein of the Lincoln Continental convertibles of the 1960s. Also like the classic Continentals, the rear doors are rear-hinged, a design commonly referred to in enthusiast circles as “suicide” doors. However, there is no B-pillar between the doors, either half or full-height. Thus, opening the side doors gives a panoramic side view of the four-seat interior.
Cadillac also made a point during the reveal to stress that the drivetrain was longitudinally-mounted, not transverse, distancing it from the previously-announced XTS, the ostensible DTS replacement. However, like the XTS, the Ciel features a V-6 powerplant. In this case, a twin-turbocharged 3.6 liter producing an estimated 425 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
