Three Years After Confirming its Existence, Cadillac Delivers its First CELESTIQ Ultra-Luxury Sedan

Cadillac finally has its ultra-luxury sedan called the CELESTIQ.  The vehicle is designed around cutting-edge technology, unparalleled luxury and offers the buyer the ability to personalize nearly every aspect of the sedan. The first Cadillac CELESTIQ was delivered in a private ceremony at Cadillac House at Vanderbilt. That is the name of the state-of-the-art facility, located at the Warren Tech Center. Buyers are able to meet with a Cadillac designer there and map out exactly what they want their vehicle to look and feel like. Every CELESTIQ will be unique. Cadillac is not saying who the first owner is or where the vehicle will ultimately be located. Only about 25 have been commissioned so far.

2025 Cadillac CELESTIQ

Cadillac says the CELESTIQ starts at around $350,000, but depending on what options the buyer chooses, the cost could climb. That puts the CELESTIQ in the realm of Bentley and Rolls Royce. Much like the Rolls, the CELESTIQ is bespoke. The buyer is able to choose nearly every aspect of the vehicle, from the colors of the accent lighting, to interior colors, types of seats, wheels, and amenities.  

Cadillac says “With the delivery of the first CELESTIQ, Cadillac marks a new milestone in American luxury and innovation. Cadillac designers and engineers set out to create the most technologically advanced vehicle possible – re-establishing Cadillac as the “Standard of the World,” a phrase the company first used in 1908.”

“The engineering philosophy in creating CELESTIQ – the north star that guided Cadillac engineers, designers, and stylists – was “Isolated Precision.” CELESTIQ delivers on this ethos with both incredible ride comfort and precise handling.”

The all-electric CELESTIQ delivers 655 horsepower and 646 lb.-ft. of torque. Using a special boost called Velocity Max, the Celestiq will do zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Not quite Corvette ZR1X numbers but impressive. With a Cadillac-estimated 303 miles of battery range, CELESTIQ provides refined, comfortable driving on back roads and superhighway trips alike. Don’t expect to see many of the ultra-luxury vehicles. They will all be built by hand so very few will be assembled each year. 

Cadillac’s Futuristic Vision

When the CELESTIQ was announced nearly three years ago, John Roth, vice president of Global Cadillac said “Each vehicle will be a one-of-one work of art built around the most advanced technology that we have ever engineered into an automobile.”

Each CELESTIQ is commissioned. The buyer works with a Cadillac concierge and a Cadillac designer. Each concierge has a design background ensuring they are equipped to handle each client’s individual desires and requirements. 

CELESTIQ’s State-of-the-Art Engineering 

CELESTIQ’s propulsion is based on a 111-kWh battery pack and a two-motor, all-wheel-drive system. CELESTIQ has all of Cadillac’s latest technology. It includes Adaptive Air Ride suspension, Active Rear Steering, Magnetic Ride Control and Active Roll Control. CELESTIQ is designed to deliver exceptional interior comfort and roominess while performing and handling like a much smaller vehicle.

Much of the CELESTIQ is 3D printed metal. 3D printing makes the CELESTQ even more customizable. Each vehicle has more than 130 parts produced with 3D. The use of this technology produces several important CELESTIQ design elements, such as the steering wheel center, which represents GM’s largest 3D printed production metal part to date.

The charging port is surrounded by a ring of light that responds when the CELESTIQ is plugged in for charging. Visual cues indicate the state of charge, including the exterior corner lamps and the emblem above the charging port.

Carbon fiber is used extensively on the exterior. Carbon fiber allows designers to create distinctive forms not possible with traditional metal body panels. The visible metallic finish surfaces are real metal, including the aluminum grille header, rockers, taillamp and headlamp accents, eTrunk trim, and rear cargo area trim. 

You will notice that there are no door handles. The owner can open and close the power doors simply by pressing a button. 

The CELESTIQ’s Interior is Finely Crafted

The interior lighting is fundamental to CELESTIQ, featuring more than 450 distinct LEDs. Buyers can personalize their color selections for each interior lighting zone.

Many of the metal elements throughout CELESTIQ require  finish work such as fine milling, anodization and a final polishing by hand, reflecting the high level of detail that goes into each handcrafted vehicle. CELESTIQ leather surfaces are made with premium leather wrapped by artisans.

The owner chooses all the colors, materials, and finishes, including the opportunity to develop new colors or paint to match in collaboration with the Cadillac design team. This enables a countless number of choices, ensuring each vehicle will be a truly one-off creation.

Each CELESTIQ offers an endless range of exterior and interior colors, materials and finishes allowing buyers to design a truly unique vehicle.

CELESTIQ’s Technology

The CELESTIQ has five high-definition displays including:

• Pillar-to-pillar, 55-inch-diagonal advanced HD display
• Front console mounted 11-inch-diagonal touchscreen
• Rear console mounted 8-inch-diagonal touchscreen, which allow clients to control many features within the vehicle such as the seating positions, cabin temperature, door opening and closing, and tinting the all-glass roof panel
• Two rear passenger 12.6-inch-diagonal advanced displays mounted on the front seatbacks

Other highlights include:

• Fixed smart glass roof: The all-glass roof panel employs special technology allowing the driver to control the amount of light allowed into the vehicle in four zones — one for each passenger area.
• Standard Super Cruise
• Remote Auto Parking. When activated, it allows the vehicle to detect a parallel or perpendicular parking space and guide itself into the space. The vehicle will shift gears, brake and steer itself, as needed.
• CELESTIQ offers 42-speakers, including four exterior speakers. 

These are the sorts of vehicles that you hardly ever see. They may show up at special car events. If you find out who has the first one, we’d all love to know!

Cadillac Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.