Cadillac Ciel Concept cruises in to Pebble Beach

Cadillac Ciel Concept - sybaritic style for Californians

It’s not hard to tell the General Motors has found its Mojo again after losing it to Uncle Sam; all you need to do is take one look at the Cadillac Ciel Concept that’s turned up at Pebble Beach this weekend, probably the boldest Cadillac Concept since the Cadillac Sixteen.

The Cadillac Ciel is a big, impressive four-seat convertible designed to epitomise the American Dream, as it cruises along the Pacific Coast Highway, cosseting its occupants in sybaritic style.

But this is 2011, so there’s a nod to the eco-sensibilities car makers feel the need to embrace. So instead of a big V8 (or even the V16 the Cadiallac Sixteen had), the Cadiallac Ciel (it means Sky – yes, Cadillac has discovered there’s a world outside the USofA, and it has another language) sports a more modest 3,6 litre twin turbo.

But to make sure the 3.6 twin-turbo V6 can do its job with alacrity, Cadillac has fitted a hybrid setup with lithium-ion batteries, which should provide a power boost, a green halo and the ability to move three feet on electric power.  Although there’s absolutely no detail on offer.

The Ciel is a more fluid shape than Cadillac’s current design motif – which is more about jarring angles and aggression – and it looks as though it may be pointing the way to the next generation of Cadillacs. There’s lots of concept glory going, on with huge wheels and suicide doors, but it’s an impressive bit of kit.

The impressive stuff continues in the cabin with see-through guages and a floating centre console and an inductive charging pad atop the dash for dropping smart devices on.

Passengers are cosseted in individual bucket seats and can indulge in individual pull-out blankets, aromatherapy controls, and dip in to their own little (or not so little) drawer containing sun glasses, a towel and sunscreen. This is a car made for one reason only; to indulge Californians.

A narrow market demographic, but an impressive concept, nonetheless.

(11 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK