Pebble Beach: Cadillac reveals Ciel four-door convertible concept

Eldorado. De Ville. Cadillac convertibles once meant something. And with a concept revealed on Thursday evening ahead of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the brand that once purported to be the "Standard of the World" is again signaling its intention to retake that mantle of sport and luxury.

Called the Ciel, or pronounced CL, which translates from French as “sky,” the four-seat, four-door concept is an open-air demonstration with rear-hinged rear doors, a hybrid driveline and 425 hp from a twin-turbo V6 engine that displaces 3.6 liters.

The car is said to summon great grand tourers from Caddy's past and rolls on 22-inch wheels. The front is marked by prominent vertical lights enhanced with LEDs, and the Ciel is a foot longer in wheelbase than the CTS sedan.

The Ciel follows in the lineage of striking Cadillac concepts, including the Sixteen, and more recently the Provoq and the Converj. Caddy has not had a convertible since the Corvette-based XLR ended production.

The Ciel has a detailed interior, with olive wood, leather and nickel-plated trim. There's a floating center console, hidden air vents and ambient lighting.

The driveline also uses a power-assisted transmission and lithium-ion technology and is said to have a low-speed all-electric drive capability. Torque is rated at 430 lb-ft.

The concept was designed in Cadillac's north Hollywood design studio.

“Large, expressive luxury is innate to Cadillac, and the Ciel recalls that heritage while suggesting where the brand can go in the future,” said Clay Dean, global design director for Cadillac. “Authentic luxury is driven by experiences, not just products, and Ciel is about the experience of the journey."

By Greg Migliore