2011 Cadillac Ciel 4-door Convertible Concept ~ Auto Car

GM's Cadillac division is on a roll lately. After confirming the production of three new cars including the XTS large luxury saloon, the BMW 3-Series rivaling ATS compact sports sedan, and the ELR Coupe plug-in hybrid EV, Cadillac revealed an impressive new concept model called Ciel that looks into the future but winks at the past. Named after the French word for sky, the Ciel is a large (5.174 mm or 203.7-in. in length) four-seat, four-door convertible with �suicide� rear doors and no B-pillar reminiscent of the 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible. �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.�

The Ciel was developed at GM�s North Hollywood Design Center, with Niki Smart as the lead exterior designer and Gael Buzyn responsible for interior development. A wheelbase of 3,175 mm (125 inches) provides ample space for the passengers. Buzyn, who opted for the use of Italian olive wood, machined aluminum and hand-crafted leather with warm colors to dress the cabin, sharesThe all-wheel drive concept is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the company�s direct injection 3.6-liter V6 and an electric motor using a lithium-ion battery pack. The system's combined output reaches 425HP and 583 Nm (430 lb-ft) of peak torque, making the Ciel not just a looker, but also a performer.