Cadillac's Hypercar Ambition: Will GM's Luxury Division Finally Break Into The Supercar Arena?
Cadillac, the cornerstone of American luxury automotive engineering, has a storied history of creating jaw-dropping concept cars that never quite make it to production. Take, for instance, the 2002 Cien concept—a mid-engine marvel powered by a potent V-12. Although it never saw the light of showrooms, General Motors' (GM) high-end brand hasn't shelved its ambitions of producing a supercar or even a hypercar. Michael Simcoe, GM’s design head, has been vocal about his eagerness to launch a flagship performance model that could compete with the world's elites.
In a recent interview with Carsales, an Australian magazine, Simcoe tantalized automotive enthusiasts by confirming the brand's capacity and desire to build a hypercar. When posed the question, he responded, 'Could we build a hypercar? Yes. Would we like to build one? Yes. Are we building one? That would be giving too much away.' While it remains uncertain if this hypothetical car will feature a fully electric powertrain, the possibility hasn't been ruled out.
Keeping the internal combustion engine (ICE) alive makes strategic sense, especially considering Cadillac's ongoing commitment to motorsports, evidenced by their V-Series.R race car that features a robust V-8 engine. Additionally, Cadillac's joint venture with Andretti for a bid into Formula 1 hints at the incorporation of a V-6. Andretti Cadillac, having failed to secure a spot in the 2025 F1 season, is now aiming for a 2026 launch to coincide with new engine regulations mandating the use of sustainable fuels. It's noteworthy that GM won’t produce its own power units until 2028, implying that they’ll initially rely on an external engine supplier.
The concept of a Cadillac hypercar isn't as far-fetched as it might seem, given the brand’s history with extravagant prototypes. Beyond the Cien, Cadillac also introduced the 2003 Sixteen, which came with a colossal V-16 engine. If Ford can successfully market and sell the $325,000 Mustang GTD, why shouldn’t Cadillac venture into this lucrative segment? While the Mustang GTD may not touch hypercar status, Ford’s six-figure GT did, and it found eager buyers. The market for high-performance, high-ticket vehicles is viable, and Cadillac’s foray could be timely.
In another chat with CarExpert, Simcoe touched on the broader market trends, particularly focusing on the dominance of SUVs. He referred to them as a 'necessary evil,' conceding that their rise is driven by an 'everybody-else-is-doing-it' mentality. 'They've taken over the market because as the world around you starts to grow, you want to be part of it as well,' he explained. 'Everybody else is sitting higher in vehicles, you've got to do it too. It’s a comfortable, rational purchase.'
Despite the ongoing SUV craze, Cadillac isn’t abandoning its sedans. Simcoe confirmed that a new sedan model is slated for launch in the future, joining the luxury echelon alongside the $340,000 Celestiq. While the Celestiq is technically an oversized liftback with a practical tailgate, it represents Cadillac’s commitment to elegance and refinement. Currently, the U.S. market only gets the CT4, CT5, and the Celestiq, but in China, the sedan body style still thrives, exemplified by models like the CT6. Even GM’s Buick division offers sedans like the LaCrosse, Regal, and Verano, albeit not in the U.S.