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The big surprise of Pebble Beach might be this concept you see right here. The Cadillac Elmiraj is intended to preview a possible Cadillac flagship, while drawing on past models like the 1967 Eldorado.
Sporting a 4.5L twin-turbo V8 making 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque, the Elmiraj also wears 22-inch wheels and monobloc brake calipers. The 2+2 layout harkens back to the coupes of yesteryear, but the rest of the interior is decidedly modern, with Brazilian rosewood featuring prominently throughout the cabin. Outside, the VSport badge from the CTS is present, but the wreath appears to be gone from the Cadillac badge.
77 Comments on “Cadillac Elmiraj Previews Future Flagship...”
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Is that a new shield logo on the grill?
Yes, Caddy is updating their logo and this concept is the first to showcase it.
No, dislike. Needs crest.
That’s actually a legit looking flagship/halo Cadillac. Personally I’m glad they ditched the wreath in the crest because it looks completely out of place with the rest of the a+s design.
I could see a stylized “V” device but all this is nitpicking.
The biggest problem is that they showed some real prescience in choosing the name Elmiraj because from a distance this thing looks amazing and befitting whatever baller-class price tag they’ll put on it. Unfortunately much like a mirage when you finally get there you’ll probably find it looks a lot different.
Fit, quality and cost cutting will probably have worked their magic as tends to happen at GM.
I hope it’s not true because it looks quite nice sitting there all new and shiny and without any real world mileage applied to it.
Nice to see A+S evolve.
Now let’s see something in production.
Build it! Seriously gorgeous car, and if the engineers put the effort into it as per the ATS, that will be the next ride for Mrs. Monty. The Art & Science look has evolved into a timeless appearance with this iteration.
I second the notion. The second I saw the first pic I was like… too bad about the Ciel… but BUILD THIS THING!!
This actually looks producable. As attractive as the Ciel was, I had a feeling that it was very much a one off concept and there was no way it could be produced. This however, looks very close to an actual production model.
Not an attractive car at all. Did they put the Cadillac treatment to the Camaro architecture?
The Cadillac signature design seems to be getting tired.
Now that you mention it, from the high profile shot, that’s exactly how it appears.
But I have to say that I personally love it.
Agreed, dwight. This car does not look good. It makes me think of new money, i.e., having enough money to buy something that looks expensive & exotic but lacking good taste and an eye for style.
At last, a Caddy that’s beautifully formed.
Could be their first home run in decades.
What’s with that name, Elmer? No doubt the dealer-inspired Fudd edition comes w/ a vinyl top.
Other than that name, superlative looks. It has gravitas.
It’s Elvira, you know, mistress of the night… Yeah, that name has got to go
At least they’re heading in the right direction – an actual name and not a bunch of meaningless letters/numbers.
American cars must have names. The letters/numbers combos work for the Germans but that’s about it.
Acura, hello? The next gen RL must be a proper LEGEND. In all respects.
This is a concept, so don’t expect the name to stick. If they build a production version, expect it to have the same alphabet soup like their others.
The name is supposed to be a reference to the El Mirage dry lake in California, where high speed runs have been done for a century.
Cadillac has this weird convention of giving concept cars names, albeit oddly spelled, while using alphanumerics for their production carg.
It’s not just Cadillac, Maserati Ghibli is just as bad and it means “hot air” which doesn’t exactly make me think of something exotic or sporty
Elmiraj sounds like a UAE hotel chain. I hate it.
It does sound just a stone’s throw from “Cadillac Burjdubai”, doesn’t it?
The name sounds like they started with “El Mirage”, to stay in line with “El Dorado”, but then decided to muddy it up to avoid lawsuits from Mitsubishi.
This is nice, a personal luxury coupe… tough segment except at the high end
…with that kodo nose, they may as well have called it the cadillac seis…
…oh are you…sure you don’t…have more to say?… Your constant ellipses indicate… that you’re leaving out words.
Holy mackerel – I see a beautiful car that doesn’t look like another Sonata!
Now THAT’s more like it, and what we’ve been waiting for from GM and Cadillac for a very long, long time!
Build it, build it, BUILD IT!
If and when they do, I’ll wish I could buy one…
Zackman – I know why you’re excited – it even looks like a 2-door hardtop, but I’ll bet the back windows don’t roll down
It’s interesting that the Art&Science look is being softened slightly. I recall a recent article here on TTAC that mentioned that the Chinese market wasn’t entirely enthused with the more edgier A&S look, so the Elmiraj is probably a sign that the next gen Cadillac range will get a bit curvier.
I think the Elmiraj and the Ciel are beautiful, just a shame we will get a sedan version in 2015 instead.
I don’t see anything 1967 here. That interior isn’t awe inspiring either.
Tons of backseat legroom too! Just make it a two seater already. The Sixteen concept was so much better looking.
Check this picture and you’ll see it quite clearly in the rear end treatment.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7513945722_8a21e8b67f_z.jpg
The ’67 Eldo was one of the best looking Caddies ever.
This is a good video…
I tried… http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ec4SsKL3byI
Dear God: I want one.
I would love to see Cadillac building:
a) this car
b) the Ciel
c) the Sixteen, V16 included
Oh hell yes, that there is sex on wheels. Twin Tubro V8? Yes please. I still like the Caddy logo with the wreath, but I guess you can’t have everything.
Cadillac needs this car in showrooms, now.
With this on the lots, GM could reintroduce those “We win-simple as that!” ads that Ed Whitacre did a few years ago. Hell, Akerson could walk into the frame with the car, get in, start it up and say that line again, and then just drive off.
Doing a donut while yelling “We done tole you, sonsabitches!” out the window while the opening chords of Long, Cool Woman play in the background may be a bit much, but Camaro and Silverado sales would spike as a result.
“How did you come up with the name”
“Well, I was walking along in a Southern Tier town in NY, when I looked down at the sidewalk and noticed a half-smoked marijuana cigarette, which reminded me of the days when we first came up with the Art&Science design theme. We expect the Elmira J to break new ground for this company, all thanks to a fortuitous encounter with some stale, dank schwag I almost stepped on that night while walking back to La Quinta.”
Was this before or after s/he ate a spiedie?
Elmiraj = el Mirage, from Gran Turismo?
That is the first Cadillac I could see sitting in the driveway of McMansion row in a long time…Out with the Jag, in with this. Ditch the name, and a bit more greenhouse glass…but wow that is sweeet!!
I think you’ll find this CADILLAC isn’t as elegant as THE JAGUAR XJ-L.
…and go whiners complaining about lack of two more doors.
What is wrong with the name “Eldorado”?
They need to work more on the roof. Looks like it don’t work with the rest of the body. Looks like a hard top for a convertible. Otherwise, this looks mint.
Maybe there’s a soft-top in the not-to-distant future?
No, but a dealer in Florida would love to give it a vinyl roof for an extra $3,000.
Now, THAT’S a Cadillac! Build it–I already have aspirations!
You mirror my thoughts, that’s the closest thing I’ve seen to a Cadillac in at least a decade. Slide in the “V” under the shield, delete the 40in wheels, and we have a winner. Just hope I can see out of it…
The “V” is subtly embedded everywhere in the design: lower edge of the grille and boot lid, upped contour of both boot lid and bonnet.
Same happens with the Sixteen. I bought my son the Hotwheels version and is there in all its glory.
CIEL > EL MIRAJ
But both of these cars taken together showcase some of the nicest ORIGINAL automotive design from any major OEM in recent years.
I really really hope the new Escalade gets a variation of the Headlight/Grillwork seen on these 2 concepts…. Look at both the CIEL and this EL MIRAJ dead-on and you just see what I think is the perfect design from the A pillar forward… just love it
Does anyone here ACTUALLY think GM will bring something like this to market? You must be the same bunch who put deposits down on the ‘Ciel’. How’s that working for you?
There is no way on earth a schlepp like Akerson will ever give the go ahead for either vehicle. He wants to sell as many beige Malibu’s as he can.
Quality, style and taste are no part of his experience, so why would anyone expect that he could even recognize it when it stood in front of him?
Download the wallpaper folks, it’s all you’re gonna get.
Yeah, this one I think will actually be a go. Not a convertible and no suicide doors which is always the big red flag that says “This ain’t ever gonna happen”
All I need to know was “205 inches long.”
This car looks great, and it’s all down to that classic big car size. Cadillac details look much better on bigger cars than on smaller ones.
The interior probably won’t make it, but this is a car to take Cadillac further up the food chain. With rear drive and a really good engine, even the new ‘vette engine, an 8 speed trans and a proper interior and this could lure some away from a MB CL or BMW 6 Series. Overall, it is, IMHO, a stunning car.
I like the way they raised the edges of the hood to clear the push-rods.
Those seats give armadillos a run for their money. It looks like the headliner is wood, also.
So I like the design, but really think it needs the crest. From a distance the badge is too easily confused with a Chevy gold bowtie. The derivative ElDorado styling is great, and you can definitely see it in there.
Of course they’ll end up making it FWD on an Impala platform, and priced at $90K. Then they’ll design it here and build it in Italy, then ship it back. Sat nav will be optional, Bluetooth and floor mats an extra $450. I’d love to have high hopes, but this is what Cadillac DOES when it has a promising concept/2+2/convertible/something cool.
I thought the headliner was leather or leatherette. Interesting choice whether wood or the latter. Always wondered why mouse fur or the other stuff they use is standard for headliners. Spills that hit them are hard to get out.
I prefer a nice Alcantara headliner or other suede.
Looks a lot like a Ciel with a hardtop instead of a convertible.
Why not build both, on the same platform?
I can definitely see people queuing up for either or both …
D
jesus that thing is stunning. I hope our customers that love their benz s coupes and bentley continentals swap them out for that. I think it puts them to shame as far as looks go. If I opened a hangar and saw one sitting in there I’d probably have to change pants. Well done Cadillac. Love the look, love the fact that it has a real name instead of just letters, just love it. I wonder what the story is on that engine? Does this mean that V8’s once again will have a future under the hood of non v Cadillac cars?
Cadillac sure knows how to make a great concept car. Their interior styling is unmatched by their direct competitors in my opinion. I just wish I could see some real photos of it instead of the overly touched up concept shots. Its nice to see them get away from the standard gear selector too.
“Sporting a 4.5L twin-turbo V8”
So where did this engine come from? I have extreme doubts they would use an OHV set-up.
Some other places remarked that it was based on the new 3.6L LF3 V6.
So did GM add two cylinders to the existing V6 and make a 60-degree V8? Like the old 3.4L SHO V8?
You probably mean “OHC”, the keys are right next to each other. Pushrod engines are OHV too.
I mean I doubt they are would use a cam-in-block engine in this car. So, I expect no pushrods. I’ve seen nothing to indicate this concept has pushrods either.
However, GM doesn’t have a SOHC or DOHC V8 engine family right now. So where did this V8 come from?
I thinks it’s beautiful and more importantly from the rear quarter view it looks like an expensive car. Not copying an expensive car but a new direction for high end cars.
“Ultra V8 is dead. If GM does a DOHC V8, it will be based on the current small block engine architecture.” I won’t divulge the source, but he certainly knows the plan.
Designs were well along in development before I retired in 2008, and you ain’t seen nothing yet as far as power capability, btw!
The LT1 block is easily compatible with OHC valve train designs.
“The LT1 block is easily compatible with OHC valve train designs.”
Well, I hope they learned some lessons from the LQ1.
Do you happen to know where the engine in this concept came from? Is it 60-degree or 90-degree?
There’s still a lot of Lumina Z34s and Euro 3.4s left, so clearly the LQ1 wasn’t THAT terrible.
@ajla- Sorry, I have no idea what is in the concept.
As for the LQ1, let me get my Oldsmobile/BOC Powertrain Lansing chauvinism out of the way- Our HO Q4 in the W cars blew them away!
LQ1 was a very low investment effort to get DOHC product. The W car actually had a smaller engine compartment at the time than the N car, driving huge compromise in intake design which seriously deteriorated its power capability.
It is not that engineering didn’t know how to do better, so much as the funds to tool a clean sheet engine or vehicle engine compartment were not available. I recall discussion about how Honda was an engine company first, and would not let vehicle packaging dictate engine design, but more less, vice versa. Of course, I was part of an engine team!
There was a lot of learning going on in those days, relative to long term dependability! I was not in the 60 deg V6 team, and don’t know the engine’s weakness, other than the breathing issue. I will add, my service friends say to avoid them.
The pushrod 60V6s have always suffered from awful intake and head designs drastically limiting power in favor of easy packaging…the final 3100 had a “big port” intake like the 3400 and still couldn’t manage 200 horsepower. I’d rather have a Quad 4 N-body, the Quad 4 has rather incredible power potential.
Yes, the Quad 4 architecture demonstrated capability over 1,200 HP from 2.0L. Feuling Engineering claimed it was the highest specific output (10 HP/Cubic inch) ever achieved.
I believe the Olds Aerotech still holds the informal “closed course” speed record of 257 MPH set in 1987.
More down to earth, boosted stock Q4’s achieved over 200 MPH in N cars with stock transmissions and drive axles!
The Ecotec is Q4’s off-spring and has even more power potential, in stock configuration as opposed to the purpose built aerotech engines.
Buen Dr, I remember when we fixed the gearbox in my Isuzu Impulse with the guts from the one of a 2.2 Cavalier. I could do 80 mph at 3K rpm after that.
Overkill (for 130HP) is the only way I can describe it. Same goes for the drive shafts.
Very well designed FWD system, I never experienced torque steer with that car.
A must build for Cadillac since the only larger luxury coupes available are the Benz CL’s,BMW 6-Series and Bentley Continential all of which are well into the low 100k range in the case of the Bentley 200k range. I’m sure this will come in well below those. Sadly Lincoln has not had a large coupe since the Mark VIII was phased out in 1998.
Looks a lot like the coupe version of Vladimir Putin’s new ride.
I guess the cold war really is over when the Russian and USA concepts are similar.
I just pre-ordered one in that exact same color combo. Screw you C-7 gold chainers….
Can a coupe be a “flagship”? I’ll go for calling it a halo model, but a flagship needs to be a top-of-the-line, aspire-to sedan/hardtop.
What’s the Corvette, flagship or halo? I’ll guess halo, so yeah, I think you’re right
New 5-point grill is like a really sharp Mazda 6… back end from top has Camaro characteristics. Really like it!
It’d probably cost more than a Camry while delivering inferior fuel economy and terrible access/egress for the rear seat.
Lose/lose/lose
I don’t see what’s so hard about reviewing cars.
Lets see. Take an Audi A5. Slap on a Mazda front end. Let Lincon do the back. Give it cheap fake vents and chrome. Done.
That car is the sex… love it. But does GM have the balls to build it?