Cadillac has unveiled the CELESTIQ electric vehicle (EV), an ultra-luxury ride poised to be the brand’s new electric flagship.

The 2024 Cadillac CELESTIQ is a four-door, battery-electric car that is to be custom built per customer, commanding an MSRP “north of $300,000” and increasing as each unit is customized. Being the brand’s self-proclaimed reestablishment as “the Standard of the World” means it packs all the elegant design, affluent accouterments and high-tech necessities to set a new benchmark for the automaker.

And, according to Cadillac, no two models will be alike, as prospective buyers will work directly with their dealer and Cadillac designers to create their own CELESTIQ dream car. Each one will be handcrafted, a further reminder of the automaker’s coachbuilding days of yore. That being said, each unit will share at least one component: GM’s Ultium platform, designed for the brand’s battery-electric future.

This means the CELESTIQ will come packaged with a 111 kilowatt hour battery pack, feeding two electric motors for all-wheel drive delivery. Currently, system output is estimated to be 600 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, capable of driving more than 300 miles on a full charge. A 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds is expected– plenty quick, as is the onboard 200 kilowatt DC fast charging system, capable of recouping 78 miles of range in 10 minutes. Adaptive air suspension, active rear steering and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 will allow the CELESTIQ to float down the highway.

The design is bold, taking bits from Cadillac lineage and updating them to the modern times in its slick fastback profile. The front grille features vertical lightning signatures similar to what we experienced in the LYRIQ electric utility. All exterior metal is real, from the aluminum grille and brushed bodysides, to the rockers and light fixture trims. There are no door handles for one (or their chauffeur) to grab; each door is operated electronically by buttons.

The large glass roof uses “Suspended Particle Device Technology” to limit how much light is let through to the cabin, working in tandem with ambient lighting systems to create a unique sensory experience. As flashy as it all may be, the CELESTIQ boasts a relatively minimalist vibe; however, technology is anything but minimal, headlined by the pillar-to-pillar 55-inch display, utilizing two separate screens under a single pane of glass. A “Digital Blinds Active Privacy” system will allow the passenger screen to dim from the driver’s view. Not enough? The center console mounts an 11-inch touchscreen upfront and an 8-inch display in the rear for second row occupants, who may also utilize the 12.6-inch screens mounted on the front seat backs.

The 2024 Cadillac CELESTIQ serves as another stepping stone for the automaker’s 2030 goal of being all-electric, albeit a quite costly one. Production is expected to begin in December 2023. This is just a small precursor to what the CALESTIQ is bringing to the table, and we can’t wait to share more with you on MotorWeek!