The Cadillac Elmiraj Concept is all the rage in the automotive world and for good reason. It is essentially a two-door version of the absolutely stunning Cadillac Ciel. The car is built on new lightweight rear-drive architecture. The underpinnings may be lightweight, but the power is not. The Cadillac Elmiraj is endowed with a 4.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 with an estimated 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque.
Twenty-two-inch wheels, serving tray sized ceramic brakes with Hulk- grip calipers and a substantial front grille that highlights the graceful but assertive styling round out the package and make for absolutely incredible photos.
Inside, there has been just as much attention paid. Luxury was the priority and it shows. Leather covers almost every inch of the 2+2 seating area. That which is not covered in leather is handsomely bathed in wood and trimmed in chrome. Let’s just say that the Elmiraj and Ciel tell the world that Cadillac is here to make a statement: “BMW, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz, were comin’ after you!”
However, after all the fanfare and press surrounding the Elmiraj, I was sorely disappointed when I saw a new XTS float past me in downtown Chicago. This car had all the luxury features one could ask for and an all-wheel drive system that seems to be able to change the rotation of the earth. After seeing the two latest concepts from Cadillac, I can’t help but think that compared to them, the XTS is a plain-Jane car.
No, I am not criticizing the XTS. It’s a fine car, but lacks the pizzazz of the cars at Pebble Beach. Now, for the second year in a row, Cadillac has pulled the Biblical switch on us. We are given a glimpse of Rachel, but only allowed to marry Leah. Leah is a fine girl and all, but she ain’t no Rachel – if you know what I mean.
With the Ciel and Elmiraj, I saw a revival of the old Coupe de Ville and Sedan de Ville models that America fell in love with. I saw beautiful lines and smooth sides set atop fat, full wheel wells and a roofline that could only be bested by Michelangelo.
Why won’t Cadillac build this car? As usual, they will flaunt these cars in our faces, tell us that they hint at future styling and technology, and then send a press statement saying they will never build it. They will once again leave us to pant after the hottie while hitching us to the “nice girl” (or guy). This is the gripe I have with automakers that go all-out to design a drop-dead gorgeous car that makes us drool over the pictures, only to tote around from show to show (Subaru, can you hear me?). If you’re going to design a car this pretty, don’t you think we would buy it?
All they have to do is slap a roof on a Ciel and build the Elmiraj as-is and you have your stylish alternative to the S-Class and CL-Class, a rival to the 6-Series, 7-Series (and possible 8-Series) and a challenger to the XK and XJ. Has Cadillac, once again tempted me to render my time and precious writing space expounding on the power and luxury of a car that will never be? I hope you hear this Mr. Welburn, Mr. Carfaro and Mr. Akerson. I have a bone to pick with you and so do the many buyers who either bought an XTS or plan to buy one. You are pulling another side show act like you did with the Cadillac Sixteen. I will keep the new Elmiraj Concept as the wallpaper on my iPad, Desktop, Laptop and phone, but I’m warning you: if you don’t build it, or at least try, I am replacing it with a Jaguar – or a puppy.
Cadillac Elmiraj Concept Gallery
Source: Cadillac
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