Automotive News: Cadillac reveals Elevated Velocity crossover concept

Cadillac’s concept portfolio evolves with the introduction of the all-electric, high-performance crossover, Elevated Velocity. The Elevated Velocity concept channels the essence of Cadillac’s V-Series into a bold 2+2 crossover designed to exhilarate on-road and off-grid alike, while foreshadowing potential future Cadillac design cues.

Rear ¾ view of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept in Vapor Blue with the driver-side gull-wing door open and the desert in the background.

Performance legacy meets the future of electric ultra-luxury

The electric high-performance luxury crossover segment continues to grow, and Cadillac recently introduced the LYRIQ-V and OPTIQ-V to meet the demand. The Elevated Velocity concept is a continuation of what the winning formula of Cadillac V-Series performance could look like in the future.

The concept features a potent blend of extreme performance, cutting-edge advanced technologies, and signature bespoke luxury craftsmanship. It showcases dual experiences with stunning looks and a refined interior that elevates the state-of-being for occupants (thus, Elevated), yet its lifted platform is calibrated for daring off-road performance in the most extreme desert locales (ergo, Velocity).

Right side profile view of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept in Vapor Blue with the gull-wing doors open and the desert in the background.

Cutting edge yet purposeful tech

Infused with technology that enables owners to roam without bounds, Elevated Velocity explores the artful integration of technology and design. This is exemplified by the various selectable user experience modes presented in the concept.

Welcome Mode greets the driver – the vehicle floor, seats, instrument panel, doors and steering wheel illuminate in a soft white upon approach, while the dramatic exterior gull-wing doors lift skyward, inviting the occupants into the vehicle. A welcome animation on the steering wheel is reminiscent of shifting desert sand, while the Cadillac wordmark and V-Series logo illuminates on the dashboard endcaps.
Elevate Mode is engaged by the driver. When engaged, Elevated Velocity becomes autonomous and the interior transforms into a recovery space for occupants. In Elevate Mode, the pedals and steering wheel retract, while the outside temperature, the driver’s body temperature and the cabin temperature are displayed to help optimize performance. Interior ambient lighting shifts to red, while the seatback lighting features infrared light to promote the optimal performance of the concept’s occupants. Doors are backlit to synchronize breathing and movement, furthering the emphasis on recovery. Above the steering column, a light moves forward and rearwards to aid in breathwork in conjunction with an animation displayed on the cowl to help the occupants get into the headspace for performance.
Velocity Mode is engaged by the driver. When engaged, the interior lighting features cool white tones that evoke a sense of exhilaration. Door interiors are backlit, while white floor lighting dims to aid the driver in focusing on the road ahead and the deployable steering wheel displays speed, time, battery health and temperature and AR HUD navigation on the cowl display. In Velocity mode, the cockpit is the focus.
Interior view of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept.

Peak EV performance for high-speed terrain

Elevated Velocity embodies Cadillac’s V-Series performance and “Art of Exhilaration” design philosophy. It was designed with selectable driving modes that enable peak EV performance on any terrain and the maximum thrill of a Hypercar. Its lifted yet elegant design, riding on 24-inch wheels, enables occupants to chart the most challenging terrains, while providing a refined and luxurious on-road driving experience.

Elevated Velocity’s selectable drive modes unlock the ability for drivers to experience precision on-road and power off-road, while a dual-mode drive adapts instantly to terrain and intent:

e-Velocity Mode is ideal for intense on-road driving. It’s an evolution of Cadillac’s heart-pounding V-Mode found in V-Series vehicles today.
Terra Mode enables peak off-road performance, activating air suspension.
Sand Vision is a feature similar to Cadillac’s existing Night Vision technology, which enables the driver to achieve better visibility in a sandstorm.
Elements Defy is a practical feature that keeps the exterior of Elevated Velocity clean of external elements and debris such as dust, sand, and dirt via a dust-phobic vibration, ensuring the vehicle arrives in pristine condition.

Head on view of the rear of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept in Vapor Blue with the desert in the background.

An exterior designed for bold elegance

On the exterior, Elevated Velocity balances capability with deliberate grace, whether an on-road jaunt or a challenging desert landscape. Elevated Velocity’s sleek profile optimizes aerodynamic efficiency, while its dramatic proportions and planted stance render a commanding presence.

Elevated Velocity continues the elegant proportions Cadillac established with CELESTIQ and LYRIQ, such as its stretched hood, while pushing the brand’s design language forward. The concept explores a sculptural and technical balance that could serve as inspiration for potential future Cadillac production vehicles.

The exterior expresses a sculptural prestige with an emphasis on speed integrating an efficient 2+2 cabin. It features a Vapor Blue exterior with undertones of flinty grey inspired by glacial ice, contrasting with the fiery red interior and further exemplifying the extreme performance nature of the concept. The blue storyline continues to the front and rear windshields and side glass, which sport a blue tint.

Designed for easy entry and exit, gull-wing doors invite occupants into the vehicle, while the wheels feature a blend of flax fiber and black crystal tint acrylic. Cadillac’s signature Precision pattern is detailed throughout the concept.

Additionally, the concept features a reimagination of Cadillac’s signature lighting choreography to complement the vehicle’s lifted stance, including elegantly fluted translucent front lighting, and rear vertical lighting with a unique light tunnel.

An elevated cabin experience

Interior view of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept with a focus on the 2+2 seating configuration.

Elevated Velocity’s cabin is thoughtfully equipped with elegant, purposeful features that enable an uncompromised lifestyle, equally refined and luxurious yet functional for all-road pursuits.

Elevated Velocity was designed to elevate the state-of-being for its occupants. The colors, materials, and finishes in the cabin were intentionally selected for their aspirational form yet maximal functionality, contributing to the optimized occupant experience.

The interior features layers of materials ranging from smooth wrapped surfaces, embossed grains, boucle fabric, tinted acrylic and glass, representing Elevated Velocity’s extreme capabilities with inspiration from desert polo pursuits.

The cabin is outfitted in shades of deep red with brushed metal accents, suggesting the feeling of energy and movement:

Morello Red: a deep red leather with smooth Fine Nappa grain outfitting the headliner/pillars, door uppers, seat cushions, rear compartment, cabin and cargo floor
Cerise: a sleek red fabric wrapping around the vehicle’s interior from the doors to behind the instrument panel, and behind the rear seats, creating a full ring of the material. The doors feature a unique 3D printed pattern in black crystal inspired by the dynamic action of desert polo – the clashing of mallets or motion of the horse’s hooves as they sprint across a field of shifting sand.
Garnet: a red boucle fabric that adorns the seat uppers, door armrests, console armrest, and instrument panel

Interior view of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept, with a focus on the passenger side door panel materials.

When Elevate mode is selected, a variety of in-cabin experiences are engaged:

Interior cabin filtration pulls dust particles out of the cabin air to keep the interior pristine
“Extreme climatization” compensates for dry air, sudden and extreme temperature shifts, and altitude changes
Air purification and air fragrance keeps occupants looking and feeling refreshed
Integrated red light therapy helps occupants recover from vigorous pursuits

The well-appointed cabin features a vault locked compartment for critical items and the storage space required for an adrenaline-seeking lifestyle, illustrated by the bespoke polo set in the rear of the concept. The hand-crafted polo set echoes the aesthetic of Elevated Velocity, with the case reflecting the concept’s Vapor Blue exterior color. The polo helmet, gloves, kneepads and mallet are crafted in Morello red and feature Cadillac wordmarks, crests, and interpretations of the Cadillac precision pattern.

View of the bespoke polo set in the rear of the Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept.

The Elevated Velocity concept will be on display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California on August 15, 2025.

AutoRacing1.com Verdict

Hopefully this concept never sees the light of day. It’s another Cadillac EV which very few buyers want, the interior is totally non-functional and ugly, and the exterior is out of proportion, rear visibility is almost nonexistent; and it is a vehicle no one needs.