New Cadillac Sollei is glamorous electric drop-top made using mushrooms

Designed as the ‘ultimate expression of a coach-built luxury electric convertible’, the Sollei concept previews innovative renewable materials and 1950s-inspired styling. Is this Cadillac’s answer to the Rolls-Royce Spectre?

First things first: the name. Despite how it reads, Sollei bears no relation to the famous Canadian circus extravaganza, though pulling up in this outlandish machine is sure to elicit equally incredulous expressions from onlookers. The Cadillac’s title is actually an amalgamation of the words sol (sun) and lei (leisure) – fitting, as the Sollei concept is predicated on “a leisurely, open-air lifestyle”.

In true Caddy coupe fashion, it’s also rather enormous. Though no exact dimensions have been offered, to our eyes it looks about the same length as a modest ocean liner – or similar to its great, great Grandad: the 1950s Cadillac Eldorado.

So it’s got road presence, but what powers this luxurious land yacht? As you’d expect, the days of Cadillac’s lazily-loping 7 and 8-litre V8s are sadly behind us. Instead, the Sollei majors in silky-smooth, effortless progress courtesy of an all-electric powertrain.

While it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s likely (should it make production) that the Sollei will share the Celestiq’s 600-bhp, dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup. With help from the supreme traction of Michelin’s award-winning Pilot Sport EV tyres, this should mean an estimated 0-60 mph sprint in the region of 3.8 seconds.

Big Cadillacs have never been about blistering acceleration, though, and this one is no different. Think of the Sollei as a showcase for the brand’s most equiste bespoke features and materials.

Inside, a revolutionary new material called Fine Mycelium™ adorns the charging mats and door pockets. Grown from mycelium (the renewable root structure of mushrooms), the substance ‘reflects Cadillac’s mission to pioneer renewable automotive resources’. More conventionally, there’s also lashings of unstained wood veneer and the windscreen is framed with milled brushed aluminium.

Adding to the ambiance, distinguished lighting zones bathe occupants in up to 126 unique hues, while a drinks fridge nestles between the rear seats. Rather bizarrely, the Sollei has also been optimised to appeal to bird watching enthusiasts. Each example comes with a leather-wrapped case housing 3D printed acrylic bird call tools – as well as a special notebook for jotting down your finds.

If you’re an avid avian enthusiast with a penchant for porcini, you’re probably thinking ‘where do I sign up’? Well there’s no word just yet on if, or when, a production equivalent of the Sollei will ever come to fruition. Though, given the extraordinary Celestiq was recently given the green light, anything’s possible…

Do you think the Sollei’s extravagant design marks a return to Cadillac’s golden age? Let us know if you’d drive such a machine in the UK.

Hero image credit:   Cadillac