Cadillac’s sleek, high-performance EV coupe concept has a sandstorm mode

Cadillac’s latest concept is designed to be as thrilling on road as it is capable off it.

The Cadillac Elevated Velocity concept is a high-riding, high-performance electric crossover that the General Motors luxury brand says previews “potential future Cadillac design cues”.

It’ll be on display at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Carmel, California from today (August 15).

Cadillac says it builds on the Opulent Velocity revealed in 2024, and like this other concept it previews what V-Series performance models could look like in the future.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.

It also features design elements in existing Cadillac EVs, such as the long bonnet and vertical lighting elements of the Lyriq and Celestiq. The front lighting elements have a “fluted translucent” look like last year’s concept.

The Elevated Velocity features a sleek coupe silhouette with a pair of huge gullwing doors. Cover the lower half of the vehicle with your hand, and it could be yet another gorgeous Cadillac coupe concept in the tradition of the Cien and Elmiraj.

However, this sleek coupe rides on huge 24-inch wheels. That’s because this concept – and to be clear, this is just a concept – is intended to be capable off-road.

There’s a range of selectable drive modes, including Terra Mode, which adjust settings for components like the air suspension.

A Sand Vision feature works like Cadillac’s existing Night Vision, helping you see better during a sandstorm.

And whether it’s Mother Nature or your car kicking up dust, Cadillac has included a feature called Elements Defy that keeps the exterior clean of debris using a dust-phobic vibration.

Back on tarmac, there’s an e-Velocity mode that’s much like the V-Mode found in current V-Series vehicles. The ambient lighting shifts to white tones, and the steering wheel displays speed, time, battery health and temperature.

Cadillac hasn’t detailed any specific powertrain details for the concept.

Like the Opulent Velocity concept, the Elevated Velocity is designed to not only be enjoyable to drive but also to have autonomous driving capabilities.

Elevate Mode sees the pedals and steering wheel retract, while the outside temperature, driver’s body temperature and cabin temperature are all displayed and the ambient lighting shifts to red.

A rich Morello Red interior contrasts with the Vapour Blue exterior.

The cabin is finished in Fine Nappa leather, including on the headliner, pillars and even the cargo floor, as well as both Garnet boucle and Cerise fabrics. The former is used on items like the armrests, while the latter encircles the cabin, wrapping from the doors to behind the instrument panel and then behind the rear seats.

Brushed metal accents help break up the sea of red, and the Elevated Velocity features a 2+2 seating layout.

“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,” reads the press release.

Indeed, there’s been a lot of inspiration taken from desert polo, with the doors featuring a black crystal 3D printed pattern inspired by the sport.

Cadillac has even included a bespoke polo set in a lockable compartment in the rear, with the polo helmet, gloves, kneepads and mallet all crafted in Morello Red.

“Elevated Velocity seeks to demonstrate our interpretation of an uncompromised performance luxury experience, where one can repurpose their valuable time by commuting fully autonomously, then unlock a true hands-on high-performance experience in places not unlike the rich dunes of the Lahbab desert, leaving zero emissions in their wake,” said GM Global Design boss Bryan Nesbitt.

Cadillac has been busily expanding its lineup of electric vehicles (EVs), and has revealed its first electric V-Series performance models: the Lyriq-V, revealed late last year, and the Optiq-V, released this year.

The former has been locked in for an Australian launch in 2026.

Cadillac now offers V-Series models with everything from turbocharged four-cylinder power through to electric powertrains and supercharged V8 engines.

However, it has thus far reserved its vaunted Blackwing nameplate for purely combustion-powered models: the twin-turbo V6 CT4-V Blackwing, and the supercharged V8 CT5-V Blackwing.

Cadillac’s flagship EV is the ultra-exclusive Celestiq. A convertible version, the Sollei, was revealed last year along with the Opulent Velocity concept, and is decidedly more production-ready than the latter. Despite this, it has yet to be confirmed for production.

Above: Opulent Velocity and Sollei concepts

MORE: Cadillac shows what its performance cars could look like in the electric era

MORE: Will Cadillac put this Rolls-baiting convertible EV concept into production?