The Cadillac Sollei concept was recently unveiled, showing off the luxury brand’s electric vehicle design language in an ultra-luxury cabriolet inspired by the sun and leisure. Interestingly, the Sollei features a soft top instead of a convertible hard top, and Cadillac Society discovered the reason behind this choice.
In Episode 10 of the Cadillac Society Podcast, Cadillac Society Executive Editor, Alex Luft, outlines why the Sollei was treated to a soft top instead of a hard top. Luft spoke with GM Design Chief Michael Simcoe during the Sollei reveal, who explained that it all comes down to packaging and functionality. Simply put, the soft top takes up much less space when folded down than a hard top would, enabling designers to make a vehicle with more flowing, natural lines while not having to allocate space toward stowing the hard top.
It’s also worth noting that the soft top isn’t unique to the Sollei. In fact, almost every ultra-luxury convertible utilizes a soft top, putting the Cadillac Sollei concept convertible in league with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley. In fact, thank to advances in materials, using soft tops on luxury convertibles is becoming a trend, prompting some automakers to make the switch on existing models, such as the Mercedes-Benz SL, which now features a soft top rather than the hard top found on previous-gen models.
While the Sollei doesn’t exist as a production model (at least as of this writing), it’s easy to spot the Cadillac Celestiq‘s roots, which served as the donor vehicle for the Cadillac Sollei concept. The front ends are identical, sporting narrow horizontal lighting elements across the top of the LED grille.
The Sollei is finished in an exterior color called Manila Cream, a color offered on 1950s-era Cadillacs, while high-end décor includes unstained wood veneers, sunburst-inspired seatback and center console details, and a pastel yellow color palette. Other standout features include a built-in beverage chiller in the second row complete with crystal glasses and a full set of 3D-printed birdcalls to encourage passengers to sit back and enjoy the journey.
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Paul
The Sollei would be an amazing car to own but it is electric. What a waste of good design and engineering.
I wanted a car that I would buy. Not a toy golf cart.
Tim Pawl
I don’t see any actual photos of top in operation, just artists renderings. Is it a straight hydraulic top like 1949-1970 or is it a scissors top like 1971-1976 Eldorado?
Bill Howland
Looks to me like Cadillac is making lemonade out of lemons. Too many are critical of the Celestiq while many seem to like this vehicle.
The spokesman seems to be overstating the case here, and basically lying, since the 2024 rolls spectre EV is much further along in development if they can loan Jay Leno one for his show.
The car also seems to suffer from the space inefficiency of the Lyriq, something that we owners of it tolerate.
Alex Luft
Tim – from what I understand, the top is not operational on the concept… so your guess is as good as mine.
Bill Howland
Salesman turned me off when he said this is the first luxury EV.. Rolls has nothing to worry about
That’s why Leno paid $500,000 for his. And the extra money seems to be worth it, as the car rides better, and seems more driver friendly.
Alex Luft
“And the extra money seems to be worth it, as the car rides better, and seems more driver friendly.”
Can you elaborate on which car rides better than what other car? What is more “driver friendly?”