The 2002 Cadillac Cien concept is currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. Part of the museum’s Modern Concepts exhibit, the Cien set the trajectory for the luxury marque’s era-defining design language over 20 years ago.
The name “Cien”, which means “one hundred” in Spanish, was chosen for this concept vehicle to celebrate the luxury marque’s 100th anniversary. Designed by Simon Cox, who also sketched the Opel Speedster and Isuzu Vehicross, the Cien is a two-door, two-seat supercar with a rear mid-mounted engine.
That engine is quite interesting in and of itself. Mounted behind the cab was an experimental 7.5L V12 gasoline powerhouse estimated to produce 750 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, enabling the Cien to feature a healthy top speed of 217 miles per hour.
Despite those impressive output figures, fuel economy was estimated to be on par with that of an eight-cylinder engine. This was made possible by fuel-saving technologies such as Displacement On Demand (Active Fuel Management), which enabled the vehicle to run on just six cylinders while cruising. The Cien’s monocoque chassis and distinctive exterior design are made of composite aerogel, an ultralight material composed of a gel. The museum points out the Cien’s “distinctive flat-plane styling,” which inspired Cadillac designs throughout the 2010s.
The Cadillac Cien will be on display through July 2025, with the display accessible to the general public. Admission to the museum is $21 for adults, but enthusiasts can also purchase the $49 Vault ticket, which grants access to an exclusive display of 250 rare cars and motorcycles from throughout automotive history.
While it’s good to see that the Cien has been preserved, the same is not the case for other Caddy concepts. Cadillac Society recently spotted the 1990 Cadillac Aurora concept in storage lot, likely waiting to meet its fate at the crusher.
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