Cadillac Concept Will Take The Company Where It's Never Gone Before

3 months, 2 weeks ago - 17 August 2025, CarBuzz

Cadillac just revealed a new concept car at the fanciest automotive event of the year, Monterey Car Week 2025. The American luxury automaker debuted its new Elevated Velocity Concept, the latest evolution of an all-electric, high-performance crossover. Unlike the company's existing crossovers like the Lyriq-V and Optiq-V, this one is built to go off-road.

Cadillac is quick to stress that this is only a concept, but it could "foreshadow potential future design cues." The Elevated Velocity reminds us a lot of the concept Cadillac revealed at last year's Car Week, the Opulent Velocity. While that car was a low-slung coupe, the Elevated Velocity is a lifted 2+2 crossover designed for "off-grid" driving.

"Elevated Velocity builds on the design principles introduced in the Opulent Velocity concept revealed in 2024, artfully integrating Cadillac's luxury, technology and performance in an increasingly popular performance-luxury crossover form factor." – Bryan Nesbitt, vice president of GM global design

A New Kind Of V Car

Despite being built for off-roading, the Elevated Velocity rides on massive 24-inch wheels. Cadillac says it can handle the "most challenging terrains," but also delivers a refined on-road experience. That's a bold statement considering there's practically no sidewall on those massive rollers, but did we mention this car isn't destined for production? We can let some details slide, like no power output being mentioned from the electric powertrain. But the Elevated Velocity includes four selectable driving modes meant to change the experience:

e-Velocity Mode: made for on-road driving, similar to V-Mode in today's Cadillac modelsTerra Mode: Lifts the air suspension for off-road drivingSand Vision: Similar to night vision, but for sandstormsElements Defy: Uses dust-phobic vibration to keep the vehicle clean

The car itself looks great, as most Cadillac concept cars tend to be stunning, but we question how many of these elements will make it onto a production car. Those rear infinity tail lights could be incorporated somehow, as could the overall idea of an off-road V model. However, details such as the gullwing doors, tiny rear window, and ability to vibrate itself clean probably won't show up on your next Caddy.

A Very Conceptual Interior

We can usually tell how close a car is to production based on how an automaker describes the interior, and with the Elevated Velocity, Cadillac isn't even trying to make it seem viable. The cabin is wrapped in Morello Red fine Nappa leather from the floor to the headliner, but there is a ring of cerise fabric on the doors and instrument panel. Cadillac programmed three modes for the interior, which alter how you operate the vehicle:

Welcome Mode: the floor, seats, instrument panel, and doors light up to welcome you into the vehicle
Elevate Mode: The pedals and steering wheel retract, the vehicle becomes fully autonomous, and the outside/cabin temperature is displayed, lights are synchronized to your breathing
Velocity Mode: Interior lights glow white, the steering wheel displays speed, battery health, and an augmented reality head-up display is shown

While off-roading, a cabin filtration system pulls out dust particles to keep the air clean, fragrances are dispensed through the vents, and the car can even compensate for dry air. Cadillac also includes a locked vault in the trunk, which the company says is perfect for a polo set. Yes, polo set.

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