Cadillac unveils ‘Elevated Velocity’ electric crossover concept car

General Motors on Thursday unveiled the Cadillac Elevated Velocity, a new concept car aimed at building up the brand’s all-electric luxury crossover segment.

The electric concept car has a “lifted yet elegant design,” according to Cadillac, riding on 24-inch wheels. It includes multiple driving modes to enhance the electric vehicle’s performance, the company said.

“The word ‘elevate’ serves a dual meaning – it is a reference to the lifted chassis that enables high-speed off-road capabilities, but it also refers to an elevated luxury experience,” said Alexandra Dymowska, Cadillac senior brand designer, in a media release.

The vehicle, which is a running showcar but does not have full performance capabilities, builds on Cadillac’s luxury EV portfolio, which already includes the Lyriq and the Optiq.

Automakers regularly use concept vehicles to gauge customer interest or show the future direction of a vehicle or brand, but they’re not meant to be sold to consumers.

The car continues the design principles of Cadillac’s “Opulent Velocity” concept car, which the company revealed in 2024, said Bryan Nesbitt, vice president of GM global design, in a media statement.

GM initially set a goal to exclusively offer EVs by 2035, but has since said that consumer demand, which has been slower than expected, will dictate its EV plans. Its luxury Cadillac brand set a separate goal to be all-electric by 2030, but more recently said it will offer a full lineup of EVs as well as gas-powered cars.

Cadillac has been going through a revival effort in recent years, considering that luxury cars offer higher profit margins and attract a more affluent consumer than traditional vehicles.

During a call with reporters last month, Cadillac Vice President John Roth said the brand saw its best first half in nearly 20 years. He touted that Cadillac was the bestselling luxury EV brand in the second quarter of 2025, No. 2 in calendar year-to-date terms and fifth for overall EV sales.

The concept car offers multiple user experience modes. When entering the car, “welcome mode” involves the gull-wing doors lifting skyward and parts of the interior lighting up.

When the driver engages “elevate mode,” the car becomes autonomous and the interior transforms into a “recovery space,” where the pedals and steering wheel retract, ambient lighting changes and a light above the steering column aids the driver in breathwork to help occupants get in the “headspace for performance,” according to Cadillac.

The elevate mode also triggers interior cabin filtration, fragrance, red light therapy and climatization to account for changes in air temperature and quality.

“Velocity mode,” meanwhile, features cool white lighting to “evoke a sense of exhilaration” and floor lighting dims to help the driver focus on the road.

The concept car also includes different drive modes for on-road and off-road performance and improved visibility when driving in dusty or sandy conditions.

Cadillac said its exterior color is inspired by glacier ice, contrasted against the car’s red interior.

The cabin includes red leather on the seat cushions and the cabin and cargo floor, while a red fabric covers the seat uppers, armrests and instrument panel.