A Look Back: Cadillac Cien Concept
Officially unveiled at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show, the Cadillac Cien is a breathtaking concept powered by a 7.5 L V12 Northstar XV12 engine, which produces 750 hp and 450 lb/ft of torque. The engine featured direct injection and Displacement on Demand, which would shut down up to 6 cylinders under lighter load for fuel economy’s sake. The Cien is fitted with an F-1 style semi-automatic transmission.
To say the least, the Cien is extraordinary looking, and the design is based on the F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Jet. Electronically controlled air inlets and outlets are integrated into the Cien’s body side. These active vents open and close as required for cooling, similar to the Lamborghini Murcielago’s vents. Air is directed to the V12 engine via intakes beneath the two sail panels. The blue glass covering the Cien was inspired by sport performance eye-wear, giving the vehicle a more high-tech look. The Cien also has an active spoiler that raises and lowers, depending on the speed on the vehicle. The wheels are 19 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear, which look very good on the car without giving it the “Dubz” feeling. Continue on for the rest of the article…
The Cien has all of the technological advances you would expect from it, including Night Vision, using thermal imaging to display a view beyond the headlights via heads-up-display projected on the windshield. It also includes StabiliTrak, Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist and Communiport – which integrates the car’s audio, computing, navigation and wireless communication through hands-free voice activation.
The interior, lined with carbon fiber, features the gadgets you would expect, including a rear-view camera, a top-notch entertainment system, and a digital instrument display relaying all of the vehicle’s functions, including diagnostics and satellite navigation.
Dark anodized aluminum accents reflect the Cien’s cool, technical appearance. The interior has a strong vertical theme, revolving around the car’s center console, which houses Cien’s controls, and the modern, yet classical clock – designed by Bulgari and inspired by their Rettangolo wristwatch. The interior further complements the concept’s lightweight theme, utilizing carbon fiber and aluminum structural elements in a design that combines luxury and performance.
The Cien was also used in the excellent 2005 film The Island starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. The car is featured in what my opinion is one of the coolest chase scenes in the history of movies, but I’m not going to ruin the movie for you. I highly recommend going out and renting it. Below is a screenshot:
Of course Cadillac will not make the Cien, just like they didn’t make the Cadillac Sixteen Concept, they are all about making awesome concepts to get people excited about their cars, then half-delivering on them. The overpriced XLR-V (the luxurious Corvette) is most likely the closest you will ever get to a Cien, but the thought of this making it to production makes me drool profusely. Frankly, this would be a decent move for Cadillac as it would get people more excited about them, moving their image up a few notches. Plus, I’m sure they wouldn’t have a problem selling a limited run of them. Who wouldn’t if they had the money?
Filed Under: Cadillac • Concept Cars
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Harley's situation was vastly different than the big three. Approximately one third of every GM car goes to pay pension and medical benefits on retired union workers. Harley let things slide cuz they thought they could get away with it. The big three let things slide because they couldn't afford to do otherwise and had incompetent union people running their floors. RIght now because of unions GM's cars are THE MOST expensive to build out of the major car players.
I think you're missing my point which is that regardless what the big three try to do in improvements to their vehicles unless the playing field is leveled they will eventually fail and along with it a big chunk of our economy will fail as well. You say they need to improve and that they shouldn't "cut corners". I ask, with what money? When a third of your cost is overhead on top of overhead how can you afford to improve?
What magic pixy dust can they sprinkle? This is economics at its best. Low overhead, high profit wins and in this case all Americans lose BIG. Think stock market CRASH.
You also mention that competition is a good thing in all cases. Then why doesn't China, Japan, and Germany decrease their tariffs on our imports to 2.5 percent like we have to thiers? Competition is only good if its your product in a foreign country that's winning. If it was always good Japan would have abandoned its protectionist policies long ago–they know better.
Mr. Gerard Cannon, I respect a lot of what you say, but I happen to disagree with you on this: GM's case is not hopeless.
It's true the current situation is unfair, but GM and the other two did not let things slide because they HAD to, they did so because they CHOSE to. Unions, taxes, and the like can do a lot of things, but they do not mandate that many American cars were notorious for shoddy build quality and service problems.
It's a misconception that no matter what happens, the Big Three will fail due to unfair competition. All they have to do is recommit themselves, and be so much better that they take back the market EVEN while suffering due to an unlevel playing field. To be the best even when the odds are against them…that's the American way.
Leveling the playingfield is a nice thought, but it's not very likely to happen, which is why the Big Three have to focus on regaining the market by exceeding standards first. Having a level playing field simply makes it easier for the Three to do so.
The shoddy build quality and service problems are a direct result of a union based work environment and low profit due to unfair foreign trade practice. Unions make it next to impossibly to fire incompetent employees, not to mention if you're spending all your budget on union overhead you have none left over for updating tooling, machinery, etc..
Union shops don't promote employees based on performance like a normal business would do. A crappy performer gets paid the same as a high performer and the only thing unions reward is seniority. In that type of work environment its no wonder why they've had quality issues and to be honest even with this handicap I've been seeing a lot more problems coming out of the imports as of the last 7 years.
In a global economy the lowest overhead highest profit competitors will win. This precludes the big three.
With all that said I hope you're right….
The cadillac cien needs to be put to rest. Cadillac is going out of business and will need to be shunned for the next following years.
They’re making one that looks like it was inspired by the cien, but without the power – the 2014 ELR. I’m just hoping they’ll end up with an interior that is as luxurious, yet sleek, as the current CTS coupe. If they pull that off, power or not, I’ll probably buy it.
The ELR looks great – sort of a mix between the Cien and CTS Coupe. Let’s hope they make the interior and powertrain at least come close to matching its exterior appearance.