It’s America’s answer to such supercars as the Lamborghini Diablo and, as CARtoday.com reported recently, the Cadillac Cien provides clues to the design of GM’s proposed V12 Corvette.
General Motors is evidently serious about entering the supercar market. The design of Cadillac’s latest offering, the 7,5-litre V12-engined Cien, was inspired by the Stealth fighter jet and the car will be officially unveiled at next year’s Detroit Motor Show.
CARtoday.com reported last week that General Motors was considering the feasibility of developing a Corvette supercar. Industry insiders say that the “SuperVette” could share components and ideas with the 585 kW mid-engined Cien. Even though neither of the cars is close to production, the development marks “a big ramp-up in horsepower, unique materials and a giant leap in technology” compared with anything GM has produced before, the president of GM North America, Ron Zarrella said recently.
The Cien continues the themes of the firm’s other recent concepts such as the CTS saloon and features Diablo-style doors. The audio, computing, night vision, satellite-navigation and wireless communication systems are linked through a voice-activated device called Communiport.
Design Chief Simon Cox explained: “With the Cien, we have created the ultimate expression of art and science using dynamic lines to achieve geometric forms.” The car comes with a detachable hard-top and a vertical spoiler that automatically deploys at high speeds.