“The Cadillac Sixteen is a modern interpretation of everything that made Cadillac the standard of the world, and can again.”
Robert A. Lutz
GM Vice Chairman for Product Development and Chairman of GM North American
“The Cadillac Sixteen is more technical than most concept cars insofar as the structure.”
David Bolognino
Program Manager of the Cadillac Sixteen
"The Cadillac Sixteen was designed and crafted as the ultimate statement of luxury.”
Wayne Cherry
Vice President of GM Design
The Cadillac Sixteen was well engineered with world class performance. It was a classic design that reflects an era when luxury cars were built by hand. The Cadillac Sixteen resembled past Cadillac models like the V-16 of the 1930's. During the early years, Cadillac was the first automaker that developed the V-16 which nowadays, is still very popular among automotive historians. The Cadillac Sixteen Concept was designed with crisp edged lines of the midnight silver aluminum body panels accentuate the model's exceptionally striking appearance.
The Cadillac Sixteen interior included a Bvlgari clock, Steuben crystal accents, Tuscany leather seating, and hand-woven silk carpeting. The right-sided rear seating for occupants featured powered adjustable slopes to recline like a chaise lounge. The hand-woven silk carpeting was a light cream color that matched the leather upholstery. For a further rich contemporary styling, the interior dash, door panels, and front and rear console was offered with a trimmed walnut burl veneer inlay.
The Cadillac Sixteen also offered GM's XV-16 cylinder concept engine that generated more than 1000 horsepower and 1000 lbs. ft. torque. The extensive use of aluminum components and structure provided substantial weight advantages. The aluminum steel chassis employed a high-arm SLA suspension up front and independent semi-trailing arm suspension in the rear.
The Cadillac Sixteen concept vehicle was featured in the 2006 motion picture film Click. From motion pictures to publication articles, the classic lines and meticulous craftsmanship of the Cadillac Sixteen has earned admirers from all over the world.
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A special thanks to Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher, for donating the story to the MotorCities Story of the Week program. Photographs/information: courtesy of General Motors 2003 Concept Vehicles Communications Portfolio. Please do not use any photographs without the permission of the Robert Tate or MotorCities National Heritage Area. For further information contact Robert Tate at btate@motorcities.org. If you have a story that you would like to donate to be featured as a MotorCities Story of the Week, email Lisa Ambriez at lambriez@motorcities.org