Cadillac Elmiraj Concept is so Awesome You Won't Believe Your Eyes

A stunning rear-wheel drive luxury coupe powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine making 500 hp. And it’s from America? Yes, the Cadillac Elmiraj concept is so spectacular you won’t believe your eyes.

Unveiled tonight at a private event as a part of festivities surrounding the Pebble Beach concours in Monterey, California the new two-door concept car is a look forward at a potential new flagship model for the flourishing luxury brand. Showcasing a new vision for luxury driving, the Elmiraj measures in at 205 inches in length and is a four-seater coupe with presence and poise.

Essentially, the American automaker took up where it had left off with the Ciel Concept, with the Elmiraj built on a new vehicle architecture that is part of Cadillac’s ongoing development project for lightweight, rear-wheel-drive performance. Powering the Elmiraj is a 4.5-liter, twin-turbo V8 with an estimated 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque and is based on the new Cadillac twin-turbo V6 found in the 2014 CTS Vsport edition model, which comes with 420 horsepower.

Simply put, Cadillac wanted to make a mature statement with its newest concept with 22-inch wheels backed by large, ceramic brakes with Cadillac monoblock calipers. While the styling of the Elmiraj has new elements, it is unmistakably Cadillac. The front grille emphasizes the vehicle’s substantial road presence while the Cadillac Crest appears in conceptual form, streamlined and tailored to the overall design of the Elmiraj.

Inside, the 2+2 layout sports high-performance seats that were designed to support spirited driving while offering no-compromise luxury. According to the American automaker, the front bucket seat slides 10 inches forward while the rear buckets can recline for additional comfort. A 10-inch touchscreen navigation is concealed inside the instrument panel when it’s not in use.

“We were influenced in particular by the 1967 Eldorado, both its actual design and the fact that in its time that car was a very stark contrast and a new direction. More recent design like the CTS-V Coupe and the ELR are provocative,” said Dean, the advanced design director. “Both of these cars were major statements of performance and luxury and drove Cadillac forward into new territory.”