Cadillac Sixteen

For the 1930s car, see Cadillac V-16.
Cadillac Sixteen
Man looking at Cadillac Sixteen with open hood.
Overview
ManufacturerCadillac (General Motors)
DesignerWayne Cherry, Brian Smith, Tom Stephens,[1] Michael Torpey[2]
Body and chassis
ClassConcept car
Body style4-door sedan
LayoutFront-mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine13.6 L (13,584 cc) 32-valve V16
Transmission4 speed GM 4L85-E automatic (modified)
Dimensions
Wheelbase3,556 mm (140.0 in)[3]
Length5,672 mm (223.3 in)[3]
Width2,029 mm (79.9 in)[3]
Height1,392 mm (54.8 in)[3]
Curb weight5,005 lb (2,270 kg)[3]

The Cadillac Sixteen is a concept car first developed and presented by Cadillac in 2003.

The vehicle is equipped with a Cadillac proprietary-developed aluminum 32-valve V16 engine displacing 13.6 liters (829 cu. in; 13,584 cc), which was exclusive to the Sixteen and based on the GM Generation IV LS architecture.[4] It is mated to a four-speed, electronically controlled, automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. The engine features fuel-saving Active Fuel Management "Displacement on Demand" technology,[5] which could shut down either twelve or eight of the cylinders when the full output was not needed.[6] The V16 was capable of 16.65 mpg under normal conditions. The engine was said to produce a minimum of 1,000 bhp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) and at least 1,000 lb⋅ft (1,356 N⋅m) of torque[5] using no form of forced induction. The car itself weighs about 5,005 lb (2,270 kg).

The car referenced the Cadillac V-16 of the 1930s. The actual design of the car was a combination of Cadillac's current "Art and Science" design theme and 1967 Cadillac Eldorado cues. Additional original design elements were provided by an in-house design competition led by GM Vice President Bob Lutz. The Sixteen has the Cadillac logo carved out of solid crystal on the steering wheel and a Bulgari clock on the dashboard.

The Sixteen's interior
Rear view
Side view with doors open

Although the Sixteen remained a concept car, its design language was implemented in Cadillac's subsequent vehicles, most noticeably on the 2008 Cadillac CTS. Since its unveiling there have been resurfacing rumors about a possible very limited production of an exclusive Cadillac halo model. A scaled-down version of the car, referred to as the ULS (Ultra Luxury Sedan) or XLS, with a standard V8 and an optional V12 (the latter was to be called the Cadillac Twelve), had been rumored for production since 2005,[7] but was eventually shelved in favor of the Cadillac XTS.

View of the V16 engine

Ever since the Sixteen was first unveiled there have been resurfacing rumors, speculation and high hopes of automotive journalists and aficionados about a possible limited production of an exclusive Cadillac halo model, such as the Sixteen, to be the "ultimate flagship" of the brand and sit atop of the upcoming flagship, as previewed by the Ciel concept of late 2011.[5][8][9] An exclusive Cadillac halo model descended from the Sixteen concept lineage was finally confirmed in March 2020 with the Cadillac Celestiq, an ultra luxury, 4 door electric flagship sedan which began production in 2024.

In media

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In 2003, Top Gear reviewed the Cadillac 16 with its presenter James May in Series 2, Episode 10. May praised the Sixteen as "exactly what a Cadillac should be" and said it should be put into production.

References

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  1. ^ "2003 Cadillac Sixteen Concept". Audrain Automotive Museum. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  2. ^ "Cadillac by Michael Torpey". Coroflot. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e "2003 Cadillac V Sixteen Technical specifications". www.carfolio.com. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-04.
  4. ^ "Cadillac Sixteen Concept V-16 Engine - Tech Stuff". www.caranddriver.com. May 2003. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
  5. ^ a b c Keebler, Jack (August 3, 2003). "Cadillac Sixteen - Concept Car". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Series 2 - Episode 10". Top Gear. Season 2. Episode 10. July 20, 2003. BBC. Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved December 2, 2017. [...] sixteen cylinders, but if you're just cruising along you only use four cylinders, if you go to overtake someone you get eight cylinders, and its only when you flatten it, as the Americans would say, that you get all sixteen. Now, that means that this two-and-half tonne twenty-foot-long car will do 20 mpg, which is actually very impressive.
  7. ^ walter j keegan jr. (18 January 2005). "Cadillac shores up Ultra Luxury Sedan". Autoblog.
  8. ^ "Cadillac Sixteen Concept". www.seriouswheels.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Cadillac keeps breaking my heart". 30 August 2011.
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