The universe seems to work in cycles, doesn’t it? What goes around, comes around, as they say. The world of cars operates on the same principle, which is why Cadillac is attempting a return to the highest echelon of automotive coachbuilding that it occupied in the first half of the twentieth century. This brand once represented the best of the best, so it can do it again, right?
Enter the Celestiq, Cadillac’s new flagship electric vehicle that enters the market with a startling cost over $300,000 – double the next highest starting price for a car wearing the famous wreath and crest badge.
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Has Cadillac come full circle since its early halcyon days, which were followed by decades of mundaneness and mediocrity? We think so, which is why the superlative Celestiq graces this month’s cover. We can’t wait to witness Cadillac’s return to form.
The Rolls-Royce-rivaling price isn’t the only thing that makes the Celestiq unique among Cadillacs. Each one will be a custom commission for its owner, just like Cadillacs used to be when Woodrow Wilson was president. While you can make the Celestiq your own with custom colors, materials, and finishes, they all will come with a big 111-kWh battery good for 300 miles of range and a 0-60 time of just 3.8 seconds.
Something else that’s returned is a hybrid-powered McLaren supercar. The original P1 was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with over 900 horsepower from its dual powertrain, but the brand lost its taste for electricity after that. Until now. The new McLaren Artura reverses the trend with a PHEV powertrain that is similar to the old P1, though with less power, befitting its grand touring mission. Read our driving impressions of the Artura on page 30.
The circle of life brings us to another topic in this month’s issue. On page 36, we’ll detail which automakers take their history into their own hands by offering official restoration services for vintage models. There’s no better way to ensure your past represents you well in the present than to have a hand in its preservation for the future.
Speaking of preserving, there’s one engine type in particular with a foot and four toes in the grave, and that’s the V12. We expect the value of V12-powered cars will increase as the few remaining modern examples die off and leave a new car market entirely bereft of these mechanical beasts. On page 20, we explain why something powered by a V12 might be your next best investment. Formula 1 cars used to be powered by V12 engines — that ended with a rule change in 2000. With the 2023 season starting up again this month, we’re spotlighting the rise of Red Bull Racing and reigning champion Max Verstappen on page 40.
And just like that, we’ve reached the end of this month’s letter from the editor. But where one thing ends, another begins. You’ve got the whole March 2023 issue ahead of you, so enjoy what we put together, and happy hunting for your next great purchase.
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