They might never see production and if they do it probably won’t be with all the glitz and glamor that makes them fun to look at – but they are fun to look at. All of the photos here are courtesy of the respective automakers.
So here, in photos, are electric vehicle concepts from Cadillac, Lucid and Mercedes Benz that made their initial appearances (The Mercedes was shown earlier in Shanghai so this was its initial North American appearance) at Monterey Car Week events that accompany the storied Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance
A fourth – the Acura RSX electric crossover – isn’t quite in the same elevated price range as the three from the luxury marques, and we took a look at it a few days ago, but we’re including an exterior shot just to cover all the bases.
Cadillac Elevated Velocity
The gull-wing doors wouldn’t make it to a production version, if there is to be one, and the 24-inch wheels that raise it up and contribute to the ‘elevated’ part of the name are likely to be an pricey option if offered at all. Also a bit fanciful for a production model anytime soon is the ‘Elevated’ operating mode that turns the concept into a fully autonomous vehicle with disappearing steering yolk and brake and accelerator pedals.
The Elevated mode also turns on interior cabin filtration, a fragrance dispenser, and something called red light therapy.
The “Velocity” mode lets the driver drive and and switches ambient lighting from relaxing to an energizing cool white, with floor-level lights dimmed so as not to interfere with the driver’s view of instruments or the road.
There’s also an off-road mode, and a special button that starts an ultrasonic vibration in the sheet metal, intended to help the Caddy shake the dust off after a trek in the great outdoors.
Lucid Gravity X
The Gravity’s already here, albeit with very slow sales so far, but Lucid is amping it up with an ‘X” – for excursion – concept that, it says, shows what more the electric SUV could be.
Some of the package – paint, graphics brushed metal trim and the “geographic coordinates of Pebble Beach stamped onto the sill plates and rocker trim,” is for appearance. But the X luxury EV concept also features redesigned front and rear fascias designed to improve approach and departure angles, plus a wider track, increased ground clearance, all-terrain tires, skid plates, integrated roof-rack crossbars, a roof box, and tow hooks.
The production Gravity comes in either five- or seven-passenger configurations with up to 828 horsepower (3.4 seconds for 0 to 60 mph)and from 386 450 miles of range, per the EPA-estimates and depending on model.
We’d expect the Gravity X, if it makes it to production, to deliver closer to the 386 -mile range than the 450 miles. Those all-terrain tires increase rolling resistance , which decreases efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz Vision V
It looks a lot like a minivan trying to swallow a massive, chromed WWE or pro rodeo championship belt buckle. But it is – according to the folks from Stuttgart – a luxury limo.
Other than that it rides on 24-inch wheels that likely won’t make it to production and has reclining white leather lounge chairs and a 65-inch television that rolls up out of the floor to separate driver from passengers, no details have been provided except what you can see in the photos.
Mercedes-Benz has said, however, that there will be a line of “V” luxury minivans – to be built at plants in China and Spain we hear, and likely aimed at limo fanciers in China and Europe.
The grill, we hope, is one of the concept touches that gets lost in the translation to production model.
And Acrua’s RSX
This is probably the concept that’s closest to what the production model will look like. You can read all about this one – and see more photos – here.
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