Harking back to V-16 glory days, in 2003 Cadillac revealed a concept car called the Cadillac Sixteen. It had a 16 cylinder motor derived from a production V-8, its horsepower claimed as 1,000.
Several years ago I noted it here, mentioning:
"The Sixteen is one Cadillac concept that I would have loved to have seen enter production. I actually viewed it at a Pebble Beach Concours d'Élégance and was not bothered at all by its flamboyance and exaggerated proportions (that long hood is fabulous!). I never could have afforded one, but dream cars are dream fodder, aren't they?"
In retrospect, if Cadillac launched a production version of the Sixteen (with 500 fewer horsepower), in one stroke that might well have energized the brand's image as a luxury car. Now, more than 15 years later, Cadillac's image still suffers in comparison to, say, Bentley and top-of-the-line Mercedes, BMWs, and Lexuses. Even Lincoln might be gaining on Cadillac.
But back in 2003 General Motors was well on the road to its eventual bankruptcy. Funds for such a super-Cadillac were almost surely lacking. And projected monetary return from its potential sales along with possibly increased short-run Cadillac sales in general might not have convinced GM bean-counters.
The Sixteen has classic long-hood, short front overhang proportions.
Rear overhang is also short; the trunk might be a little too small for a production version.
A production job would have slightly smaller wheels plus a trifle taller greenhouse.
The vertical headlight ensembles previews the current Caddy front running light theme.
Photo of the rear I took in July when the car was on display in Tacoma.
Interior. A current production version would of course sport a computer screen.
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