Cadillac Sixteen and its champion, Bob Lutz, together again

[ne_one]

Cadillac Sixteen and its champion, Bob Lutz, together again
Autoweek
November 7, 2012
by Roger Hart

Looking back on Bob Lutz' decade-long career as vice chairman of General Motors, there are a couple vehicles to which he will forever be linked.

The Pontiac Solstice, which made it from napkin sketch to concept car to production, and the Cadillac Sixteen concept, which made a big splash at the 2003 Detroit show but was never produced. Autoweek editors named the Sixteen Best In Show for 2003. Certainly, elements of the dream car made it into later production Cadillacs, but a production version of the ultra-luxury, high-horsepower Sixteen died in the bean counter's cubicle.

But the concept car lives on, and 10 years later, it's still a working concept. The 13.6-liter aluminum V16 under that long, center spine hood really works, pumping out 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

Lutz and the Sixteen were reunited for a day at the recent Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d'Elegance. Lutz was honorary chairman of the event, and the Sixteen's entrance to the show field was a surprise to Lutz.

Full article at link.

[Quixote88]

The Sixteen is one of the most beautiful and elegant car designs ever, in my opinion. I never tire of looking at it... It always struck me as being a modern interpretation of both the Art Deco American and elegant French designs of the 1930's.

[Dr. Show-Me]

I saw it at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003. It was absolutely stunning in person, even though it was difficult to get near, with the crowds surrounding it being 10-deep.
I doubt there is a market for this exact car, but the Omega should share some of the distinctive design elements of the 16.

[zl-1]

Awesome concept; very sad a proper Cadillac flagship is still missing... Let's hope a Ciel-inspired flagship is REALLY built instead of ending up in the Would Be Cadillac Flagship collection.

[BlackGTP]

I saw it at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003. It was absolutely stunning in person, even though it was difficult to get near, with the crowds surrounding it being 10-deep.
I doubt there is a market for this exact car, but the Omega should share some of the distinctive design elements of the 16.

If they kept it at 350 a year, I bet there would be a market. If GM could break even on producing it, I'd say go ahead!

[germeezy1]

This is the kind of over the top car that Cadillac needs moving forward, and although I find the Ciel quite exemplary it's engine pales in comparison to the amazingly potent engine in the 16.

[Butz]

GM should make it as is.

[V8GMT360 Guy]

I say they build them as a American alternative to the Veyron.

[germeezy1]

I say they build them as a American alternative to the Veyron.

The Bugatti Galibier not the Veyron would be the competition for this car, and Bugatti aims for it to be the fastest sedan on the planet tuner vehicles included.

[Cobaltss_King]

I think the amount of orders for this car would surprise people. It could sell as is.

[elgreen]

We were teased with the Sixteen and now the Ciel, and we're still waiting for the big RWD Cadillac with Cadillac attitude. The Ciel proved that somebody still understands what that is, that glamour has not completely disappeared from autodom. Affluence is not necessarily an uptight silver bahnburner with a road-rage attitude.

[nruggiero]

I so love this car compared to the Ciel. The Ciel doesn't hold a candle compared to this.

GM needs to quit smoking crack and build this car!

[Al63240]

It's amazing that 10 years later, this is still an absolutely stunning vehicle. For those non-auto enthusiasts that have never seen this before, it looks like it could work if produced today. Just gorgeous.

[mgescuro]

The Bugatti Galibier not the Veyron would be the competition for this car, and Bugatti aims for it to be the fastest sedan on the planet tuner vehicles included.

Galibier is out in about 2 years and should have the Veyron's W16 engine. It would have to have a top speed of >200 mph to unseat the current fastest sedan.

But it doesn't matter, as they're all under the VW family umbrella.

[germeezy1]

Galibier is out in about 2 years and should have the Veyron's W16 engine. It would have to have a top speed of >200 mph to unseat the current fastest sedan.

But it doesn't matter, as they're all under the VW family umbrella.

I believe that the Galibier will actually exceed 220 mph because there are Brabus sedans that already exceed 210 mph and the Continental Flying Spur Speed is already capable of 205 mph.