Ciel means "Sky" in French. This enormous convertible car was intended to explore what might have become a new flagship sedan for GM's top luxury brand. It harkens back to the big Cadillac convertibles of the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. Longer than a Chevrolet Tahoe full-size SUV, the Ciel rides on huge 22-inch wheels. The back doors on this four-door car open rearward.
General Motors
Chevrolet Camaro concept —
Under Harley Earl, GM created the industry's first concept cars. But critics often complain that car companies make cool concept cars that never turn into production models.
General Motors
Opel Astra —
Welburn's design responsibilities have spanned the globe. Take the Opel Astra, for instance. It's sold as the Vauxhall Astra in England, the Holden Astra in Australia and the Buick Verano hatchback in China. (An earlier version was also available as the Saturn Astra in the United States.) This latest Astra, with its deeply sculptured look, was voted European Car of the Year at this year's Geneva Motor Show.
General Motors
GMC Sierra Denali —
General Motors' GMC division is testament to the importance of design. Each GMC truck and SUV model shares pretty much everything but its appearance with a similar Chevrolet model. But the GMC version is a touch more upscale. And GMC's Denali line-up takes it to the top, essentially offering customers Cadillacs in steel-toed boots. The idea works. GMC is one of GM's most successful brands and the Denalis, like this pick-up, are big money-makers.
Although GM makes many competitive luxury cars, the Escalade remains Cadillac's de facto flagship. The newest version wears that brash Cadillac face well. The complex headlights look like expensive jewelry which, when it comes right down do it, they are. In the back, tall blade-like taillights suggest the tall tailfins of '50s Caddys.
Buick has long been trying to shake off its image as a boring brand that sells boring cars to boring people. To further distance itself from that notion, GM designers created the Avista concept car, unveiled at this year's Detroit Auto Show. It's a 400 horsepower rear-wheel-drive performance model. This is one concept, though, that GM is unlikely to actually produce. Buick is aiming for more excitement, but perhaps not this much.
General Motors
Cadillac CTS Coupe —
This is another example of a production car that looks like a mere design exercise. And, really, this futuristic wedge-shaped car is all about the looks. Again, the design is focused on elegance and simplicity. My guess is that, someday, car collectors will clamor to get their hands on an original Cadillac CTS Coupe
