by Automotive design has made significant strides in recent years, but sometimes it seems we’ve taken a step backward in some aspects. A prime example is the Cadillac Celestiq. This $340,000 electric sedan, hand-assembled, is meant to become a symbol of the brand’s premium class. However, if the method of accessing the battery is considered innovative, then perhaps the approach should be reconsidered.
As it turned out after studying the owner’s manual, the process of “reviving” a dead 12V battery looks at least strange. Without power, it’s impossible to open the car remotely or access the front trunk for charging. Convenient, isn’t it?
An Unusual Path to Restarting the Car
First, the owner will have to find the physical key in the key fob to open the rear trunk via a hidden lock under the door handles. After that, it’s necessary to fold down the rear seats, crawl into the cabin, and find the hood release lever near the driver’s seat. But that’s not all—the hood has a two-stage mechanism, so you need to get out of the car again, lift it, and repeat the action.
Only after that can you connect the battery for charging. Such a procedure seems particularly inconvenient for a car that likely won’t be used daily. Without constant charging, battery discharge is almost inevitable.
It’s hard to understand why exactly such a complicated process was chosen as optimal. Perhaps Cadillac has a simpler solution hidden among their electric technologies.
This strange scheme applies not only to the Celestiq but also to other electric models of the brand, including the Lyriq. Although in the latter, due to the crossover-type body, it’s easier to get into the cabin, but that doesn’t make the procedure any less absurd.
Since the Celestiq is a custom-built car, perhaps buyers will be able to order additional options, for example, a mechanical lock for the front trunk. Although at that price, they would most likely just call a service, but still, simpler access to basic functions wouldn’t hurt.
We have reached out to Cadillac for comment and will update the information if we receive a response.
