Cadillac does not build many cars like the Cadillac Sixteen: a 4-door sedan with 13.6 L (13,584 cc) 32-valve V16, made in small numbers. Its designer of record is Wayne Cherry, Brian Smith, Tom Stephens, Mike Torpey.
Where it came from
The Cadillac Sixteen is a concept car first developed and presented by Cadillac in 2003. The vehicle is equipped with a Cadillac proprietary-developed aluminum 32-valve V16 engine displacing 13.6 liters (829 cu. in; 13,584 cc), which was exclusive to the Sixteen and based on the GM Generation IV LS architecture. It is mated to a four-speed, electronically controlled, automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. The engine features fuel-saving Active Fuel Management "Displacement on Demand" technology, which could shut down either twelve or eight of the cylinders when the full output was not needed. The V16 was capable of 16.65 mpg under normal conditions. The engine was said to produce a minimum of 1,000 bhp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) and at least 1,000 lb⋅ft (1,356 N⋅m) of torque using no form of forced induction. The car itself weighs about 5,005 lb (2,270 kg).
The car referenced the Cadillac V-16 of the 1930s. The actual design of the car was a combination of Cadillac's current "Art and Science" design theme and 1967 Cadillac Eldorado cues. Additional original design elements were provided by an in-house design competition led by GM Vice President Bob Lutz. The Sixteen has the Cadillac logo carved out of solid crystal on the steering wheel and a Bulgari clock on the dashboard. Although the Sixteen remained a concept car, its design language was implemented in Cadillac's subsequent vehicles, most noticeably on the 2008 Cadillac CTS. Since its unveiling there have been resurfacing rumors about a possible very limited production of an exclusive Cadillac halo model. A scaled-dow
Under the skin
Under the skin sits 13.6 L (13,584 cc) 32-valve V16. Kerb weight is 5005 lb. The gearbox is a 4 speed GM 4L85-E automatic (modified). The layout matters: the engine sits behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle, which puts the mass in the middle of the car and is why mid-engined cars change direction the way they do. The wheelbase is 3556 mm. These are manufacturer figures carried by Wikipedia and Wikidata, not road-test measurements.
In context
Nearby in the Cadillac catalogue sit the Cadillac 353 and the Cadillac ATS.