That is an installment in a collection of posts wanting again on present automobiles that we really feel deserved a little bit extra consideration than they bought. You probably have a suggestion for a Forgotten Idea matter, please shoot us a line or depart a remark beneath.
Cadillac Voyage Idea
First Seen: 1988 Basic Motors Teamwork & Know-how Present
Description: Full-size sedan
Gross sales Pitch: “Rolling know-how laboratory.”
Extra Forgotten Ideas
Particulars:
First seen in 1988 on the Basic Motors Teamwork & Know-how Present held on the Waldorf-Astoria resort in New York Metropolis, the Cadillac Voyage Idea served as showcase for a number of burgeoning applied sciences, together with adaptive all-wheel drive, high-tech V8 engines, and voice-recognition cellphone operation.
The big sedan stretched 212.6 inches lengthy general–roughly 8 inches lower than the contemporaneous Cadillac Brougham. Designed by a crew led by GM VP of Design Chuck Jordan, the Voyage boasted a claimed drag coefficient of simply .28 Cd–effectively beneath that of a 1988 Chevrolet Corvette.
The Voyage’s energy got here from a fuel-injected 4.5-liter overhead-cam V8, good for a reported 275 horsepower. A 4-speed computerized transmission and adaptive AWD rounded out the powertrain.
Inside, the Voyage made use of a pair of dash-mounted displays, one in all which supported the automobile’s navigation system. Mounted to the sprint was a hands-free mobile-phone, designed to be operated fully by voice immediate. The Voyage Idea was adopted in 1989 by a coupe variant dubbed Solitaire. The Solitaire Idea adopted the identical general design theme because the Voyage, however featured distinctive styling components and a Lotus-supplied 6.6-liter V12 engine rated at 430 horsepower.
Forgotten Idea: Oldsmobile Profile
CG Says:
Why not? On reflection it’s simple to recommend that by this time Cadillac should have been fascinated with SUVs, however within the late Eighties there was nonetheless loads of curiosity in massive, highly effective, luxurious sedans.
The Voyage’s 4.5-liter V8 was predictive of the manufacturing Northstar 4.6-liter V8, which arrived beneath the hoods of choose Cadillacs only some years later. As for that drag coefficient, Cadillac claimed the Voyage may attain 200 mph, however that appears unlikely. A roadable model of this car would in all probability have weighed almost 5000 kilos, and with solely 275 horsepower beneath the hood… effectively, 140 mph feels extra real looking.
Huge query: Why would clients wish to see a hands-free cellphone? I assume an idea automobile wants visible components that reveal particular options, however shouldn’t a voice-controlled cellphone be largely hidden from sight?
Forgotten Idea: Lincoln Sentinel
Hearken to the Client Information Automobile Stuff Podcast
Cadillac Voyage Idea Gallery
Forgotten Idea: Mercedes-Benz Auto 2000