Cadillac's $340K Celestiq Eliminates the Need to Access the Trunk for Battery Issues | Carscoops

      There remains a multi-step process to power it on if necessary.

       6 hours ago

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       by Stephen Rivers

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      Owners of the Cadillac Celestiq seem to have only one option for entry if their 12V battery fails.

      Fortunately, Cadillac has included jump leads in the trunk, enabling access and allowing the frunk to be opened.

      This approach is also applicable to the Cadillac Lyriq, although getting inside is somewhat simpler in the SUV.

      Update: It turns out that you don’t need to awkwardly crawl through the Cadillac Celestiq like a high-end burglar to jump-start the 12V battery, as was initially suggested. Thanks to the manual, we now understand that there's a more straightforward method. We’ve updated the article to include this new and less cramped technique.

      

      

      The design of automobiles has advanced significantly, but at times, it feels as if we’re reverting to some clumsy practices. A notable example is the Cadillac Celestiq. This all-electric, hand-crafted super sedan, starting at $340,000, seeks to reaffirm Cadillac’s status as “the standard of the world.”

      However, if the process for accessing the battery sets the new standard, we may all want to collectively rewind. The good news is that it’s not as bad as initially reported.

      More: Cadillac Projects EVs Will Represent 35% Of Its Sales This Year

      

      

      

      

      Initially, it appeared that a dead 12V battery would leave owners trapped in a peculiar, high-end version of a luxury escape room. According to GM Authority, if the vehicle lost power, one would have to access the cabin via the trunk like a thief on a mission and navigate their way to the manual release system. Only after completing this could they jump-start the 12V battery back to life.

      It seems that this is not the case after all. While Cadillac has not yet responded to our earlier email inquiring about the procedure, Carbuzz reported (and we’ve confirmed through the owner’s manual below) that Celestiq owners have a simpler alternative.

      

      

      

      The manufacturer provides jump leads that can allow power to flow directly to the 12V battery located in the trunk. While it's not exactly effortless—owners must remove an interior panel to access the leads—it’s certainly a less daunting task than crawling through a $340,000 vehicle as if it were a covert operation.

      

      

      

      

       Credit: Baldauf

      

      

      

      First, owners should unlock the trunk using the physical key and remove the load floor. Afterward, they'll need to take out the storage bin beneath and locate the jumper leads on the left side of the trunk. Once the leads are found, they can jump-start the 12V battery, gain access to the car, open the front trunk, and either charge the battery directly or replace it if needed.

      The Celestiq is made-to-order, and perhaps buyers with substantial means could request innovative features like a mechanical frunk latch that can be unlocked with a key. If the trunk is equipped with such a feature, why not the frunk? It’s likely that most owners will probably call Cadillac for assistance, but at this price point, convenience should be standard, not an optional extra.

      

      

      We’re also awaiting Cadillac’s response and will update the article should we receive any feedback from them.