GM goes all-in at CES 2021 with air taxis and EVs galore

This story is part of CES, where our editors will present the latest news and the hottest gadgets from CES 2021 entirely virtual.

even though CES 2021 is a totally digital issue, General Motors treated its presentation as a complete event, launching a series of concepts and teasers for vehicles and quasi-vehicles in its spectrum of companies.

Basic items from CES, such as flying cars and autonomous vehicles, appeared, as well as several vehicle concepts that will arrive in production in the coming years. GM also used its speech to announce new business ventures, if you like that sort of thing. Let’s look at all the new revelations, piece by piece.

Cadillac eVTOL

Air taxis, which is a more accurate name than flying cars, are always a hot topic at CES. While technology and infrastructure may still be years away, if it ever comes to fruition, there is something about these personal aircraft that delight CES participants and fans every year.

General Motors made its first foray into electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, or eVTOLs, through its luxury brand Cadillac. The vehicle has no name, and for now it is only a representation, but the automaker showed a virtual version of a single seat personal plane it meant avoiding traffic going from one building to another, above all the noise.

Like everything else you will read at the CES 2021 lecture, GM’s eVTOL relies on electric propulsion, with a 90 kWh battery providing enough power to send the ship at a solid speed of 56 mph. The details are light, but the style definitely has Cadillac in mind, with sleek lines that resemble another futuristic concept …

Cadillac Halo pod self-handling

Autonomy? In my CES? In a move that shouldn’t surprise anyone, Cadillac swayed with not one, but two concepts based on futuristic methods of transportation.

O Standalone Halo pod follows the same design standards as many other autonomous vehicles of this type. The wheels are at the absolute ends of the body, leaving room for a positively luxurious interior designed to transport several people on the road with adequate comfort. It is set up as a living room, so people can get together and socialize instead of focusing on traffic. There’s a bit of a mid-century vibe going on inside, thanks to the extensive use of interesting lines and wood finishes.

There is also cool technology hidden here, including biometric sensors that can read the vital signs of passengers and change the temperature, lighting or even the smell of the cabin to keep everyone as relaxed as possible. There is no guarantee that something like this will make it to production, but if we get to that point, it’s good to know that Cadillac helps us.

Cadillac Celestiq electric sedan flagship

Cadillac has already announced the Celestiq, which will be its most chic sedan on offer, but at the CES 2021 lecture, the automaker finally decided to give us some details about its next four doors, in addition to some new teasers.

Hidden in the shadows, Celestiq mainly displayed its front part, with strong vertical lighting signatures on the sides that are connected with even more light, like a kind of upside-down photon mustache. Details on what is below are sparse, but we know that your electric powertrain will include four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.

The interior is what impresses us, however. The Celestiq’s electrochromic glass roof is divided into quadrants, with localized dimming that allows each occupant to choose the amount of light they want to come from above. The dashboard is sure to impress people with a pillar-to-pillar screen that spans the width of the vehicle. We are not sure when we will see the whole thing, but we are more excited than ever after having this early glimpse.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV teaser

Chevrolet’s first electric crossover will make its debut in February, alongside a revamped Bolt EV hatchback, and the Big Bowtie thought it best to launch us another teaser, this time involving some attractive technology.

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV will be the first Chevy vehicle to come equipped with GM’s Super Cruise driver assistance system. Super Cruise allows hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and monitors your attention with a camera to ensure your eyes stay on the road. The most recent teaser showed a dark Bolt EUV steering wheel with the LED light bar at 12 o’clock which signifies the presence of the Super Cruise.

Unfortunately, this system also won’t make its way to the updated Bolt EV, which will likely have a new look similar to what we saw in previous Bolt EUV teasers, with thinner and more aggressive headlights and taillights. It looks like the overall silhouette of the Bolt EV will translate well into a crossover, but it won’t be long before we’re sure.

GM EV Teasers

General Motors will launch a dozen new EVs in the coming years, divided into several makes and types of vehicles. To give us an idea of ​​what to expect, GM’s talk included a whole series of concepts hidden in the shadows.

O GMC Hummer EV it is in the front and in the center, flanked by Lyriq and Celestiq de Cadillac. The four vehicles at the back, however, don’t look like anything we’ve seen. On the right, there is what appears to be a bright red electric pickup truck that carries a Colorado-like footprint. On the left is a crossover that is rocking what appears to be the Corvette’s headlights, which could be our first preview of an upcoming Corvette SUV.

Anyway, this image makes our imagination work overtime, wondering what else GM has up its sleeve.

BrightDrop EV600

GM launched a new segment of its business, which he calls BrightDrop. It is about making business better through electrification and innovative technology, be it electric versions of vehicles used in logistics or the underlying infrastructure that fleet managers need to make everything work smoothly.

To give us an idea of ​​what to expect from BrightDrop, GM revealed the EV600 electric van concept. Running the same powertrain as that found on the GMC Hummer EV, the EV600 promises up to 250 miles of battery range, as well as a net storage capacity of 600 cubic feet. Its gross weight rating is less than 10,000 pounds and it will be able to reach 170 miles in an hour when connected to a 120 kW fast DC charger. It is also loaded with technology, such as a 13.4-inch infotainment system and motion sensors in the cargo area.

Scheduled to open later this year, GM has already promised the first 500 EV600 vans to FedEx. Other companies interested in electrifying their fleets will be able to purchase these stylish commercial vehicles in 2022. Other mid-range transportation solutions are also apparently being prepared .

BrightDrop EP1

GM’s BrightDrop also revealed a vehicle that is … just kind of a vehicle.

EP1 is an electric pallet capable of moving on its own. The idea here is that the EP1 would serve a short-range purpose, whether it be transporting cargo in a warehouse or between a delivery van and your porch. It is much better than using a wheelbarrow.

The EP1 has a built-in hub motor that drives the thing at speeds of up to 3 mph, which is your average walking pace. The speed can vary to keep pace with a person as well. It can handle up to 23 cubic feet and 200 pounds of cargo, with adjustable shelves and lockable doors for extra security. FedEx helped GM test EP1, and the logistics company found that its employees could handle 25% more packages in one day with EP1 at their side.