The Cadillac Escala concept has been revealed at Pebble Beach as a model that offers a glimpse into the future design direction of the manufacturer. The concept is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.2-litre V8 that can run on just four cylinders thanks to cylinder-on-demand technology.

The four-door concept is built upon the rear-wheel-drive platform of the CT6 but ditches that car’s sedan boot for a liftback design. The body is more than 5.3m long, making it around 10cm longer than a Mercedes-Benz S-class.  The exterior appears to gently evolve the look of the CT6. At a glance, the car’s silhouette looks nearly identical, but on closer inspection, the concept’s slimmer front and rear light designs, and sleeker rear roofline set it apart from the production model.

The Escala sits on 22-inch alloy wheels that are housed under swelled arches, giving it significantly more road presence than the CT6, while a cleaner boot design and handleless doors add to the car’s luxury image.

Inside, the Escala features a concept interior, first revealed earlier this week, that incorporates an OLED dash display split across multiple screens and offering internet-connected information. OLED technology enables the use of thin, curved screens, which help maximise interior design potential. The displays are also super-high resolution compared with TFT screens. The system’s services include calendar integration and 3D satellite navigation. These functions make the dash look like Cadillac’s answer to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. It’s said to preview in-car technology that’ll be fitted in future production models.