---
title: "Mid-Engined Cadillac Convertible? Leaked Key Fob Hints at Corvette-Based Droptop Caddy"
description: "New evidence suggests a convertible Cadillac cousin to the C8 Chevrolet Corvette could be in the works."
date: "2018-11-07"
modified: "2018-11-08"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/24762/mid-engined-cadillac-convertible-leaked-key-fob-hints-at-corvette-based-droptop-caddy"
categories:
  - "Cadillac News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Cadillac"
  - "Convertible"
  - "Corvette"
  - "key"
  - "Leaked"
  - "Mid-Engined"
---

# Mid-Engined Cadillac Convertible? Leaked Key Fob Hints at Corvette-Based Droptop Caddy

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/11/hero-key-new.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Even in an age where the internet has made product leaks an unavoidable facet of the car business, there are still plenty of secrets lurking out there. And while GM's plans for the upcoming mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette [have been about as subtle](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/9802/corvette-factory-closing-to-visitors-until-late-2018>) as, well, [a mid-engined Corvette,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23395/watch-a-camouflaged-c8-mid-engined-corvette-roar-around-the-nurburgring>)

 *The Drive* has obtained pictures that suggest a Cadillac version might be in the works as well. Is this the return of the Cadillac XLR?

First, the alleged proof. A tipster sent over three photos of a mysterious key fob, a nondescript chunk of plastic with seven buttons crammed on the front and a modern Cadillac badge on the back. But there are several important clues here. Aside from the customary lock/unlock, trunk open, and remote start features, the bottom-left chicklet shows a convertible roof in action. More curiously, the button directly above that appears to represent a front trunk opening, something that's only possible with a mid-engined, hybrid, or electric powertrain layout.

![message-editor%2F1541620801271-inline1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1541620801271-inline1.jpg>)
**Supplied**

In keeping with GM's [habit of sharing fonts and icons](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/21016/2018-chevrolet-corvette-carbon-65-grand-sport-edition-review-into-the-clouds-in-a-100000-vette>) between brands, the wedge-shaped car silhouette on the buttons is the very same one GM used on C7 Corvette key fobs. Then there's the fact that the shape and design key fob itself doesn't appear to line up with any existing Cadillac product.

![message-editor%2F1541620819610-inline2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1541620819610-inline2.jpg>)
**Supplied**

There's also a third photo with some serial numbers visible. We reached out to Cadillac and GM for more information on the pictures, and we'll update if we hear back. This is all circumstantial evidence—but it does suggest a convertible Cadillac cousin to the C8 Corvette could be in the works.

![message-editor%2F1541620940622-inline3.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1541620940622-inline3.jpg>)
**Supplied**

That said, there are some hefty caveats to consider here. Compare its busy, unpolished look and separated buttons to [the current Cadillac fob design;](<https://www.carandtruckremotes.com/2018-cadillac-xt5-smart-remote-key-fob.html>) it's entirely possible that this is some sort of universal test fob whose functions aren't tied to the icons on the buttons. Perhaps it's a rough mockup of the real C8 Corvette fob with a Cadillac badge to throw eager journalists for a loop. Or maybe it does signal an upcoming Cadillac convertible, but one [with a hybrid or entirely electric powertrain](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23628/cadillac-pumps-the-brakes-on-diesel-to-focus-on-electric>) to differentiate it from from the roaring, mid-engined 'Vette.

Again, all speculation. But things are in flux at Cadillac, and its transformation from the fading standard of plush elegance to a modern luxury performance marque hasn't been without its growing pains. Slowing sales of its sedan-heavy portfolio [sent CEO Johan de Nysschen packing in April,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/20247/cadillac-ceo-johan-de-nysschen-steps-down>) its ambitious "Book by Cadillac" car-subscription program will disrupt itself out of business by year's end, and the bread-and-butter Escalade is losing out to the [reborn Lincoln Navigator.](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/16898/2018-lincoln-navigator-review-the-navi-shakes-its-old-guy-image>) It's also done with its New York experiment, [having announced its return to Detroit earlier this fall.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23943/five-reasons-why-cadillac-is-leaving-new-york-city-for-detroit>)

So after teasing glorious, futuristic concepts like the Elmiraj and the Ciel for years, conditions might finally be right for that kind of moonshot. It just remains to be seen whether Cadillac will take it.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)