Cadillac is actually the epitome of lavish internal combustion engines. But those times will soon be over. The new Lyriq shows what the future of the brand will look like.
With the series version of the Lyriq electric SUV, the General Motors subsidiary has now presented the first concrete harbinger of its comprehensive electrification strategy. From 2030, the luxury brand no longer wants to sell cars with internal combustion engines. The electric SUV, which can be ordered in the USA from September 2022 and later also in Germany, shows what the alternative looks like.
The electric vehicle, which is around five meters long and costs the equivalent of around 50.000 euros for US customers, will be based on the new 800-volt Ultium platform, in the bottom of which there is a 100 kWh battery for a range of almost 500 kilometers. With 190 kW charging capacity, the battery can fill up with electricity for a range of 120 kilometers in ten minutes. The Ultium architecture enables various drive combinations. So far, Cadillac has presented a rear-engined variant with 225 kW / 340 hp and 440 Newton meters of torque. Mileage is not mentioned.
Visually, the Lyriq is a further development of the current Cadillac line. A new feature is a black, high-gloss surface instead of the radiator grille, behind which a multitude of fine LED light strips are hidden, with which animated sequences can be displayed. The fine strips of the LED taillights also consist of many segments that enable dynamic play of light.
The inside of the Lyriq is very tidy. There is an extra-wide 33-inch display, which serves as an instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and as an infotainment screen to the right of it. Other special features are a head-up display and noise suppression.
Cadillac will continue to be represented in Europe and accordingly distribute the Lyriq in Germany. The Americans have not yet revealed a point in time.
