The Detroit automaker, General Motors, is all-in on electric cars. GM has had some success with its Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle. But this time they enter the arena with a proper Tesla rival: the Cadillac Lyriq. This luxury electric SUV introduces a new generation of battery technology, dynamic styling, and Cadillac’s latest technology features.
It almost resembles the pre-production version of Cadillac from 2020. But there are some new prominent features that protrude when compared to the older version.
The Lyriq rides on multi-link independent suspension at all four corners, using passive plus shocks. Braking is provided by large 17-inch rotors at the front and 18-inch units at the back, welcome additions for the 5,610-pound EUV.
Pricing of the Lyriq will start at $60000, including destination charges, but excluding taxes and dealer fees, and all the options that Cadillac will surely propose. More details will come ahead of production, which is expected to begin in early 2022.
The Lyriq will feature all of Cadillac’s current tech stratagems, plus a few more. The Super Cruise system, which allows for hands-free driving on the highway under certain conditions, will be part of Lyriq’s feature list. Another eminent feature includes an automated parking system that can be activated from outside the car. There’s also a two-tier head-up display. The close-up tier shows classic head-up info such as speed, while the distance tier can project information such as lane change availability and navigation alerts
Engine & Performance Cadillac Lyriq
In terms of performance, Cadillac says the Lyriq will come in both a standard rear-wheel-drive configuration and a ‘performance’ all-wheel-drive option. Drive to the rear wheels is provided by one of GM’s Ultrium Drive motors that will appear more frequently in their upcoming SUVs.The battery supposedly contains fewer rare-earth materials than current GM batteries and is less complex to manufacture.
That electric motor endows the Lyriq with 225 kW (340 hp) and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft), which should mean the automobile will be appropriately quick. And with the Ultium battery pack positioned low to the ground and a near 50/50 weight balance, the EUV must handle decently well too.
Charging & Economy of Cadillac Lyriq
The Lyriq will DC fast-charge at up to 190 kW, which Cadillac says will add 122 km of range in 10 minutes, or 313 km in 30 minutes. Charging at home via 240 V AC power adds 50 km of range per hour at 11.5 kW, and Cadillac will also sell a 19.2 kW, 100 A, 240 V AC home charger that can add 84 km an hour.
So far there’s been no word on the Lyriq’s estimated fuel economy, but we can expect that to become available closer to the SUV’s on-sale date.
Interiror & Comfort in Cadillac Lyriq
Talking about the interiors of the Lyriq, it is nearly unchanged from 2020’s pre-production version. The interior comes in gray or black with a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system and noise cancellation attached to the aristocratic SUV. The centerpiece is a huge curved digital instrument panel and a 33-inch diagonal LED touchscreen display that’s similar to the one in the recently made SUVs.Beyond that, not much inside is reminiscent of any other Cadillac. The airy interior is decorated with knurled metal on the controls and a laser-etched, backlit wood veneer on the doors. Slim air vents and a low dashboard further contribute to the impression of rarity and luxury. The main differences that Cadillac pointed out were a rear bench seat that can fit three, rather than two and the fact that the show car only had a single cup holder in the center console compared to two for the production version. Overall, the Lyriq appears to be far more modern than anything else in the Cadillac lineup.
Only two colors, a silver and a black will be available, to begin with, and another silver will come in the forthcoming. Let’s imagine more colors will be offered on later Lyriq models.
There’s also a pretty interesting lighting element in the rear, with traditional tail lights on the upper half of the body and angular LEDs on the lower half.
Booking & Warranty of Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac will start taking reservations this September for the Lyriq. Production begins in the first quarter of 2022 with deliveries following soon after.
Doubts regarding the warranty and maintenance have been cleared by the industrial tycoons recently. The limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles, and the Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles.
So if you have your eyes on the upcoming Cadillac masterpiece consider the details and wait for the official pre-booking announcement.
2023 Cadillac Lyriq at a Glance
| PRICE | $60000 |
| LAYOUT | Rear Motor,5-pass, 4-door SUV |
| ENGINE | 340-hp / 325-lb-ft permanent magnet electric motor |
| TRANSMISSION | 1-speed auto |
| CURB WEIGHT | 5610 lb |
| WHEELBASE | 121.8 in |
| L × W × H | 196.7 x 77.8 x 63.9 in |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.4 sec |
| ON SALE | First Half of 2022 |
