ALL IN FOR ELECTRIC
American luxury brand’s first pure EV will herald exciting new direction for design
Here it is — the Cadillac of EVs. The luxury brand’s first all-electric vehicle is called the Lyriq, and it was revealed to the world during a virtual presentation from General Motors’ headquarters in Michigan.
It’s also the first GM model using the BEV3, the third-generation EV platform that features the automaker’s all-new Ultium batteries that support 800volt technology and allow for charging up to 350 kilowatts.
You won’t get to that level of charging in the Lyriq, but there are a few charging options, including Level 1 and Level 2 up to 19 kilowatts and DC fast charging at over 150 kilowatts. Two drivetrains will be available: a base rear-wheel-drive model and an all-wheel-drive performance model.
The Lyriq’s full-charge range is expected to be in the vicinity of 480 kilometres. The new Ultium battery system will offer approximately 100 kilowatt-hours of energy, and features a unique battery chemistry using nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum. According to GM, the cobalt content is reduced by more than 70 per cent compared to current GM batteries. The battery is packed in large, flat pouch cells that enable smart module construction to reduce complexity and simplify cooling. Additionally, the battery electronics are built into the modules, eliminating nearly 90 per cent of the battery-pack wiring compared to GM’s current electric vehicles.
The platform also allows for a very low centre of gravity, and the Lyriq is well balanced with a 50/50 weight distribution, according to Cadillac.
Just as the drivetrain technology is a first for a Cadillac, there are a number of on-board technological firsts in the Lyriq, most notably a 33-inch-diagonal LED display that spans the driver’s field of sight and provides driver information, infotainment controls and camera views. Cadillac says it features the highest pixel density in the automotive industry and can display over a billion colours — 64 times more than its closest competitor.
There’s also what Cadillac calls a “dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display.” In layman’s terms, that would be a two-level HUD with the near level showing typical info (speed, direction, etc.) and a second level that displays transparent navigation signals and other alerts.
The Lyriq will come with the latest version of Cadillac’s Super Cruise, a hands-free assistance feature that will have automated lane-change ability. And the Lyriq will have a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio set up.
Just as Nissan did with its upcoming all-electric Ariya, Cadillac has reimagined its exterior design language with the Lyriq, signalling what future Cadillac EVs will look like. Most notable are a “black crystal” grille and vertical, slim LED signature lighting up front, and a split tail-lamp design incorporating slim LEDs at the rear. Another interesting design feature that is both artful and functional is the vented roof spoiler, another first for a Cadillac.
The Lyriq is the first of a number of upcoming Cadillac EVs, all part of parent company General Motors’ lofty promise of no fewer than 20 all-electrics for sale globally by 2023. As of today, they have one: the Chevrolet Bolt.
Next up for Cadillac will be the Celestiq flagship sedan, and though unnamed, we do know there are three SUVs/CUVs following that halo vehicle: a compact similar in size to the XT4, a three-row mid-sized along the XT6 lines, and an Escalade-sized EV. We also know that Cadillac has made two name trademark filings — Optiq and Symboliq — presumably as part of its “iq” naming convention EV stable.
Speaking of names, there are also rumours going around that GM is considering breaking away its entire EV lineup to create a new brand around those zero-emission vehicles.
The Lyriq joins a growing number of all-new, all-electric SUVs/ CUVs coming soon to Canada, a list that includes the already here Tesla Model Y, the Ford Mustang Mach-e (coming early next year), the Polestar 2 (available in the coming months), the Volvo XC40 Recharge (expected by the end of the year), the recently revealed Nissan Ariya (coming later next year) and the Mazda MX-3 (sometime next year).
Cadillac’s first EV is set to launch in the U.S. in late 2022 as a 2023 model. Canadian pricing and availability will be released at a later date.