Cadillac debuts the Lyriq, its first all-electric crossover
Cadillac used a livestream event last night to reveal its first all-electric vehicle, the Lyriq. After teasing the sleek new crossover in January, Cadillac’s full unveiling shows that the renderings were dead-on. The proportions are skewed more towards those of a sporty wagon than a boxy SUV, and the specs are promising.
With approximately 100 kWh of nickle-manganese-cobalt-aluminum battery power, the Lyriq will boast 300+ miles of range and offer fast-charging up to at least 150 kWh. Its Ultium battery pack is tied into the chassis, below the interior floorplan, creating a stiff platform. That also results in a low center of gravity and a 50/50 weight balance. Cadillac promises sporty handling, reflected in the crossover’s standard rear-wheel-drive. Performance all-wheel-drive will be optional.
The Lyriq is the first model that’s we’ve seen fully uncovered that will use GM’s new flexible vehicle architecture and Ultium batteries, which allow for Level 2 and fast DC charging (it’s also the first model to use Cadillac’s new naming scheme). The charging port is cleverly hidden in the driver-side cowl area, behind the fender.
Pushing the envelope for technology at Cadillac, the Lyric will offer Super Cruise driver assistance and remote self-parking. From the driver’s seat, a curved, 33-inch digital dash displays navigation, range, and other gauge information. Rear-seat passengers get their own video screens mounted on the back of the front seats. To amp up the luxury vibes, Cadillac reached out to AKG for a 19-speaker audio system.
Cadillac had previously announced that the Lyriq will be built at the company’s Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant alongside the GMC Hummer pickup. However, the EV crossover’s reveal did not contain an on-sale date. We hope that its launch will mirror the upcoming Hummer’s, and perhaps beat the pickup to market, since that the GMC isn’t expected until late 2021.
Compared to the ELR—the plug-in-hybrid entry that represented Cadillac’s previous foray into the upscale electric market—the Lyriq seems much closer to what most new-car customers want: a comfortable, powerful, tall crossover with a rakish profile. With the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model Y already establishing themselves in the premium EV market, the Lyriq will rely heavily on its impressive stats and handsome looks to win new customers. Will Cadillac start its electric revolution by wooing the brand’s current owners, or will it succeed in poaching customers from the competition?
