Cadillac kicks off EV era with Lyriq SUV

CADILLAC has kicked off its electric age with the reveal of its zero-emissions Lyriq SUV, sporting the latest generation of the US luxury brand’s exterior styling and underpinned by General Motors’ new modular electric platform.

Revealed in preproduction guise, the Lyriq ushers in new technology for Cadillac while also debuting a new design language characterised by sharp lines and flowing surfaces.

From the front, the Lyriq’s fascia is dominated by a black, trapezoidal grille flanked by triangular side air intakes and a subtle black front bumper.

LED headlights are integrated into the front bumper with a range of lighting modules embedded into the grille and around the triangular air vents, while its large, wide alloy wheels and low, sloping roofline give the vehicle a sense of on-road purpose.

From the rear, the Lyriq has unique wraparound LED tail-lights that creep into the D-pillar, while the angular look of the front is replicated with vertical LED tail-light strips integrated into the rear bumper.

The Lyriq is underpinned by GM’s box-fresh modular electric vehicle platform set to be used on a raft of vehicles ranging from the new GMC Hummer to sportscars and hatches.

Powered by GM’s Ultium battery system which uses nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminium chemistry, the Lyriq will carry a circa-100kWh battery pack that will be used in a range of performance applications, with Cadillac aiming to offer over 480km (300 miles) of driving range.

Cadillac will offer the Lyriq with both single-motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor performance all-wheel drive, with the electric motors able to optimise grip and minimise wheelspin for ideal handling and dynamics.

This is also aided by the vehicle’s low centre of gravity – aided by the battery pack’s integration into the undercarriage – and a nearly 50:50 front/rear weight distribution.

The battery will also be capable of DC fast charging at rates of over 150kW, while its packaging eliminates nearly 90 per cent of battery wiring compared to previous GM EVs.

Cabin technology is also a point of focus for the Lyriq, underpinned by a single, curved 33-inch LED display comprising the instrument cluster and multimedia system, with Cadillac claiming the screen has the highest pixel density available in the industry.

An augmented-reality head-up display will also be included, while other tech highlights include simple battery and charging graphics and a self-parking feature that can work even without the driver inside the vehicle.

The Lyriq will also feature the Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance feature compatible with ore than 200,000 miles (321,000km) of American roads.

As a luxury brand, Cadillac will introduce a new noise-cancelling technology that uses additional microphones and accelerometers to better block out external noises.

GM North America executive vice-president Steve Carlisle said the Lyriq would be the tip of the iceberg for EVs from GM.

“Led by Lyriq, Cadillac will redefine American luxury over the next decade with a new portfolio of transformative EVs,” he said.

“We will deliver experiences that engage the senses, anticipate desires and enable our customers to go on extraordinary journeys.”