Yet another new brand enters the Australian market but this time, it’s a legacy automaker that’s been overhauled within an electrified product line-up. Yes, after many attempts, Cadillac is coming back to Australia and this time, it’s going to be an all-electric brand with a diverse range of crossovers and SUVs. To be launched in 2024, Cadillac will officially start sales with its Lyriq EV SUV and will surely follow up with the new Optiq SUV and Escalade IQ Plus.
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The Lyriq sits between the two and is a from-factory, right-hand drive car made in the US at the brand’s Tennessee plant. We’ll receive the top-spec dual motor configuration with the highest equipment levels from the start with a single-motor variant potentially joining the line-up moving forward. However, if you are thinking that the Lyriq would be seen on the same showroom floor as the upcoming GMC, then you’d be wrong as Cadillac will be sold via bespoke boutique outlets and through the direct-to-consumer method just like Volkswagen Group’s Cupra brand. Hence, Cadillac cars will not be sold in General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) showrooms.
This car represents the new wave of all-electric Cadillacs with a rakish design language and sharp-edged design ethos. Based on the ‘Ultium’ electric platform, the Lyriq will come in all-wheel drive form with dual motors. And while Australian numbers are yet to be confirmed, expect 373kW and 610Nm alongside a big 102kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 530km of range per charge.
The Lyriq is also well equipped with a massive 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display dominating the cabin, noise cancellation technology, a digital key, and a standard 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system with headrest speakers. That said, it remains to be seen whether the ‘Super Cruise’ hands-free driver-assistance feature will make it to our shores.
In terms of size and price, the Lyriq will compete head-on with European SUV rivals like the BMW iX and the Mercedes EQE with a length of 5005mm. However, it will surely beat them on price with a sub $130,000 price tag expected as indicated by the US starting price of USD$64,990. The last time that Cadillac was sold here was way back in the 1960s and despite many attempts, it’s finally coming here although not without big lazy V8s but with something much more interesting.
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