The Cadillac of EVs - New Lyriq Ushers in a New Era of American Cars

Originally published in the October 2020 issue of South Florida Business & Wealth
There was a time, not so long ago, when the best of anything was referred to as the “Cadillac” of its category. The brand stood as the pinnacle of American luxury, automotive style and opulence. To be sure, the Cadillac marque still boasts some impressive nameplates, like the flagship Escalade, but in recent years, the shine has dulled on its luxury crown. With the all-new Lyriq, Cadillac is aiming to once again reign supreme.

Lyriq, an all-electric crossover vehicle, is more than just a new model in the Cadillac lineup. It sets the stage for what’s to come out of Detroit, and it’s not what you think. While other American brands are competing to see who can build the most rugged, testosterone-driven trucks, SUVs and muscle cars, Cadillac is building its future on elegance, technology, and finesse. Lyriq won’t be available in dealerships until late 2022 as a 2023 model, but anticipation is building for what could be a legitimate rival for Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-tron. Early estimates suggest that Lyriq pricing will start just below $60,000.

“Lyriq leverages more than a century of innovation to drive the brand into a new era, while rewarding passengers with a more personal, connected and immersive experience,” said Jamie Brewer, Cadillac Lyriq chief engineer. “To do this we developed an architecture specifically for EVs. It is not only an exceptional EV, but first and foremost a Cadillac.”

First and Foremost a Cadillac

Lyric debuted in August as a “show car,” meaning that what you’ll see online is close – about 80 percent – to what you’ll see in the actual production model. Technology is artfully integrated into the vehicle, and takes you on a sensory journey from the moment you approach. Others may greet drivers with a projected logo “puddle lamp” on the ground, but Lyric recognizes its driver with a choreographed lighting sequence that starts with the illuminated Cadillac crest, continues through the horizontal LED lamps that span the grill, and finally around the headlamps. All the while the cabin is prepared to the driver’s specific seat, mirror, and climate preferences.

Slipping inside, you’re greeted with a symphony of light, colors, and textures that are as much fashion as they are car design. The simple, spacious interior seats four, and there is a touchscreen for rear passengers. Sculpted surfaces feature uninterrupted lines and a contrast of cool metals and warm wood, with an intelligent design language that perfectly combines form and function. A curved, 33-inch display encompasses both the driver’s gauge display and the infotainment system, and boasts the highest pixel density in the industry, capable of displaying over one billion colors. Backlit speakers, hidden storage cubbies, and orchestrated lighting features add to the delight. The soundtrack for your drive – via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or satellite radio – reverberates through a 19-speaker AKG audio system.

Driving Excellence

General Motors’ new Ultium battery system will power the Lyriq, and supports level one, level two, and DC fast charging options. A single charge will power the Lyriq over 300 miles, making range anxiety a thing of the past. While horsepower and acceleration figures haven’t been released yet, electric motors generally deliver an immediate, brisk response. Lyriq will come rear-wheel-drive standard, with optional all-wheel drive.

The drive experience is designed to be seamless, and endowed with a bevy of driver-assistance features, including Cadillac’s Super Cruise autonomous driving technology, a lane-change on-demand feature, and a dual-plane head-up display for navigation and driver alerts.

“Led by Lyriq, Cadillac will redefine American luxury over the next decade,” said Steve Carlisle, executive vice president and president, GM North America. “We will deliver experiences that engage the senses, anticipate desires and enable our customers to go on extraordinary journeys.”

The new Lyriq will redefine the Cadillac brand – and awaken senses you didn’t know you had.