New Cadillac Lyriq Is A Sexy Preview Of Brand’s First Electric SUV Coming In 2022

Cadillac has finally revealed the new Lyriq, a show car created to preview the brand’s first fully electric luxury crossover that’s scheduled to go on sale in 2022.

We asked Cadillac just how close the study is to the production model with a spokesperson telling us that, while “there will be changes to the production version, it’s about 80-85% production intent”. We were also informed that it’s closer in size to the Cadillac XT5 (189.5 in. or 4,813 mm long) than to the XT6 (198.8 in. or 5,050 mm).

A new modular platform

The Cadillac Lyric is based on GM’s next-generation modular EV platform and is powered by the brand’s upcoming ‘Ultium’ electric powertrain family which will offer more than 300 miles of driving range in its top 100kWh battery spec.

The carmaker also adds that the new Lyric is compatible with up to 150 kW DC fast-charging and Level 2 charging rates of up to 19 kW. Customers will be offered both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.

Read Also: Cadillac To Offer Five EVs Including A Model That “Builds On The DNA” Of The Escalade

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

Look at that gigantic display

One of the biggest highlights of the new Cadillac Lyriq is of course that massive 33-inch LED single-piece display that spans over the majority of the dashboard’s length, offering driver information details, infotainment controls, and camera views. Cadillac says that their new display has actually the highest pixel density in the automotive industry today, featuring over a billion colors -64 times more than any vehicle- to provide a truly stunning in-vehicle experience.

There’s also a new dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced heads-up display: the near plane indicates information like speed, direction, and more while the far plane shows transparent navigation signals and other important alerts. And of course, the Cadillac Lyriq will also feature the latest version of the company’s Super Cruise, the industry’s first truly hands-free driver assistance system.

Cadillac will also introduce a new road noise cancellation technology, which uses more microphones and accelerometers than before. The new system will be able to cancel the frequency range of tire cavity noise, allowing for a peaceful in-cabin experience.

A new design era for Cadillac

The body of the new Cadillac Lyriq is defined by clean surfaces and strong lines, featuring a low roofline and wide stance. Most carmakers would outright call it a “Coupe SUV” these days. The front end is dominated by the so-called ‘black crystal’ grille, which also serves as part of the lighting choreography the Lyriq can perform in different scenarios.

“The Lyriq represents the next iteration of the iconic brand’s styling, enabled by electrification, as only Cadillac can express,” said Andrew Smith, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. “Inside and out, Lyriq is a thoughtful integration of design and technology and is intended to make every drive an occasion.”

A battery that requires much less cobalt

GM’s new Ultium battery system features the latest nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum (NCMA) chemistry, which uses aluminum in the cathode to reduce the need for rare-earth materials such as cobalt. GM claims that their new battery requires 70 percent less cobalt when compared to current GM batteries. In addition, the battery electronics are incorporated directly into the modules, eliminating nearly 90 percent of the battery pack wiring.

Production and sales start in 2022 with a competitive price

The new Cadillac Lyriq will morph into the brand’s first electric SUV in 2022, entering the luxury SUV segment with a footprint similar to that of the XT5.

While it’s too early to know what it’ll cost, Cadillac told Carscoops that it will be competitively priced, not only against EVs, but conventional gas-powered SUVs too. “We aren’t announcing pricing at this time but we are designing this vehicle to be competitive in the luxury SUV/crossover segment regardless of the propulsion system (ICE or EV),” said a Cadillac spokesperson.