Cadillac Australia thinks one sizzling electrical SUV is sufficient for now

Cadillac will quickly reveal the Optiq-V, which can be solely the third SUV and the second electrical car to put on its vaunted V-Sequence efficiency nameplate.

And it gained’t be coming right here.

“No, [Optiq-V isn’t] coming right here. We’ll have a Lyriq-V,” GM Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala informed CarExpert.

“We haven’t finished a V-Sequence right here earlier than, so we need to assess that one first after which now we have to take a look at totally different laws inside battery architectures and issues like that.

“So we’ll begin with Lyriq-V, and we’ll proceed to evaluate if there are alternatives that come up.”

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As each an electrical SUV and a member of the V-Sequence line, the Optiq-V is anticipated to get a extra highly effective dual-motor all-wheel drive electrical powertrain than the common Optiq, which is due on sale right here in 2026.

The bigger Lyriq-V can also be due right here in 2026.

Basic Motors’ luxurious model has but to substantiate powertrain particulars for the Optiq-V, not too long ago releasing solely a pair of teaser pictures, however it says its engineers have “delivered a novel bundle prioritising precision, dynamic suspension and tight steering for an exhilarating driving expertise”.

The common dual-motor all-wheel drive Optiq produces 224kW of energy and 480Nm of torque, with energy provided by an 85kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) lithium-ion battery.

It options strut entrance suspension, and as with the bigger Lyriq there’s a five-link rear suspension system and Passive Plus Dampers all spherical.

Seen adjustments evident from Cadillac’s two teaser pictures embody V-Sequence badging and a rear spoiler, although we’d additionally count on different aesthetic upgrades to incorporate extra aggressive rocker panels and distinctive wheels.

The Optiq-V will slot in beneath the Lyriq-V – a minimum of within the US market – with the bigger SUV that includes a dual-motor electrical powertrain producing 459kW and 880Nm.

Cadillac claims a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of simply 3.3 seconds in V-Mode or Velocity Max mode.

That simply shades the three.4-second dash time of the supercharged V8-powered CT5-V Blackwing sedan when geared up with an computerized transmission, regardless of being down 40kW and 13Nm and weighing extra.

The Lyriq-V pumps out an additional 71kW and 270Nm over the common dual-motor Lyriq, although it doesn’t acquire Magnetic Journey Management like different V-badged fashions inside Cadillac’s lineup. As a substitute, it options normal Steady Damping Management.

Modifications over the common Lyriq embody a faster steering ratio, Brembo entrance brakes, a brand new synthetic propulsion sound, and new Aggressive and customisable V-Mode drive modes.

Whereas it’s fast, it’s fairly totally different from the historically V8-powered fashions which have worn the V-Sequence nameplate through the years.

Cadillac’s first V-Sequence mannequin was the 2004 CTS-V sedan, which featured an overhead-valve 5.7-litre V8 (later a 6.0-litre) shared with the Chevrolet Corvette, mated with a six-speed handbook transmission.

It was quickly joined by the STS-V sedan and XLR-V convertible, which used a supercharged model of Cadillac’s Northstar overhead-cam V8, mated with a six-speed computerized.

These lasted a single technology, however the CTS-V went for 2 extra generations, each with supercharged V8 energy.

V-Sequence fashions have been later joined by tamer VSport fashions, which swapped V8 energy for twin-turbocharged V6 engines. That stated, not each hardcore V-Sequence mannequin has packed a bent eight, with the BMW M3-rivalling ATS-V for instance being the primary V with a twin-turbo V6.

In recent times, Cadillac revised its V-Sequence technique, rolling out fashions just like the CT4-V and CT5-V which might be much less highly effective than earlier Vs – the CT4-V even encompasses a four-cylinder engine, a primary for a V-Sequence – however changing the full-fat ATS-V and CTS-V fashions with new CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing fashions.

It additionally launched the primary ever Escalade-V, the primary time the V-Sequence identify has been used on an SUV.

So far, the extra hardcore Blackwing nameplate hasn’t graced an electrical car.