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The Cadillac LYRIQ: Poetry in Electric Motion?

Photo Credit: Cadillac/General Motors


 Luxury automobile brand Cadillac launched in 1902 when the motor vehicle industry was still in its infancy. Some of the most basic details of the automobile were still coming into form including what would be the preferred manner of propulsion for the new machines. Gasoline vehicles including Cadillac’s offerings competed against steam as well as a very solid challenger being the electric car. Although electricity lost the early days of the industry, the ongoing second century for the automobile is falling into the favour of electric vehicles. Building its reputation of American prestige and elegance with gasoline engines, Cadillac plans to embark on their first vehicle powered through the propulsion they once defeated. Cadillac’s new LYRIQ is designed to allow the luxury marque to explore the uncharted fully electric vehicle future.

A stylish premium crossover utility vehicle, the show car representation of the Cadillac LYRIQ exhibits new depths of details for American vehicle technology and driving comfort from a long-established company. Maintaining Cadillac’s luxury image customers have grown to expect with the badge, the LYRIQ is based an all-new General Motors platform dedicated towards the creation of an electric vehicle. Available with a rear-wheel and an all-wheel drivetrain option, the LYRIQ’s electrified platform features solid handling related to 50/50 weight distribution.

Photo Credit: Cadillac/General Motors


Engineered as a balanced, responsive and stable platform, the underpinnings developed for the Cadillac LYRIQ is based around the company’s Ultium battery technology. General Motors’ Ultium battery features a nickel-cobalt-manganese-aluminum chemistry touting a revolutionary design promoting simplicity as well as minimizing the use of cobalt. One of the rare-earth materials linked to many modern electronics, cobalt content in the Ultium battery system is more than 70 percent lower General Motors’ previous battery packs. Capacity for the battery pack used on the LYRIQ is estimated at roughly 100 kilowatt-hours effective in propelling the all-electric crossover vehicle to distances greater than 300 miles on a single charge. 

Advanced technology of the Cadillac LYRIQ is also profiled inside an ultramodern cabin. Having recently introduced the new generation Escalade with a curved OLED instrument panel, the LYRIQ also makes use of a highly vivid display. Measuring 33 inches diagonally (just five inches smaller than the display featured in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade), the advanced LED screen installed in the LYRIQ is advertised to show more than a billion colours delivering vital vehicle information including battery monitoring to the driver in high detail. A dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display and a 19-speaker AGK Studio audio system are also offered inside the Cadillac LYRIQ’s interior featuring road noise cancelling technology.


Photo Credit: Cadillac/General Motors


Forward-looking electric vehicle technology of the LYRIQ is complemented by futuristic self-driving assistance technologies. Cadillac’s Super Cruise allows limited hands-free driving on 200,000 miles of highways. An automated lane change feature is also included with the Super Cruise technology. The Cadillac LYRIQ show car also introduces a remote parking system. Under the supervision of the driver, the electric-powered crossover can park itself either through standard drive-in or parallel parking spots using various ultrasonic sensors. Although several automobiles already features automated systems capable of performing assisted parking, the remote system provides a driver the option to park without sitting inside the vehicle. Prior to the LYRIQ, the Chevrolet Bolt EV concept car advertised a nearly identical system. The latest unveiling of the Cadillac LYRIQ is released with the caveat that some features may not be included in the production model of the all-electric premium crossover vehicle.

Readjusting Cadillac’s luxury image to an all-electric platform, designers of the LYRIQ achieve an aggressive yet clean premium look. Sleek body panels, low roof line and a sporty rear window flanked by a re-imagined interpretation of Cadillac’s trademark taillights. At the front of the Cadillac LYRIQ, the premium automaker’s face is recreated by a black crystal grille decorated with a long pattern of slim LED lighting. “LYRIQ was conceived to make every journey exhilarating and 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,” commented the chief engineer of the Cadillac LYRIQ Jamie Brewer.


Photo Credit: Cadillac/General Motors


The Cadillac LYRIQ is one of two new premium electric vehicles General Motors has been hyping during 2020. The relaunch of the HUMMER name under the GMC division is set for production fall of 2021 using similar powertrain technology as the LYRIQ. Originally set for May but rescheduled due to the priority of the ongoing global health pandemic, the GMC Hummer EV is planned for a full unveiling in this fall. 


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