Cadillac set for electric Australasian launch

Cadillac looks set to launch into Australasia with a factory right-hand drive electric SUV EVs and Beyond has been led to believe.

And we expect the announcement of such plans to come soon.

Media from Australia and New Zealand visited the US last year to drive a range of GM electrified product, including the Lyriq, Silverado and Hummer EVs. Journalists were told at the time Cadillac was being considered for a return.

While General Motors most prominent brand in the region, Holden, has long departed these shores, the company has maintained a footprint with General Motor Special Vehicles, which has distributed a range of large pickup trucks, remanufactured in Australia, and the Corvette, sourced with the steering wheel on the correct side from the famous Bowling Green plant in Kentucky, USA.

They now look set to launch a model that while niche, could play in a more competitive and volume segment than now.

That car is the Lyriq, a mid-size luxury all-electric SUV, that in the US market competes with the likes of the Audi eTron, Lexus RZ450, and upper-end versions of the Ford Mustang and Tesla Model Y.

While the starting price in its home market is US$59,000, or around $98,000, comparing it to other market players our guess is the final price in New Zealand is more likely to be in the $120,000-$140,000 range.

What it brings to the party is a huge 100.4kWh battery, giving it a range in rear-wheel drive versions of 500km.

That rear-wheel drive version was the first to launch with a 254kW motor, while a 370kW all-wheel drive version is coming. Both dip into GM’s Ultium set of electric vehicle platform components.

Importantly, right-hand drive versions of the Lyriq have been spotted testing around GM’s Michigan base, meaning theoretically no expensive conversion would need to be undertaken. It is also being assembled ‘for Asia’ in China by SAIC-GM, part of the huge SAIC group that already sells right-hand drive EVs under the MG and LDV brands.

GMSV remains tight lipped on the possibility.

“We have not confirmed EVs for Australia or New Zealand and don’t have any announcements to share at this time,” spokesperson Ed Finn said in response to our queries.

Could it be a vehicle other than Lyriq headed here? Cadillac has two other electric vehicles confirmed as in the works, though not necessarily for us – including a BMW i7 rivalling saloon and an electric version of the massive Escalade SUV that some media have speculated could share its 177kWh battery with the Hummer EV.

Anything outside the Cadillac brand? Unlikely, initially at least. GM is unable to be able to fill domestic demand for the Silverado EV for some years to come. The Hummer EV is unlikely to work in any volume at this end of the world, and its sheer size and heft would cause regulatory issue.

Another possibility at the Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox EVs – mass market models that share the GM BEV3 platform with the Lyriq and Honda Prologue. The issue for GMSV is if they want to get into the true volume game, or remain a niche, higher margin player.

An industry analyst we spoke to also suggested launching Chevrolet at this end of the world with mass market cars could be seen as offensive to former Holden dealers, many of whom still ‘feel a bit raw’ over the brand’s demise.

Testing of the All-New Cadillac LYRIQ | Cadillac – YouTube

More about Lyriq

The external measurements of the Lyriq are 4,996 mm long, 1,977 mm wide, and 1,623 mm tall with a 3,094 mm wheelbase, as per Cadillac’s data. The curb weight stands at 2,545 kg while it offers a luggage capacity of 793 litres with the rear seats up, or 1,723 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

When accessible, the Lyriq can take advantage of public rapid charging facilities and receive charges at peak rates of 190 kW DC, which translates to an approximate 121 km of extra range from a 10-minute charge. On the other hand, domestic charging through a 22kW charging unit at 240 VAC can provide up to 83 km from a 60-minute charge.

The Lyriq’s efficiency is further enhanced by the company’s unique Regen-on-Demand technology that incorporates one-pedal driving. This technology allows the driver to control the degree of regenerative deceleration through a pressure-sensitive paddle situated on the steering wheel, which helps in energy recovery while decelerating.

The Lyriq’s Ultium chassis uses a five-link suspension at both front and rear, with braking taken care of by disc brakes that are 321 mm at the front and 345 mm at the rear. The standard wheelset includes 20-inch split-spoke alloy wheels shod in 265/50 tyres, with the option to upgrade to 22-inch split-spoke alloys fitted with 275/40 tyres.

Confirmed features for the Lyriq include the Super Cruise system, which allows for hands-off driving on specified North American routes, a 33-inch LED display panel capable of rendering over a billion colours, an active noise cancellation system, LED headlights with a ‘choreographed lighting sequence’, a high-quality 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system that includes headrest speakers, a Digital Key for vehicle access, and a two-tier charging cord.