Cadillac Unveils The Brand's First Electric Vehicle, The Lyriq EV

With rival companies like Ford, Mercedes, and Audi already offering their own electric vehicles, Cadillac has arrived a little late to the EV party but it has done so with style. The American brand has unveiled the Lyriq EV which is the brand's first electric vehicle and the first of any GM product to use the new modular electric platform, powered by the company's Ultium long-range batteries.But let's start by how stunning the Lyriq looks, Cadillac’s first electric SUV makes a bold design statement that introduces a new face, proportion, and presence for the brand’s new generation of EVs.Defined by taut lines and clean surfaces, Lyriq is assertive and modern, characterized with a low, fast roofline and wide stance that emphasize agility and convey confidence. Additional details such as a flow-through roof spoiler express the careful attention paid to aerodynamics to optimize efficiency on the highway.There is a distinctive “black crystal” grille in the front which is one of Lyriq's most unique and expressive design elements. It is also a dynamic feature, as it is part of a dramatic lighting choreography that — along with bold vertical, slim LED signature lighting — greets the owner upon approach.At the rear, a split taillamp design incorporates slim LEDs that are also integrated into the lighting choreography. From what we can tell, some of those features – like the headlights and mirrors – aren't production-ready. Cadillac says that the Lyriq pictured here is a prototype that's about 85 percent finished.Inside, the Lyriq has one of the largest infotainment displays anywhere. A 33.0-inch-diagonal LED display sits front and center, and it's a single, massive screen that extends from behind the steering wheel to the center of the dash.This new display has the highest pixel density available in the automotive industry today and can display over one billion colors, 64 times more than any other vehicle in the automotive industry, providing a stunning in-vehicle experience unlike anything seen before from Cadillac.The Lyriq EV is powered by the company's Ultium long-range batteries, the car has a 100-kilowatt-hour setup that gives it 300 miles (482 Km) of range and it is capable of 150-kilowatt DC fast charging, with a Level 2 charging rate of up to 19 kW. The lower center of gravity and near 50/50 weight distribution enabled by the placement of the battery pack results in a vehicle that’s sporty, responsive, and allows for spirited driving.Additionally, the Lyriq is driven primarily by the rear wheels, with a performance all-wheel-drive option available. The placement of the drive motor at the rear of the vehicle contributes an even greater feeling of balance and agility.  It also enables the system to channel more torque to the pavement without wheelspin for exhilarating acceleration and greater cornering capability. While this show car represents 80-85% of production-intent, the launch of the Lyriq EV is still two years away.