Cadillac Ventures Further Into Electrification With the 2025 Optiq
Introducing the next Cadillac EV.
Half a decade or so ago, the Cadillac group was stretching its proverbial legs and attempting to lure younger buyers to the brand. The vehicles developed to help with this initiative were a pair of luxury crossovers, the subcompact XT4 and compact XT5. Now, as Cadillac ventures further into its campaign of electrification, the two models that must shoulder a lot of the responsibility for its success are the recently released Lyriq and the forthcoming Optiq.
The Lyriq is considered either a compact or midsize crossover, depending on the source, while the Optiq slots in under its sibling as a new entry in the subcompact luxury EV segment. Its wheelbase is some 150 millimetres shorter than the Lyriq’s, but its innovative design has resulted in best-in-class second-row passenger room and cargo capacity.
The all-electric powertrain of the Optiq centres around an 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a dual-motor drive propulsion system that gives the crossover full-time all-wheel drive. Estimated output for this set-up rolls in at 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The manufacturer estimates that a fully charged battery will provide an estimated 482 kilometres of range, a more than healthy amount compared to the competitive set.
Not only that, due to the impressive power and torque figures and its relatively small stature, the Optiq may well provide above-average excitement behind the wheel.
“With near-instantaneous torque, Optiq delivers a unique and spirited driving experience, says chief engineer John Cockburn. “The Ultium Drive System allows us to package enough muscle into a smaller package to provide a thrilling performance, delivering a sensation of isolated precision.”
In addition to the Ultium platform and drive units, the Optiq also features other innovations engineered to spark more performance. These include a vented rear spoiler, diffusers, and an aerodynamically sculpted silhouette for increased slipperiness and greater efficiency.
Other technical advancements will include paddles that allow for driver-controlled regenerative braking, a one-pedal driving setting, a dual-level charge cord to plug into either 120-volt or 240-volt outlets, and four drive modes to personalize the driving experience. The Optiq can be recharged quickly as well: just 10 minutes at a 150-kilowatt DC fast-charger can add up to 112 kilometres of range.
Unique design elements for this new electrified crossover include a fixed-glass roof, a black crystal front grille bearing the Cadillac vertical signature, and signature lighting elements that come into play as the driver approaches the vehicle. In the passenger cabin, there’s a 33-inch diagonal LED display with 9K resolution, a standard 19-speaker AKG audio system, standard Super Cruise capability, and advanced radar, camera, and ultrasonic sensor technology to help drivers steer clear of trouble in all sorts of scenarios. The accent fabric features yarn made from 100 per cent recycled materials, and the veneer is made of tulip wood and recycled newspaper.
This all adds up to what’s likely to be an enticing new entry into a burgeoning scene. “Cadillac has always defined luxury, and Optiq, Cadillac’s first compact luxury EV SUV, is an example of how our bold innovative spirit is propelling us into the EV future,” says Cadillac Canada managing director Mike Speranzini. “With its sporty and athletic design, Optiq will serve as an important gateway to attract luxury EV intenders to Cadillac as we look to offer a fully electric portfolio by the end of the decade.”
