RUMOURS that Cadillac’s all-electric Optiq medium SUV and Vistiq higher giant SUV will probably be produced in right-hand drive for the Australasian market have proved true, bookending the US luxurious model’s vary beside the already-on-sale Lyriq after they arrive Down Below subsequent 12 months.
Aside from affirmation of a 2026 arrival, timing and specs stay up within the air, with Normal Motors executives solely indicating that they are going to launch across the similar time as native deliveries of the high-performance Lyriq V flagship start – with out saying when that can occur both.
Cadillac, which mentioned in October that the Lyriq would arrive in Australia earlier than the tip of 2024 however has but to ship a single buyer automotive, could possibly be experiencing regulatory hurdles.
Talking with Australasian media throughout a videoconference wherein Cadillac world vp John Roth introduced the Optiq medium SUV and Vistiq higher giant SUV for these markets, Normal Motors Australia and New Zealand managing director Jess Bala mentioned preliminary Lyriq deliveries have been but to start – though she mentioned the corporate was “very, very near getting certification”.
“Primarily based on the conversations we have had with the related authorities our bodies, that ought to be within the subsequent couple of weeks,” she mentioned.
Purple tape additionally seems to be maintaining the gargantuan Escalade IQ off the desk for now, as a lot as native GM management wish to import Cadillac’s largest and brashest SUV.
Although normal specs don’t align between markets, Australian pricing for the Lyriq giant SUV begins from $117,000 for the Luxurious, or round 21 per cent increased than the US market equal at present alternate charges.
Making use of comparable calculations to the mid-sized Optiq places its seemingly range-opener on the $101,000 mark, or $14,000 lower than the similar-sized Audi Q6 e-tron, whereas additionally undercutting the Lexus RZ 450e (from $121,059 +ORC), and Genesis GV70 Electrified ($125,858 +ORC), however pricier than the rear-drive-only BMW iX3 (from $91,000 +ORC).
Nevertheless, to offer larger differentiation between Cadillac’s entry-level Optiq and the Lyriq, the model might properly goal for sub-$100K positioning when the Optiq arrives Down Below.
Ms Bala wouldn’t be drawn on pricing aside from suggesting that “you possibly can assume that it is going to be decrease priced than the Lyriq”.
Stateside, the three-row Vistiq begins from $US77,395 ($A122,115) or accounting for the 21 per cent Australia premium utilized to the Lyriq, it’s extra prone to be within the area of $A148,000 – properly beneath the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV that opens from $195,900 earlier than on-road prices however wanting wealthy towards the Volvo EX90 that begins at $124,990 +ORC and Kia’s EV9 GT-Line flagship (from $121,000 +ORC).
Cadillac’s US web site says the Optiq has 150kW DC quick charging functionality, an 11.5kW normal AC charging possibility (19.2kW non-compulsory), a 224kW/480Nm twin motor all-wheel drive powertrain, estimated 486km battery vary, a most cargo house of roughly 736 litres of boot house or 1614 litres with the rear seats folded.
Towing capability is quoted at simply 680kg.
The Optiq’s size is 4826mm, wheelbase is 2946mm, width (together with mirrors) is 2134mm, top is 1651mm and floor clearance is 152mm. Contemplating its worth proximity within the US, the Lyriq represents a good bit of additional steel for the cash, being 132mm taller, 170mm longer and 73mm wider than the Optiq with a 153mm wheelbase benefit.
At 5222mm lengthy, 2203mm vast and 1804mm tall with a 3094mm wheelbase, the VIstiq is greater in each path than a Mercedes EQS SUV with the German automotive’s solely trump card being a 116mm-longer wheelbase.
The Vistiq’s braked towing capability is 2268kg in line with Cadillac’s US web site, with boot house starting from 430 litres with all seats in use to 1218 litres with the third row folded and 2271 litres with solely the entrance seats deployed.
Mr Roth commented that the Vistiq had been dubbed a “child Escalade”, the all-electric IQ variant of Cadillac’s flagship SUV being a mammoth 5697mm lengthy (with 3459mm wheelbase), 2390mm vast and 1933mm tall.
Requested if the Escalade IQ was on the playing cards for Australasia, Ms Bala mentioned it was on the want checklist however “not at present a part of the plan”.
“There are some challenges with that individual car, particularly that we would wish to work by way of right here,” she defined.
Mr Roth added that the holdup was associated to “technical certifications and different points of the car”.
“However we’re working very intently with the crew within the US to see what is feasible,” mentioned Ms Bala.
“I’d like to have that car right here. It is one in all my private favourites. So, we’re going to maintain pushing on that one.”
On the US market, the Optiq Sport options exterior Obsidian Chrome detailing with gloss black finishes, a Sport-specific grille and 20-inch alloy wheels in Darkish Android end whereas the marginally cheaper Luxurious is recognized by its exterior Galvano Chrome detailing with gloss black finishes, a Luxurious-specific grille and 20-inch alloys in Pearl Nickel.
Customary Optiq Sport gear throughout the pond consists of hands-free driver help know-how with a three-year OnStar Tremendous Cruise subscription, though this semi-autonomous system is not going to ship in Australia.
Ms Bala described Tremendous Cruise as “one thing that is not regulated right here but”.
“It’s not one thing that we will have on the street, however I do know there are conversations happening within the background to attempt to velocity up approvals of these rules to permit us to convey it to market.
“It gained’t be that accessible at launch, however know that we’re working within the background, together with many different manufacturers, to convey these form of applied sciences to market.”
Different Optiq Sport gear highlights embody a 19-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos, vehicle-to-home compatibility, a 33.0-inch LED show with Google built-in, heated entrance seats with eight-way energy driver and six-way energy passenger adjustment, wi-fi telephone charging, a panoramic glass roof
4 Vistiq variants can be found within the US, even the least-expensive Luxurious trim stage being lavishly outfitted with a three-year Tremendous Cruise subscription, five-zone local weather management, curved 33.0-inch show with Google built-in, 23-speaker AKG audio system with Dolby Atmos, heated, ventilated, massaging entrance seats with 18-way energy adjustment and driver’s aspect reminiscence, heated second-row outboard seats, a pair of 8.0-inch rear-seat infotainment screens, panoramic dual-pane sunroof with energy sunshade and a third-row fastened glass roof, and 126-colour LED tri-zone ambient inside lighting.
The Vistiq’s normal twin motor AWD system develops 459kW/881Nm, a 483km battery vary and 190kW DC quick charging mentioned so as to add 127km of vary in 10 minutes whereas normal AC charging is rated at as much as 11.5kW.
Ms Bala mentioned Cadillac had obtained 9000 expressions of curiosity for the Lyriq because it was introduced however declined to touch upon what number of have up to now transformed into orders.
