THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC

Written by Andre James

Photography courtesy of Cadillac

In 2019, Cadillac announced it would spearhead General Motors' shift to an all-electric future. After GM announced their new Ultium batteries in early 2020, Cadillac hit the accelerator in August, unveiling the LYRIQ show car, a fully electric luxury crossover. "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," said Jamie Brewer, Cadillac LYRIQ chief engineer. "To do this, we developed an architecture specifically for EVs. It is not only an exceptional EV but first and foremost a Cadillac."

Within the LYRIQ, the Ultium battery system (with 300+ miles of range on a full charge) is a structural element of the architecture, integrated to improve ride and handling and safety. The lower center of gravity and near 50/50 weight distribution enabled by the battery pack placement results in a sporty, responsive vehicle offering spirited driving. A distinctive "black crystal" grille in the front is one of the LYRIQ's most unique and expressive design elements on the outside.

The LYRIQ is driven primarily by the rear wheels, with a performance all-wheel-drive option available. The drive motor placement at the rear of the vehicle contributes a noticeable feeling of balance and agility while enabling the system to channel more torque to the pavement without wheelspin for zippy acceleration and confident cornering capability.

The unique driving experience will begin upon approaching the vehicle. Once LYRIQ recognizes the driver, they are "greeted" with a choreographed lighting sequence, while the seats, mirror, and climate system make adjustments in preparation for the journey. Inside the cabin, a 33-inch-diagonal advanced LED display artfully integrates a single, large screen that spans the driver's viewing area and incorporates driver information details, infotainment controls, and camera views. Other technology of note includes easy monitoring of the battery and charging; a new dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display; the latest version of Super Cruise; supervised remote parking that can help the LYRIQ park itself whether the drive is inside or outside of the vehicle; new active road noise cancellation technology; and, an exclusive partnership with AKG to offer a state-of-the-art 19-speaker sound system.

"The LYRIQ represents the next iteration of the iconic brand's styling, enabled by electrification, as only Cadillac can express," said Andrew Smith, executive director, Global Cadillac Design. "Inside and out, LYRIQ is a thoughtful integration of design and technology and is intended to make every drive an occasion."