- As Cadillac expands its electric portfolio, it has announced its newest EV, the OPTIQ.
- This compact electric SUV is set to go on sale later this year, coming as standard with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup.
- Cadillac is pinning the OPTIQ as an entry point to electric luxury car ownership.
Cadillac begins its European return
The striking-looking OPTIQ will be based on GM’s new all-electric Ultium platform, with a dual motor setup offering 300bhp, while the 85kWh battery pack will offer around 300 miles of range, with an ability to add 79 miles of range in 10 minutes on a DC fast charger. The OPTIQ is loaded with tech inside as standard, with a 33-inch wraparound display composing both the driver information and infotainment system, a 19-speaker sound system from AKG, and Cadillac’s answer to Tesla Autopilot, Super Cruise. The latter is still awaiting European approval, however.
When production and delivery of the OPTIQ starts near the end of the year, pricing in the US will start from $54,000 (£42,465 / €49,840). However, there is no word on European pricing just yet, which is likely to differ. At this price point, the OPTIQ will go head to head against other luxury EVs such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes EQB. The arrival of the OPTIQ, alongside other electric models such as the Lyriq already on sale in parts of Europe, marks the return of parent company General Motors to the region, after it sold its Opel and Vauxhall brands to PSA (now merged with FCA to become Stellantis) back in 2017.
Vice President of Global Cadillac, John Roth, commented:
Over the past five years, Cadillac has welcomed approximately 1 million new customers to the family globally, while our percentage of younger buyers has increased 5% in the U.S. OPTIQ will be 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.”
