Cadillac Optiq Pictures Revealed in Regulatory Filing in China, Looks Like a Mini-Lyriq

At least on paper, GM has an impressive EV lineup, with more models planned to launch by the end of the year. Its Ultium platform should allow it to offer a wide range of form factors, from the mighty GMC Hummer EV to the affordable Chevy Equinox EV, which should sell for about $30,000. There's only one problem with GM's plans: the Ultium EVs can't be built at scale, at least for now. The reason is unknown, although I suspect this could be related to the Chevy Bolt fires and the subsequent deal GM signed with its battery supplier, LGES.

Although there's no official confirmation, I think GM struck a great deal with the Korean battery supplier in light of the Bolt fires. This allowed Chevrolet to sell the Bolt EV/EUV at less than $30,000 as if the batteries were free of charge. Still, LGES production could not simultaneously support the Bolt production, Bolt battery replacements, and the Ultium cell supply. This is why Ultium EVs, such as the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV, have been produced in very limited numbers while the Bolt production exploded.

Things should get better for GM as Bolt battery replacements have been officially halted, and the battery factories it planned with LGES will start production. This should offer some optimism for the upcoming models, such as the Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Equinox EV, and Chevrolet Silverado EV, which are scheduled to start deliveries later this year. Cadillac will also launch the Escalade IQ, Optiq, and an XT4-sized electric crossover, rumored to be named Symboliq.

While the Escalade IQ will be revealed later this year, with deliveries planned for 2024, the Cadillac Optiq might begin sales sooner. The first pictures of the Chevy Equinox EV's sibling have been revealed in China thanks to a regulatory filing showing a smaller Lyriq lookalike. According to local legislation, carmakers are required to publish the design and features of a new model before being allowed to sell it.

Based on the filing, the Cadillac Optiq is a single-motor electric vehicle that will soon start production in China. The Optiq will be offered in two power levels, with 150 kW and 180 kW (200 and 240 horsepower, respectively). It will be 4,822 mm (189.8 inches) long, which is 14 mm (0.6 inches) less than the Equinox EV while sharing the same wheelbase (2,954 mm/116.3 in). The weight is 2,220 kg (4,894 lbs.). ]

The Cadillac Optiq will be manufactured at SAIC's plant in Wuhan, while the batteries will be supplied by the SAIC-CATL joint venture. The Cadillac Lyriq will compete in China head-on with the NIO ES6, whose second generation has just been revealed in spring during Auto Shanghai. Still, the NIO ES6 will have the upper hand, considering that it is available with up to 400 kW/536 horsepower.

Cadillac recently announced a significant price cut for the Lyriq in China, and it's expected to offer the Optiq at an even more affordable price. Considering the fierce competition in the Chinese car market, this should help GM-SAIC joint venture move more metal. Although no official plan has yet been revealed, the Cadillac Optiq should also launch in the US later, probably from a North American factory.