Lyriq Electric Crossover Debuts as the "New Face of Cadillac," 300+ Miles Range

Given the Lyriq is scheduled for a late 2022 commercial release, unless GM has other EVs planned until then, it looks like the wait is going to continue for a couple more years. The company claims the vehicle shown in the presentation is roughly 80 percent production-ready, which isn't enough to classify it as anything other than a show car.

The design, however, appears to be set in stone, with GM pointing toward the Lyriq's lines as the brand's future identity. “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.”

While the exterior relies on sharp angles, narrow headlights, and a massive grille-like element, the interior is a bit more conventional in style, though full of high-end technology. GM says Lyriq drivers will be able to enjoy a "dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display" together with the 33-inch-diagonal display and the 19-speaker AKG sound system that promises the now-classic "recording studio" experience.

The presentation fell a bit short on the technical side of things, which is probably where that 20 percent that still needs work comes into play. The GM officials talked about a maximum range of over 300 miles (483 km) obtained from a battery with a capacity of "approximately" 100 kWh. That would put the Lyriq on par with Tesla Model X's range of 325 miles (523) from a similar battery, with the caveat that Cadillac's model is still two years from launch while the X has already been around for four.

Several configurations will be available with both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, with the former geared toward efficiency and the latter toward performance. Cadillac promises a difference of no more than 25-30 miles between the two, meaning the dual-motor version should offer a decent maximum range together with the improved dynamic performance.

Charging is said to accept rates of over 150 kW, but the really great thing is the ability to hit 19 kW while replenishing the battery at home when a Level 2 charger is used. That means taking the battery from 20 to 80 percent shouldn't take much more than three hours.

It all sounds and looks pretty good for the Cadillac Lyriq, with the only downside being the fact that it's still more than two years away from its first customer deliveries. A lot can happen during this time and we might see a 2022 Lyriq that's completely obsolete from the moment it leaves the factory floor. Hopefully, that won't be the case. And now, the wait begins.