Photo: Cadillac
The Cadillac Lyriq becomes more powerful and quick with an over-the-air upgrade that brings extra torque and a shorter time from 0 to 60 mph to the range-topping all-wheel drive version.
Unveiled at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show, right before the pandemic hit and seriously affected by the chip shortage, the Cadillac Lyriq electric crossover was late at the party of the luxury electric models. It entered production in March 2022 at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee and hit the market last year as a luxury high-end EV.
Underpinned by the GM BEV3 architecture, it is capable of driving as far as 307 miles (494 kilometers) before it needs to be plugged in again, depending on the version. Energy is stored in a 102 kWh battery pack, integrated into two drivetrain configurations.
The single-motor Lyriq came with 340 horsepower (345 PS) and 325 lb-ft (441 Nm) of torque, all steered toward the rear axle. This one is capable of doing the 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in 5.7 seconds and of reaching 118 mph (190 mph), and it stays the same, as the over-the-air updated is available only for the range-topping all-wheel drive.
The all-wheel drive Cadillac Lyriq version arrived this year with a dual-motor setup, one mounted on each axle, delivering together 500 horsepower (510 PS) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque for a run from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph (209 kph).
But the Velocity Package, a software upgrade, which can be implemented over the air, takes that 0 to 60 time down. So the all-wheel drive goes from 4.7 seconds down to 4.4, with no power upgrade whatsoever. Yet the torque goes 74 lb-ft higher, from 450 all the way to 524 lb-ft (710 Nm). That is as much as the Chinese version got right from the start on the local market.
Oddly, the updated all-wheel drive Lyriq will continue to wear the 600E lettering, with the '600,' standing for the value of the torque in Newton meters, 610. The Chinese Lyriq sports the '700E' lettering, standing for 710 Nm.
To get the upgrade, the owners of the Lyriq have to pay $1,200. Once purchased, the update will be installed automatically into the car. Thus, the Velocity Mode will replace the Sport Mode in the menu. General Motors recommends using the extra oomph "where road conditions or personal preferences demand a more controlled response."
If Cadillac eventually rolls out a Cadillac Lyriq V performance version, it will have to be above the figures that the Velocity Package brings.
The Lyriq starts at $58,590, destination fees included, for the rear-wheel drive, while the all-wheel drive kicks off at $76,305.
Underpinned by the GM BEV3 architecture, it is capable of driving as far as 307 miles (494 kilometers) before it needs to be plugged in again, depending on the version. Energy is stored in a 102 kWh battery pack, integrated into two drivetrain configurations.
The single-motor Lyriq came with 340 horsepower (345 PS) and 325 lb-ft (441 Nm) of torque, all steered toward the rear axle. This one is capable of doing the 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) in 5.7 seconds and of reaching 118 mph (190 mph), and it stays the same, as the over-the-air updated is available only for the range-topping all-wheel drive.
The all-wheel drive Cadillac Lyriq version arrived this year with a dual-motor setup, one mounted on each axle, delivering together 500 horsepower (510 PS) and 450 lb-ft (610 Nm) of torque for a run from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph (209 kph).
But the Velocity Package, a software upgrade, which can be implemented over the air, takes that 0 to 60 time down. So the all-wheel drive goes from 4.7 seconds down to 4.4, with no power upgrade whatsoever. Yet the torque goes 74 lb-ft higher, from 450 all the way to 524 lb-ft (710 Nm). That is as much as the Chinese version got right from the start on the local market.
Oddly, the updated all-wheel drive Lyriq will continue to wear the 600E lettering, with the '600,' standing for the value of the torque in Newton meters, 610. The Chinese Lyriq sports the '700E' lettering, standing for 710 Nm.
To get the upgrade, the owners of the Lyriq have to pay $1,200. Once purchased, the update will be installed automatically into the car. Thus, the Velocity Mode will replace the Sport Mode in the menu. General Motors recommends using the extra oomph "where road conditions or personal preferences demand a more controlled response."
If Cadillac eventually rolls out a Cadillac Lyriq V performance version, it will have to be above the figures that the Velocity Package brings.
The Lyriq starts at $58,590, destination fees included, for the rear-wheel drive, while the all-wheel drive kicks off at $76,305.
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