Cadillac is finally dipping its delicately manicured toe into the pool of electric motoring with the new Lyriq, a fully fossil-fuel-free crossover. It’s based on a vehicle the manufacturer had been showing off in concept form around various motor shows (prior to the cancellation of such large-scale events in light of the coronavirus pandemic, of course). Cadillac says this new vehicle “makes a bold design statement that introduces a new face, proportion and presence for the brand’s new generation of EVs”. So much for that, but the Lyriq is certainly a bundle of smoothness and clean lines. It has a low roofline that conveys a certain sense of agility, yet the appearance as a whole retains the sense that it is a capable vehicle. A closer look shows a black crystal grille at the front, a feature that is unique to the vehicle and not something you’ll find on any of its automotive brothers and sisters. The range for the Lyriq is expected to be just shy of 500 kilometres. When it comes to speed and power, there are scant details, but Cadillac promises “thrilling performance”. Inside, you can expect the usual kit and caboodle that the US carmaker prides itself on, with a 33-inch LED display that spans the entire viewing area for the driver, which should be interesting to behold. The Lyriq is the first vehicle to mirror a bid by General Motors, Cadillac’s parent company, to overhaul its Chinese line-up with a greater emphasis on electric cars and smart-driving technology. The group's new regional manager for that area, Julian Blissett, told Reuters it would renew its focus on luxury Cadillacs, roll out bigger but greener SUVs, and target entry-level buyers with low-cost micro electric vehicles. No word on when the Lyriq will be launched in the Middle East yet – rumour has it the vehicle won’t be with us until the middle of 2021 at the earliest – but reports suggest prices should be in the region of $60,000 (Dh220,000) when it finally does arrive.
