Cadillac's highly anticipated battery-electric crossover SUV previewed in concept form last year will be called the Lyriq, and we'll see it unveiled on August 6. The debut was originally pegged for April but the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic delayed things.
Despite the delay, the Lyriq remains on track to enter production in 2021. The Tesla Model X rival is expected to start sales in the second half of that year, meaning we'll likely see it arrive as a 2022 model.
The arrival of the Lyriq will likely mark the start of a brand-wide return to real model names, as opposed to the boring alphanumeric names Cadillac uses for its current lineup, the iconic Escalade being the only exception. A flagship electric sedan to be called the Celestiq is also in the works.
Teaser for Cadillac Lyriq electric cossover SUV based on GM BEV3 modular platform
Teaser for Cadillac Lyriq electric cossover SUV based on GM BEV3 modular platform
Teaser for Cadillac Lyriq electric cossover SUV based on GM BEV3 modular platform
The Lyriq concept (shown above) from a year ago hinted at a very futuristic design, as well as the possibility of third-row seats.
What we do know is the Lyriq will be based on General Motors' third-generation EV platform known as BEV3, and feature a new type of battery that GM has branded Ultium. The battery offers greater flexibility when it comes to packaging and will cost less to produce than current designs because of a low requirement for the rare earth material cobalt. GM plans to offer the battery in sizes ranging from 50-200 kilowatt-hours, with the biggest size capable of delivering more than 400 miles on a charge. It isn't clear what sizes the Lyriq will offer, however.
As for the BEV3 platform, it supports front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations, as well as performance applications—we're talking powertrains with enough juice for 0-60 mph times of less than 3.0 seconds. The platform and new Ultium batteries will also underpin the GMC Hummer EV that was due to be unveiled in May but will now appear sometime in the fall. The modern Hummer is also due to enter production in 2021.
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