Future Cadillac models: Escalade IQ and Optiq anticipated for Australia

The Lyriq large electric luxury crossover is leading the Cadillac brand’s return to Australian roads after a six-decade hiatus.

But which other models will join it as parent company General Motors plots a local challenge to the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, and Tesla?

6

Celestiq

Cadillac’s custom-order flagship EV, the Celestiq, may be an option for wealthy Aussies with at least half-a-million dollars to burn but America’s electric answer to a Bentley Flying Spur isn’t expected to be part of the official local range.

The specs stand out as much as the sleek, coupe-sedan styling. A 111kWh battery, 447kW, all-wheel drive, active rear steer, active roll control, adaptive air suspension with magnetic ride control dampers, four-zone microclimate cabin system, and five high-definition interactive displays.

Read more about the Cadillac Celestiq.

6

Escalade IQ

The Escalade IQ is a new fully electric spin-off of Caddy’s iconic full-size that would be expected to sit at the top of the local range.

It’s a beast at 5.7 metres long, and it monsters Mercedes-Benz’s EQS electric SUV in several other measures. It’s 200kWh battery is almost double, there’s 560kW and 1064Nm on tap via a Velocity Max mode, while the estimated range comes in at an impressive 724km.

Other notable features include 24-inch wheels, four-wheel steering that shrinks the turning circle to 12 metres, and pillar-to-pillar digital dash displays spanning 1.4 meters.

With a US$130K price tag, though, the Escalade’s price would inevitably escalate to well north of $200K in Australia.

Read more about the Cadillac Escalade IQ.

6

Optiq

The Optiq is yet to be officially revealed but it’s now an open secret after some official images and details leaked online in China (one of the images above) – and the name was trademarked in Australia earlier this year.

Leaked dimensions say the Optiq will be 4.8m long with a 2994mm wheelbase, making it a natural junior to the 5.0m Lyriq (with 3094mm wheelbase).

Styling is also connected, though more SUV-conventional than the bigger Caddy electric SUV.

Specs also reveal the choice of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models for a vehicle expected to form the entry point to the Cadillac brand in Australia.

6

Lyriq V

Not a new vehicle per se, but it would be a highly anticipated variant of the Lyriq – as the V badge would signify Caddy’s first electric performance model.

It currently signifies high-performance versions of the CT4 and CT5 sedans, but the Lyriq V is believed to be in development right now – with rumoured outputs of 410kW and 880Nm.

That compares with power and torque figures of 373kW and 610Nm for the current most powerful versions of the Lyriq – the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variants.