Cadillac spreads its wings Down Under
Cadillac adds two new battery electric models to its lineup, with the arrival of the Optiq and Vistiq luxury electric SUVs.
Cadillac used the occasion of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix to announce the expansion of its local lineup, with the impending arrival of the Optiq and Vistiq luxury electric SUVs.
Formula 1 fans would have noticed an unusual nameplate making up the back row of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix race in Melbourne in March, with the renowned US luxury car brand making its official debut as a constructor at the event.
Despite being one of the world’s most recognised luxury brands Cadillac has never previously competed in the world’s most prestigious and high-profile racing series.
The brand’s F1 debut started inauspiciously, with both the team’s cars starting from the back of the grid before Valterri Bottas’ car retired on lap 16, while Sergio Perez went on to finish the race in 16th place.
Cadillac’s belated move into Formula 1 is designed to tap into the sport’s rapid growth in the US and to have the brand compete with European luxury automakers on the international stage, while showcasing General Motors’ engineering prowess.
Three-model electric SUV lineup for Australia
That prowess is now on wider display for Aussie consumers with the launch of the Cadillac Optiq and Vistiq, which joins the established Cadillac Lyriq to form a three-car luxury electric SUV lineup.
The arrival of the new models under the auspices of GM Australia means Cadillac now has the same number of battery-electric models as pure electric rival Polestar, and more than established EV market leader Tesla.
The launch of the new SUVs follows the return of the Cadillac brand Down Under in October 2024 with the Cadillac Lyriq, a large five-door, five-seat SUV available in Luxury and Sport variants and priced from $117,000 (MRLP) and $119,000 (MRLP) respectively.
GM Australia doesn’t provide sales figures for the Lyriq but subsequently discounts of up to $14,000 indicate sales may have been slower than expected.
The company has also accompanied the launch of the Optiq and Vistiq with revised pricing for both MY25 Lyriq variants of $95,000 driveaway.
Pricing overview:
- Cadillac Optiq — from $80,000 (MRLP)
- Cadillac Lyriq — $95,000 driveaway
- Cadillac Vistiq — from $120,000 (MRLP).
Cadillac Optiq (from $80,000)
As the entry point to the Cadillac range in Australia, the Optiq is positioned to go up against the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60, and Mercedes-Benz EQB.
The mid-size Luxury EV is slightly longer, narrower and taller than the market-leading Tesla Model Y and comes equipped with a standard dual-motor all-wheel drive system, with estimated outputs of 224kW and 480Nm.
Powering the show is a 75kWh lithium-ion battery providing an estimated range of 425km, with combined energy consumption of 19.9kWh. Peak DC charging rate is 150kW with up to 94km of range in around 10 minutes, according to GM.
The Optiq’s charging port uses the CCS2 standard and the car comes supplied with a portable Mode 2 (10A) charging cable for AC home and
destination charging.
The Cadillac’s mechanical package includes Brembo performance front brakes, front coil-over strut suspension, a five-link rear suspension, selectable drive modes, and regenerative braking with One-Pedal Driving mode.
Stylistically, the Optiq’s athletic-looking exterior design features a black crystal grille with laser-etched elements, 21-inch alloy wheels clad with 275/40R21 tyres, and animated LED sequence headlights and taillights.
Inside, the five-seat interior is claimed to offer generous legroom and headroom with 744 litres of cargo space behind the
rear seats and up to 1,603 litres with rear seatbacks folded.
A 33-inch high-resolution LED display sweeps from the driver’s
side across to the centre stack, offering access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other standard infotainment features include wireless phone charging, a 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system, a 126-colour dual-zone interior ambient lighting system, and eight years of complimentary Cadillac Connected Services, including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play.
Cadillac Connected Services also includes access to the myCadillac Mobile App with remote commands, charge management, and over-the-air (OTA) capability.
Standard Optiq kit includes heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with eight-way power adjustment and four-way lumbar adjustment; heated rear seats; and a panoramic glass roof with power sunshade.
The SUV’s comprehensive suite of safety systems includes seven airbags plus Blind Zone Steering Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Reverse Automatic Braking, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and Lane Centring Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, HD Surround Vision and Rear Camera Mirror, Auto High-Beam Assist, Automatic Park Assist, and Safety Alert Seat.
Cadillac Vistiq.
Cadillac Vistiq (from $120,000)
Sitting at the top of the all-electric Cadillac SUV range both in terms of size and price is the new Vistiq, which features a three-row, six-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs as standard.
At 5,233mm long and riding on a 3,094mm wheelbase the Vistiq is similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV and Volvo EX90, its commanding physical presence including black crystal grille, slim-line LED headlamps with corner lamps, animated LED lighting sequences, and 22-inch Satin Graphite alloy wheels paired with 295/40R22 self-sealing tyres.
The generously proportioned interior is claimed to offer generous head and shoulder room, and up to 430 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,218 litres behind the second row, or a voluminous 2,271 litres with the second and third rows folded.
Standard kit includes a panoramic dual-pane sunroof with third-row sunshades; four-zone automatic climate control, with front and rear controls; heated, ventilated and massaging front seats with eight-way power adjustment and four-way lumbar adjustment; synthetic leather upholstery; open-pore wood trim and a suede-like microfibre headliner.
Aso standard is a 33-inch advanced LED display, tri-zone ambient lighting, 23-speaker AKG4 Studio audio, dual wireless phone charging pads, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google built-in compatibility including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play3.
Like its stablemates, the Vistiq comes with eight years of complimentary Cadillac Connected Services2 and access to the myCadillac Mobile App including remote commands and diagnostics, charging management and location services.
The SUV’s dual-motor all-wheel drive system produces estimated outputs of 459kW/880Nm, which is enough to accelerate the 2870kg SUV from 0 to 100km/h in a rapid 4.2 seconds.
A 91kWh lithium-ion battery delivers an estimated range of 461km on a full charge, with claimed combined energy consumption of 22kWh/100km.
DC fast charging is rated at 190kW, with the Vistiq able to add 104km of range in 10 minutes on a suitable charger. The charging port is the CCS2 standard and the Vistiq is supplied with a portable Mode 2 (10A) charging cable.
The Vistiq’s mechanical package includes Brembo performance front brakes, Air Ride adaptive Suspension, active rear steering, selectable drive modes, regenerative braking one-pedal driving capability and Regen on Demand feature.
Standard safety kit includes seven airbags plus Blind Zone Steering Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driver Attention Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition and Night Vision, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Side Bicyclist Alert and Rear Pedestrian Alert.
Cadillac’s newly expanded electric SUV lineup dramatically expands the brands model lineup in Australia, but it faces stiff competition from established luxury rivals including Audi, BMW, Genesis, Lexus Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.
The brand also utilises a direct-to-consumer sales model like Tesla, Mercedes-Benz and Honda, and has just seven service-outlets Australia wide, including one in Queensland, which may limit its appeal.
Cadillac’s standard warranty in Australia includes five-years unlimited kilometres on the vehicle, eight years or 160,00km on the EV Propulsion Battery.
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