China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has just leaked the first photos and key features of Cadillac’s new entry-level crossover, Optiq, ahead of its official debut later this year. The leak was apparently part of the agency’s latest batch of models that will be permitted to sell in China.
The all-new Optiq EV will position beneath the popular Lyriq in the brand’s electric portfolio.
About the Cadillac Optiq
Cadillac plans to launch the Optiq all-electric crossover in the Chinese market as early as next year, rivaling Tesla Model Y and XPeng G6.
The future product statement released by MIIT revealed that the Optiq is slightly smaller than the Lyriq, a mid-size luxury crossover. Its wheelbase measures 2,915 mm (9.5 ft), while the Lyriq measures 3,094 mm (10.1 ft). Moreover, the documents also indicated that the Optiq is shorter and marginally lower than the Lyriq.
As per the report, the new Cadillac Optiq will have a length of 4,822 mm (15.8 ft), width of 1912 mm (6.2 ft), and a height of 1,644 mm. Meanwhile, the Lyriq measures 4,996 mm (16.4 ft) long, 2,207 mm wide (7.2 ft), and 1,623mm (5.3 ft) tall.
In addition, the Optwi will offer two single-motor versions: 150 kW or 180 kW. Meanwhile, its battery packs will come from a joint venture between GM’s current partner SAIC and power battery giant CATL. Reports suggest that the EV will undergo production at SAIC-GM’s Wuhan factory.
The demand for small crossovers is rapidly growing in the Chinese auto industry. However, Western automakers have difficulty competing with local brands like BYD and XPeng. In effect, legacy automakers have implemented price cuts to stay competitive and defend their market share.
The price of the Cadillac Lyriq starts at ¥379,700 ($52,443) after the brand lowered its price by ¥60,000 ($8,400).
Meanwhile, reports estimate that the Optiq will have a base price of approximately 300,000 ($42,010).
See Also:
There are no details yet if Cadillac will bring the Optiq to the US market or only offer it to Chinese customers. However, it must be noted that luxury crossovers have a very profitable market in North America.
In fact, the brand’s most popular model in the region is the internal combustion engine-powered XT4, which has an extremely similar size to the Optiq.
All that said, an affordable smaller electric SUV may aid Cadillac in improving its sales performance in the Chinese market, which witnesses numerous new EV entrants and aggressive price cuts.
