Cadillac Optiq crosses the Atlantic, but loses something in translation

General Motors is bringing a taste of American electric luxury to Europe with the Cadillac Optiq. The stylish new crossover is the brand’s most affordable EV, and is now available for order in several European countries.

Unfortunately, European customers will be getting a vehicle that is very different from the one sold in the United States, raising questions about whether its sharp styling is enough to overcome some significant compromises in power and range. And then there’s the price.

The biggest differences between the American and European versions of the Cadillac Optiq are found under the skin. The European model comes with a 75-kWh battery pack. This is a full 10 kWh smaller than the 85 kWh battery found in its American sibling. This smaller battery results in a shorter driving range, estimated at 264 miles on the European WLTP cycle.

The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system in the European Optiq delivers 304 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. That’s a huge drop from the 440 horsepower and 498 lb-ft enjoyed by American drivers. The differences continue when it’s time to recharge with the European Optiq supporting DC fast charging at a maximum speed of 110 kW. That’s not exactly slow, but it falls short of the 150 kW peak of the US version and is outpaced by many competitors in the European EV market.

Cadillac claims this is enough to add about 89 miles of range in 15 minutes. The European model gets a slight edge when it comes to home charging - it can take 22 kW of AC power, a bit faster than the 19.2 kW offered in America. It also uses the standard European CCS2 charging port, unlike the NACS port on US models.

Interestingly, one area where the European Optiq comes out ahead is inside the cabin, specifically concerning its software. The vehicle features a stunning 33-inch diagonal LED display and a premium 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system, and it gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

This is a feature General Motors has controversially decided to remove from its new EVs in the United States, citing safety concerns. The fact that the same vehicle in Europe includes these popular phone-mirroring systems suggests the company’s safety argument may not be the whole story.

Unfortunately for European drivers, less power and a smaller battery don’t mean a lower price. The Cadillac Optiq starts at $76,100 for both the Premium Luxury and Premium Sport trims. This puts it directly against rivals like the Audi Q6 E-Tron. The Audi offers a similar starting price but has a larger battery, longer range, and dramatically faster DC charging speeds of up to 270 kW.

This makes the value proposition for the electric Cadillac a tough sell based on specifications alone. With less horsepower, lower range, and slower charging than its American counterpart - all for a significantly higher price - the Optiq faces an uphill battle.

Cadillac seems to be betting that the vehicle’s distinct and bold design will be its main draw. The Optiq certainly stands out from its European competitors, but the question is whether European buyers, who have many highly capable electric cars to choose from, will be convinced by style over substance.

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