Cadillac Optiq EV SUV's design revealed ahead of announcement

Cadillac, the luxury vehicle division of General Motors, has officially thrown its hat into the Chinese electric SUV ring. The company has filed regulatory papers for its new all-electric SUV, the Optiq, promising a smaller, feisty combatant ready to face off against China's stiff competition.

According to the latest catalog from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Optiq is ready to make its grand entrance. The catalog is a gateway for models to secure their permits to sell in China, following the country's strict regulatory procedures.

Now, let's talk numbers because, let's face it, size matters - especially when it comes to SUVs. The Optiq brings a fairly compact profile to the table with a length of 189.8 inches, a width of 75.3 inches, and a height of either 64.6 inches or 64.7 inches, depending on the variant. Its wheelbase measures a solid 116.3 inches. In contrast, the Nio ES6, another electric SUV from China, is a bit longer and taller with dimensions of 191.1 inches (length), 78.5 inches (width), 67 inches (height), and a wheelbase of 114.8 inches.

But here's the kicker: The Optiq, with its smaller stature, comes with less power. The two variants available feature motors capable of churning out a robust 150 kW and 180 kW, respectively. That’s nowhere near what Nio ES6’s 400 kW. For battery support, Cadillac partners with a joint venture between SAIC and CATL, but there is no info about the capacity yet.

The Optiq will be assembled in the heart of China, at SAIC's manufacturing facility in Wuhan, Hubei province. It's the second all-electric Cadillac model following the Lyriq. The Lyriq though, with its dimensions of 197 inches (length), 77.9 inches (width), and 64.4 inches (height), and a whopping wheelbase of 121.8 inches, is a much bigger vehicle.

Speaking of the Lyriq, Cadillac recently announced that the included entitlement package in the Lyriq's prices is now an optional add-on, reducing the starting price in China by RMB 60,000 ($8,400). It seems it's not just Nio that's cutting back on its all-inclusive deals - seems to be the new trend.

The Optiq is expected to start at a more competitive price point. Cadillac, it appears, is ready to ride the electric wave sweeping across China. The Optiq represents a strategically priced entrant in the EV market that demands luxury and sustainability at the same time - something that Cadillac is perfectly positioned for.

It's clear: Cadillac's not just sitting on the sidelines. They're on the field, geared up and ready to play. Now, let's see how the game unfolds.

Via