The newest is the smallest
Is Cadillac a brand of extremes? Not always anymore, but in this case, it lives up to its old reputation. Meet the Cadillac Optiq-V, the approximately 530 hp sporty top version of its smallest electric model.
Is Cadillac a brand of extremes? Not always anymore, but in this case, it lives up to its old reputation. Meet the Cadillac Optiq-V, the approximately 530 hp sporty top version of its smallest electric model.
The Cadillac of now is no longer the Cadillac of ‘then’. The time when the luxury brand of General Motors only made gigantic four-door battleships is of course already decades behind us. In fact, it doesn’t have that many sedans anymore. The majority of the Caddy’s are now a cross-over or SUV and some of them are even completely electric. The electric line-up consists of the impressive and limited Celestiq and – from small to large – the Optiq, Lyriq, Vistiq, Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL. The sporty V-label that not long ago was reserved for models with mighty V8s but that is now also applied to sporty variants with six and even four cylinders, Cadillac dares to put on the high EVs as well. For example, the Lyriq is available as Lyriq-V. It is now joined by company.
Cadillac Optiq-V: ‘the smallest’
The smallest electric Cadillac also gets a V-version. We are of course talking about the Cadillac Optiq, which is not that small with its vehicle length of 4.82 meters. Cadillac squeezes two electric motors with a combined output of 529 hp and 880 Nm into the Optiq-V, sufficient to help the SUV accelerate from a standstill to a speed of 97 km/h (60 mph) in 3.5 seconds. Those electric motors draw their zest for life from an 85 kWh (net) battery. That combination is good for a range of 443 kilometers, the Americans estimate. Extra potent Brembo brakes should be able to bring the steamed-up and approximately 2,400 kilo Optiq-V back to a decent stop.
No V-topper without at least a handful of exterior extras. For example, the Cadillac Optiq-V has black plastic around its fake grille, diamond-shaped mesh and different decorative elements next to the vertical LED lighting. Blue brake calipers and a handful of V-badges are also part of the V-party. Optionally, Cadillac supplies carbon fiber items such as a diffuser, a lip at the bottom of the front bumper and a rear spoiler.