Deliveries of the Cadillac Optiq solely began within the US earlier this yr and it isn’t launching in Australia till 2026, however already the mid-size electrical SUV is in line for a serious replace.
GM Authority studies the Optiq will get a brand new entry-level single-motor rear-wheel drive variant for 2026, bringing extra energy – if much less torque – than the only real powertrain accessible within the US in the intervening time, a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration.
The twin-motor possibility is reportedly getting a serious energy bump too, regardless of the latest reveal of a new high-performance Optiq-V flagship.
Cadillac is launching the mid-size Optiq and the massive three-row Vistiq in Australia in 2026 to bookend the Lyriq, first buyer deliveries of which commenced earlier this yr. The Lyriq lineup will achieve a sizzling V-Sequence variant in 2026, although the Optiq-V hasn’t been confirmed for our market.
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The brand new base rear-wheel drive variant will reportedly produce 232kW of energy and 450Nm of torque – up 8kW however down 30Nm in contrast with the present dual-motor all-wheel drive variant.
It’ll reportedly proceed to make use of the identical 85kWh nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery, with estimated vary of 483km on the US EPA cycle.
The twin-motor all-wheel drive Optiq will reportedly obtain a bump in energy and torque to 328kW and 675Nm, up 104kW and 195Nm on the present mannequin.
That also leaves respiratory room for the upcoming Optiq-V flagship, which can pump out 387kW/880Nm, making it good for a claimed 0-60mph (0-96km/h) dash time of three.5 seconds utilizing launch management.
The Common Motors BEV3 devoted EV platform underpinning the Optiq – in addition to the Cadillac Lyriq and Vistiq, and the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV – helps front-, rear- and all-wheel drive configurations.
Unusually, the Blazer EV has supplied all three concurrently.
The Optiq is getting a rear-wheel drive entry variant for Mexican-produced fashions, regardless of the Chinese language-built Optiq lineup opening with a single-motor front-wheel drive variant.
Aside from the substantial powertrain lineup modifications, GM Authority doesn’t observe another modifications to the Optiq for 2026, other than a brand new paint color.
GM has beforehand introduced sure automobiles outfitted with its Tremendous Cruise hands-free driver help system will achieve a hands-on lane centring help function for 2026.
Nevertheless, it’s unclear if the Optiq is amongst these, and whether or not this function shall be accessible in Australia contemplating GM doesn’t supply Tremendous Cruise right here. Notably, the Australian-market Lyriq gives solely lane-keep help regardless of lane centring aids being commonplace right here.
Manufacturing of the 2026 Optiq is reportedly set to start on August 25, 2025 at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico.
Cadillac has but to announce pricing and specs for the Optiq in Australia.
It’s set to fit in underneath the Lyriq price-wise, although by how a lot stays unclear. The BMW iX-rivalling Lyriq opens at $122,000 earlier than on-road prices in Australia.
The Optiq measures 4820mm lengthy, 2126mm broad and 1644mm tall, making it 176mm shorter, 81mm narrower and 21mm taller than the Lyriq, however nonetheless longer and wider than the Audi Q6 e-tron mid-size electrical SUV.
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