Cadillac Lyriq-V launches in NZ from $109,000
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Cadillac’s quickest car yet has arrived in New Zealand, with the electric Lyriq-V priced from $109,000 plus on-road costs.
The first battery-powered model to wear Cadillac’s V-Series performance badge delivers 459kW and 880Nm from a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain. With its Velocity Max setting engaged, Cadillac claims 0–100km/h in 3.6 seconds, while top speed is 210km/h.
The MY27 performance SUV pairs those figures with a 92kWh battery and an estimated combined WLTP range of 471km.
Charging peaks at 130kW on a suitable DC charger, with Cadillac claiming up to 107km of range can be added in 10 minutes. Its 22kW three-phase AC charging capability allows up to 98km of range to be replenished per hour, depending on conditions and vehicle settings.
“At 459 kW, 880 Nm and 3.6 seconds from 0–100 km/h, it is a genuine performance SUV, but it also retains the refinement, technology and everyday usability that define the LYRIQ experience,” said Greg Rowe, acting managing director of GM Australia and New Zealand.
There’s more to the V treatment than extra straight-line pace. The Lyriq-V receives lowered sports suspension with adaptive dampers, variable electric power steering and Brembo front brakes with 390mm discs and red callipers.
Standard 22-inch alloy wheels wear 275/40 R22 self-sealing tyres.
A V button on the steering wheel provides access to performance settings, complementing the Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice and configurable My Mode driving profiles.
Within V-Mode, Velocity Max unlocks additional power, Launch Control prepares motor torque delivery for standing starts, and Competitive Mode adjusts the traction-management settings.
Cadillac has also given its electric performance model a manufactured soundtrack, drawing inspiration from its LMDh race car.
Sound is played through the cabin’s AKG audio system and dedicated exterior speakers mounted beneath the front and rear of the vehicle. The system responds to acceleration and regenerative braking, with an electronic rev function available while parked or in neutral.
Drivers wanting less theatre can select Stealth Mode for a quieter cabin.
Exterior changes include revised lower front and rear bodywork, unique side skirts, body-coloured lower trim, V-Series badges and a black roof. The graphite-finished wheels also carry laser-etched V-Series emblems.
Inside, black Nappa leather seats feature grey accents, perforated inserts and V-Series embroidery. A heated leather steering wheel, alloy sports pedals, illuminated door sills, 126-colour ambient lighting and an opening panoramic sunroof are standard.
The dashboard is dominated by a 33-inch LED display with Google Gemini, Maps and the Play Store built in. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, alongside a 23-speaker AKG Studio audio system with Dolby Atmos capability and active noise cancellation.
The Lyriq-V comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and five years of roadside assistance. Battery cover runs for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.
Service intervals are 24 months or 24,000km, whichever comes first, a schedule Cadillac says applies across its range from MY27.
New Zealand customers can explore the Lyriq-V through Cadillac’s website or its Auckland Experience Centre.
