Cadillac's First BEV Makes Its Highly Anticipated Japanese Debut

Cadillac Lyriq

General Motors Japan has given the Lyriq, Cadillac's first BEV (battery electric vehicle), its Japanese premiere. Sales begin Saturday, March 8th, with deliveries scheduled for May 2025 or later.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

A Style Instantly Recognizable as Cadillac, Despite Being a BEV

The Lyriq, the first BEV from Cadillac, a brand with over 120 years of history, embodies the brand's definition of a "luxury car." Since its debut in the U.S. in 2023, it has achieved remarkable recognition, including being the first American car to win the German Car of the Year award.

John Roth, Global Vice President of Cadillac, attended the Japanese premiere. The Lyriq's long-awaited Japanese debut marks a significant step, embodying new-era luxury and unique identity to forge the brand's future. The fact that all models are right-hand drive underscores the importance of the Japanese market.

The exterior, while clearly a Cadillac, features modern LED headlamps that pay homage to its heritage. Its elegant proportions are enhanced by a long wheelbase exceeding three meters.

The rear design incorporates taillights inspired by the 1967 Eldorado, evoking the beauty of classic Cadillacs.

The interior boasts a refined, simple, yet dynamic design. Natural warmth is conveyed through genuine wood panels, while the curved 33-inch advanced color LED display adds a futuristic touch, characteristic of a BEV.

The seats feature newly developed high-density foam for comfort on long drives, and standard equipment includes 'Interluxe,' a sustainable, animal-free alternative to leather.

The space created by electrification has been transformed into ample rear legroom and a luggage compartment with a maximum capacity of 1,772 liters.

The drivetrain utilizes a dual-motor eAWD system with motors mounted on both the front and rear axles. Independent control of these motors ensures traction and stability tailored to four drive modes: Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode.

The platform is purpose-built for electric vehicles, featuring a unique modular system. By housing the battery, which is positioned horizontally along the underside of the vehicle between the front and rear tires, the Lyriq achieves both improved stability through a low center of gravity and enhanced structural rigidity. The combined maximum output from the front and rear dual motors is 384 kW (522 ps), with a peak torque of 610 Nm.

The regenerative braking system allows for one-pedal driving, controlling acceleration and deceleration solely with the accelerator pedal. Regenerative braking can be selected from three levels, and can also be operated using the paddles on the steering wheel.

The lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 95.7 kWh, providing a driving range of 510 km on a single charge (WLTP cycle). In addition to home charging, the Japanese specification model supports CHAdeMO rapid charging.

To ensure performance in cold climates, a "wiper heater" is also installed. A heater integrated into the wiper park area melts snow and ice, allowing the wipers to be used quickly. This not only saves time but also contributes to extending the driving range.

To address the potential weakness of BEVs in heating, a "heat pump system" is employed, utilizing excess heat generated by the battery system to warm the cabin. The front seats are equipped with standard heating and ventilation, and the rear seats also feature heating, ensuring efficiency even in harsh winters.

Safety features utilize radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensor technology to provide adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and monitor surrounding traffic to reduce accident risks. It also includes features like Side Bicycle Alert, a first for Cadillac.

The Lyriq is typically available in three body colors, but a special campaign running until Sunday, March 16th, offers a choice of five colors. All models feature right-hand drive, with prices starting at 11 million yen.