General Motors is a player to watch closely in the months and years ahead. Ultium battery technology will be found in a plethora of new electric models, from pickup trucks capable of overcoming any obstacle – we’re thinking of the two GMC Hummers in particular – to mainstream SUVs, such as Chevrolet, which has already confirmed the arrival of an electric Equinox.
But this new chapter in GM’s electric era will begin very soon, before the end of the month to be precise. Indeed, the very first EV based on this new Ultium platform will soon go into production. The Cadillac Lyriq already exists in prototype form, the luxury crossover that has already been assembled a few times since January at the Spring Hill, Tennessee plant.
In fact, production is scheduled to begin on March 21, according to sources at Cadillac Society. This assumption makes sense, though, since GM had already indicated that production would begin in March 2022.
Remember that the initial objectives were to assemble 3,200 units per year, but these have been revised upwards slightly, with GM now wanting to produce more than 25,000 copies of the Cadillac SUV. This is a testament to the consumer’s enthusiasm for this first Ultium-based vehicle.
The first vehicles to be assembled will be, not surprisingly, the Debut Edition, which is a very well-equipped edition of the crossover. These first vehicles are equipped with a single engine positioned on the rear axle, so the Cadillac Lyriq Debut Edition is a rear-wheel drive version. The powertrain produces 340 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque with an estimated range of 300 miles (or 482 km). Don’t worry, Cadillac will also release an all-wheel drive variant, almost a must these days in the Canadian market.
What’s clear, at least, is that there will be a lot more on offer in a few months in this luxury electric crossover category, thanks to Cadillac, but also other brands like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz or even Lexus.
