Smaller Cadillac electric SUV firms up
American luxury brand’s Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX2 fighter could come to AustraliaCadillac is debating just how small it can go as it evolves into an EV-only luxury auto brand.
The General Motors premium division, which will be launched in Australia later this year with the Cadillac Lyriq large electric SUV, recently revealed the smaller Optiq electric SUV as its most compact EV so far.
But it is 4.8 metres long, which makes it closer in size to the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3, rather than entry-level luxury electric SUVs such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1, which measure up at under 4.6m.
Cadillac’s orthodox range of models includes the ageing XT4 compact SUV, which is smaller than the Optiq at 4.6m long and slated to cease production in 2026 according to US industry news outlet Automotive News.
The authoritative publication has also reported that another smaller Cadillac SUV could be added by 2025 alongside the Optiq, which itself is yet to be confirmed for Australian release alongside the Lyriq.
So there is a hole opening up that potentially could be filled by an electric SUV.
A smaller Cadillac SUV has already been teased this year via an official GM Design social media post of a compact five-door coupe-style SUV.
The sleek vehicle, complete with the usual oversized wheels and ski racks, looks like a direct rival for the BMW iX2 and Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback.
At a recent roundtable with Australian journalists to discuss Cadillac’s local launch later in 2024, global design chief admitted there was internal debate about how small an EV from the brand could be.
“We have been studying that for quite a bit and always in a sense relative to the brand,” said Nesbitt.
“There’s a typical pull of wanting to get a smaller vehicle into the showroom and that’s always been there actually and how do you go about doing it and what’s the next execution to getting you there.
“But it can be quite challenging for Cadillac in particular to pull it off right.”
The poster child for Cadillac’s downsizing drama is the 1990s Catera, a rebadged Opel Omega built in Germany and intended to be a rival for the BMW 3 Series.
It was a commercial flop and summed up the lack of respect that GM was paying its flagship brand at that time.
“We have some unfortunate history with doing small [models] with the brand,” admitted Nesbitt.
“It is a question of how you execute as you downsize.”
Nesbitt pointed out the size of battery packs in EVs and the wheelbase and track they require is one challenge for the successful design of a smaller model.
“The other is what is relevant for the brand and delivering on the value proposition.
“So how can we create something still special? As you can imagine the smaller you get the less you have to work with.”
Related: How Cadillac will succeed in Australia
Related: Cadillac Optiq revealed in full and all but certain for Oz
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