Back in March, Cadillac had announced that its first fully-electric vehicle will be a crossover called the Lyriq, while also teasing the general shape of the upcoming model. Then in June, Caddy released a few more teasers of the Lyriq, while also announcing that the model will be revealed on August 6th. Besides the various technical details surrounding the upcoming vehicle, we have been wondering how the Cadillac Lyriq name came about, so we caught up with Cadillac’s head of global brand strategy, Phil Dauchy, who shed some light on the matter.
Dauchy says that the Lyriq name is part of a new Cadillac vehicle naming structure that will end in “iq.” These new names, which will replace the CT# and XT# nomenclature used on current cars and crossovers powered by internal combustion engines, are meant to show the world that there is a change in the sails at Cadillac.
The new nomenclature “signals that Cadillac is bringing a different type of vehicle to market, one that works in concert with man, nature, and machine,” says Dauchy.
The Lyriq name, specifically, is a nod to the fact that Cadillac is the most mentioned brand in songs. No other brand, automotive or otherwise, comes close.
As an added bonus, the “iq” suffix provides a distinctive dose of alliteration, although in reverse. Pronouncing “Cadillac Lyriq” or “Cadillac Celestiq” aloud makes the alliteration quite obvious. Celestiq is the name assigned to an upcoming Cadillac flagship full-size sedan that will be hand-built and cost around $200,000.
“When you see [the Cadillac Celestiq], its size, presence and scale all connote the emotion associated with the name,” Dauchy adds.
The Lyriq, which will be Cadillac’s first-ever fully-electric car, was originally slated for a reveal last April. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed those plans. The model will now make its debut, in concept form, during a virtual event set for August 6th, 2020 at 7 PM EST.
We’ll have a lot more about the this upcoming Cadillac model soon, so be sure to subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac Lyriq news, and around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
Frank Ricciardi
A $200,000 Electric Cadillac, really ??????????
Thomas Collins
I dont know where you get that nuber, but that just will not be true in the market
Thomas Collins
I dont know where you get that number, but that just will not be true in the market
Owen
I wish Cadillac would bring back an updated version of the XLR
Geoff
$200K is a number for the Celestiq concept, intended to be a hand-built EV flagship. Priced accordingly for what you will get, IMO.
The Lyriq, is the replacement for the XT5, so I assume it will be priced similarly.
Thomas Collins
so a 50k cadillac EV is more likely the number. even with a low range plug in(Volt) we have saved thousand in fuel costs, and maintenance is pretty close to nothing.
Owen
Don’t bet on it
Vaughan Pratt
I’m willing to bet on it if you are.
Christopher Cummings
The national power grid, charging infrastructure, residential home wiring, and consumer acceptance are all going to have to ramp up exponentially if Mother Mary’s vision of an imminent all-electric future is going to work out. Meanwhile, I’m not convinced that quirky/cutesy naming conventions add much to a division that’s supposed to be about superlatives and standard setting. But then, I’m just a customer.
Ronald Olson
I have the ct6 V before I head the ATS V the ats-v in 1/8 mile 95 to 96 the Blackwing which I thought would be at least the same or better only went 90 it doesn’t make sense to me mine is it 2020 I sure like to know more about this why the power is down
GeorgeS
Why is faster always better? Never made sense to me. All automotive articles will give phrase for being 1/10th of a second faster but they never measure the drivers delay reaction.
Cadillacbrit
What has this comment got to do with the Lyriq?
Greg
Excellent question. You must be new here. 😉
xjug
“are meant to show the world that there is a change in the sails at Cadillac” – which has been rudderless since about 1990. This is stupid and Cadillac should return to its roots, rebuild what it was, reestablish, and then move forward. This Lysol had better be insane because the Audi eTron product line is already in Gen II and its slick w/a gorgeous interior, albeit at a pretty price. Same for the Porsche EV. The high price, high content Germans will be used by GM to set pricing on the Lysol but it won’t be as nice, possibly a longer range but not as nice. It’ll have a “jet black” crappy plastic interior, be priced too high and in typical GM tradition (under this pathetic Mgt Team) put huge incentives on them. Finally there is little chance (IMO) that GM is going to sell a completely untested vehicle for $200K as they lack experience in that market, heck they cant get $40K CT4/XT4’s right, the XT6 is a disaster and the XT5 is ehh… And look at the potential wasted in the CT6 which GM just abandoned… I predict GM is gone in 10years…
John
I have have owned 5 Cadillacs and currently have a 2020 CT6 Premium Luxury. A $200,000 electric is not reality and all the cross-overs/SUV’s/pickups don’t fit into everyones life style or what they want to spend their hard-earned cash on. I looked at a Tesla before ordering the 2020 CT6 and with all the upgrades needed for charging it would have added another $20K to the already $80K price.
Cadillac and GM need to wake up and bring back the full-sized sedans to the line ups. I will NOT down size to the CT5/4. I want a FULL SIZE luxury sedan, not something that I have to try to find a charging station for when traveling. Looks like I’ll be trying to find a FULL size luxury CAR in another brand. Good luck to the American automobile industry.
Steven toia
I think Cadillac is going to do great over the next 10 years. Ordering CT5 V in Oct. leaving a Masarati for it. Especially now that they upgraded the interior from 2020 and added all digital dash. I am over all the the Germans as well….Same old. Cadillac just beat all Germans in Quality as well.
paul holterhaus
$20k to charge.???……What planet are You on……..My 240v,16Amp charge cost Me $250…………….Paul
Dennis Bender
How about giving us a list of all the songs Cadi has been mentioned in?
Maybelline drove a Coupe Deville. (Chuck Berry)
How many others, with titles and artists.
Thomas Collins
looking forward to this vehicle from Cadillac. Tesla has set an early high bar of innovation and modern transportation, I am sure Cadillac will match it!
paul holterhaus
The Caddy is far nicer…………Paul
Gregg
I’m excited to see the new SUV and the technology. Cadillac needed to set a new way forward hopefully this will set the tone. I like and have tested the CT4 and CT5. They has less cluttered interiors and feel different than their peers.
Owen
I’ve owned five Cadillacs and presently own a XT five matter of fact this is my second XT5, I really enjoy the car and I hope Cadillac keeps it in it’s lineup