General Motors Europe confirmed that Cadillac will return to the UK market with the all-electric Lyriq SUV leading the charge.
Pere Brugal, CEO of General Motors Europe, told Autocar that the brand’s comeback starts with its Lyriq SUV. The GM-owned luxury brand officially returned to Europe in 2021 after setting up European headquarters in Zurich.
The Lyriq has been available across select European markets since 2023. It currently sells for €79,000 – roughly £68,000 – in Switzerland, France, Sweden, and Germany.
The electric SUV competes directly with the Volvo EX90 and Hyundai Ioniq 9.
While Cadillac hasn’t announced an official launch date, sources indicate the Lyriq’s UK arrival is imminent. The company recently wrapped up right-hand-drive testing in Ireland.
Brugal confirmed that a second model will join the Lyriq lineup.
“We want to make sure we launch with not only one model portfolio,”
he said at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Industry observers speculate the Optiq SUV – Cadillac’s smallest electric SUV – could be that second model. Nothing’s been confirmed yet.
Sales Strategy
Cadillac won’t sell through Arnold Clark dealerships like GM’s current UK lineup. Those showrooms currently handle the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, hybrid Corvette E-Ray, and track-focused ZR1.
Instead, Cadillac will use an online sales model. Pop-up “experience” centers similar to Polestar’s approach will support the digital strategy.
Performance Specs
The entry-level Lyriq delivers 530 kilometers of range – about 330 miles – with 520 horsepower, according to Cadillac Europe’s website.
The performance-oriented Lyriq V bumps power to 606 horsepower.
That extra grunt comes with a trade-off. Range drops to 460 kilometers – approximately 286 miles.
The Lyriq V features a synthesized engine note based on the V8 motor from Cadillac’s V-Series.R prototype. That car competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
This marks Cadillac’s return to the UK after years of absence from the British market. The brand’s focusing entirely on electric models for its European comeback.
