After Escalade, Cadillac to take lead on EVs

Cadillac is to become General Motors' lead electric vehicle brand and will begin introducing its first EVs in the next few years while continuing its swift cadence of gas-powered vehicle launches.

So far, Cadillac has confirmed EV plans for the Lyriq, a sporty midsize crossover, and the Celestiq, a handmade flagship sedan, along with three more utility vehicles.

In the meantime, the brand will begin selling the redesigned Escalade later this year and add high-powered, Blackwing versions of the CT4 and CT5 sedans in 2021.

Cadillac also plans to expand Super Cruise, its driver-assist technology that launched on the now-defunct CT6, across the lineup, starting with the CT4, CT5 and Escalade this year.

CT4/CT5: Cadillac will revive the Blackwing badge on the CT4 and CT5 V-Series performance subbrand. The CT4-V is equipped with Cadillac's high-output 2.7-liter turbo engine rated at 325 hp. The CT5-V is powered by Cadillac's high-output 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine rated at 360 hp. Both sedans will be freshened in 2023. Their next updates, in 2025 or 2026, could convert them to EVs.

Celestiq: Expected to go on sale in 2023, the high-performance, ultra-luxury sedan will be hand-built in low volumes at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Mich., at a rate of 1.2 vehicles per day. Cadillac is dubbing the Celestiq its flagship EV.

XT4: The XT4's first freshening is expected in 2023, just more than four years after its launch. A redesign likely will follow around 2025, when it could increase in size as it moves to a slightly larger platform. It could also be renamed at that time as the brand moves away from alphanumerics.

Electric crossover: At least one electric crossover may in be the works for Cadillac in 2024.

Lyriq: The Lyriq is one of two EVs that Cadillac has announced. The sporty midsize crossover likely will be built in Orion, Mich., and it will be one of the first vehicles to adopt Cadillac's new EV naming strategy — ending names with "iq." It also will be one of the first EVs to be powered by GM's proprietary Ultium batteries. GM showed reporters a preview of the Lyriq in March ahead of a reveal that was set for April but has shifted to a virtual debut Aug. 6 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Lyriq will go on sale in 2022.

XT5: Expect a redesign of the XT5, and potentially a new name, in 2023.

XT6: New in 2020, the XT6 is in line for a freshening of the front and rear fascia and the interior in 2024.

Escalade/Escalade ESV: The redesigned Escalade will be available with Super Cruise later this year. The fifth-generation Escalade is larger and bolder than previous generations, with significant legroom and cargo space increases. It also features an industry-first curved OLED display that spans half of the dashboard. The interior underwent a major overhaul, inspired by the styling of the Cadillac Escala Concept.

Large electric SUV: In 2023, Cadillac is expected to launch an electric SUV similar in size to the Escalade. The SUV will be built at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly and could be an electric version of the Escalade or a new nameplate.

Extra-large electric SUV: An even bigger electric SUV is likely to launch in 2024. It's expected to be the size of an Escalade ESV and will be built at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly.