- The regular dual-motor Cadillac Lyriq already gets 515 horsepower. If you’re crazy enough to think that’s not enough, here’s something crazier.
- The Lyriq-V is the first all-electric V-Series model that will carry the legacy of GM’s performance models into the electric era.
- It gets a significant power boost, adequate range and menacing black accents all over to match the performance.
General Motors rang in the new year by reporting record-breaking EV sales for last year. Now, it wants to end January on a high note. Meet the quickest Cadillac ever, which just happens to be electric: the 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V.
GM has a legacy of building high-performance gas cars—just look at the Chevy Corvette, Camaro and Cadillac V-Series and V-Series Blackwing models. Going electric with its performance cars is almost a no-brainer at this stage, given how much power e-motors can unlock.
Plus, the standard Cadillac Lyriq is no slouch. The dual-motor variant cranks out 515 horsepower and offers 319 miles of EPA-rated range. But for those who demand more, the Lyriq-V one packs 615 hp, 650 pound-feet of torque and a menacing look to match with sporty all-black accents and a host of performance-focused upgrades.
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Just like the M1/M2 steering-mounted buttons on the BMW M models or the N switch on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the Lyriq-V gets a V-mode on the steering to unlock all the oomph at the press of a (haptic) button. This button puts the vehicle in Competitive Mode (the equivalent of Tesla’s Insane Mode), maximizes traction, and activates a “unique sound experience.”
With launch control, the Lyriq-V will sprint from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds, slightly quicker than the CT5-V Blackwing’s 3.4-second sprint.
Photo by: Cadillac
Cadillac didn’t just stop at that. To help the Lyriq-V put down all that power effectively, there’s a suite of chassis enhancements. It has specially calibrated adaptive dampers, which are now lowered, although it’s unclear by how much exactly. The steering ratio is quicker, and the front wheels have Brembo performance brake calipers for better -stopping power. There’s also the cringe-sounding “Velocity Max” drive-selectable setting that unleashes all of the 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.
A 102-kilowatt-hour (usable) lithium-ion battery will deliver an estimated 285 miles of range. The EPA estimate is not available yet.
Charging speeds are slightly slower than the regular models. With DC fast charging, it can add up to 75 miles of range in 10 minutes, whereas the regular model can add about 86 miles at the same time. Cadillac hasn’t provided a 10-80% charging time. Instead, it said the EV can charge “from a low state of charge to 80%” in 41 minutes.
Photo by: Cadillac
Visually, it sets itself apart with a redesigned lower air intake, blacked-out 22-inch wheels, a black-painted roof and a special color option, Magnus Metal Frost.
Inside, the Lyriq-V will debut an augmented reality heads-up display. And what’s different from the normal version is power-adjustable seat bolsters and V-Series graphics on the infotainment. It shares the rest of the kit with the regular model, like the 33-inch display and 23-speaker Dolby Atmos audio. It also gets GM’s Super Cruise advanced driver assistance system as standard.
Production will begin this quarter at GM’s Spring Hill, Tennessee plant. It will also be sold in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some other countries to be announced later. In the U.S., the Lyriq-V is priced $79,990, including destination, excluding taxes and other fees.
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