Cadillac puts on quite a light show with the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, welcoming the driver upon approach with a choreographed, animated sequence of 50 LEDs. It highlights the all-electric nature of its new flagship crossover.
As the driver walks up to the Lyriq, the approach is signaled by two light dots shooting up the vertical side daytime running lights as a precursor to the main show.
It starts with Cadillac’s new monochromatic crest sequentially lighting up – with the Lyriq being the first Caddy to have it illuminated. This is followed by lines at the bottom of the grille that light up in succession from the center and out to the outside and then up to the top. Lights then go across the very thin turn signals just under the hood line and cascade back down into the daytime running lights as they fill up from the top as dots that blend into a solid stripe. This climaxes with the row of vertical LED headlights next to it that visually “drop in” from bottom to top till all nine beams are lit.
In the automaker’s reveal video of the new Lyriq, Cadillac Chief Designer Andrew Smith describes it as a “complex animation pattern.”
It’s all part of a light show that is the new Cadillac Lyriq. Lights are pushed to the outside, fill in the grille, and then back down, and on to the back in the taillights. The show continues inside with unique lighting on the doors and a vertical line treatment on the unique 33-inch horizontal, curved, advanced LED screen that echoes that of the grille.
The grille, of course, is actually not one at all since the Lyriq is an EV. In fact, it houses multiple radar sensors behind it for GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology. The automaker calls the grille an “illuminated Black Crystal Shield” with an “innovative finishing technique that utilizes three-dimensional texturing for dramatic depth and detail.”
The 2023 Cadillac Lyriq represents the first model year of the upcoming electric crossover while also being the brand’s first all-electric vehicle. As such, the Lyriq ushers in a new era in luxury, technology, and electrification. The vehicle is built on the GM BEV3 platform using GM Ultium batteries and Ultium Drive motors.
The Lyriq is also the first vehicle to flaunt the brand’s next-generation styling, offering signature vertical lighting along with Cadillac’s distinctive black crystal grille. Featuring a profile reminiscent of a shooting brake, the all-electric crossover is slightly larger than the current Cadillac XT5.
Inside, the Cadillac Lyriq’s interior is clean and simple with a focus on secondary and tertiary design elements, including intricate laser etched patterns through wood over metal decor. It comes very well equipped, including front massaging seats, a new Surround Vision Recorder, and GM’s Super Cruise. The 33-inch screen features a unique Human-Machine Interface (HMI) designed using software from Altia to provide a readouts for instrumentation and infotainment, navigation, and various onboard controls.
Other highlights of the Cadillac Lyriq include Cadillac’s next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system and an AKG Studio 19-speaker audio system with speakers within headrests, a new dual-plane augmented reality-enhanced head-up display, and supervised remote parking.
Pricing for the new, all-electric, rear-wheel-drive 2023 Cadillac Lyriq Debut Edition starts at $59,990 in the U.S., including destination freight charge, and production is set to begin at the GM Spring Hill Assembly plant in Tennessee in early 2022. Cadillac started accepting reservations on September 18th at 4 pm EST and the initial Debut Edition sold out just a few minutes thereafter.
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Comments
Nice overall design, but there’s a fine line between glitzy and cheesy…best not to cross it.
Agree with you 100%… Lyriq is close to that line, and depending on the quality of the components will determine which side of the line Lyriq falls on.
Yes, I agree as well.
The grill shield is polycarbonate with black painted background and LED .
In 2 years gm will decontent this feature to save money for the hydro powered cars.
I wonder how much it will cost to repair if you crash the lyriq in the front end, that wouldn’t be cheap. Even though the Lyriq looks outstanding, I’m still not sure about that LED grill treatment.
I personally think it’s over the line no matter how good the execution. However, it’s all a matter of taste and Cadillac appears to believe the subset of the market they seek will be wowed by it.
I once read that intelligent and cultured people have a normal-sized, or even small TV and a lot of books. On the other end of the spectrum there are those with the gigantic TV and no books. In my years of being in other people’s homes, I’ve found that to be a true barometer.
Cadillac has chosen their target market and created a vehicle they hope will appeal to them.
Well, the 98%-99% are not wealthy and consider poor to middle class. I personally think that your first sentence apply to the one percenters. So apparently, you hang out with the 1% which is nothing wrong at all. But I would hate to be judge that way based on the car I drive.
I see this as the first major EV from GM and they are wanting it to be noticed.
The Nose may have some extra light but I see it as miles better than the faceless and featureless Tesla that just has no personality.
As things roll GM will gauge public acceptance and adjust it to what they like.
You have to start someplace and if you don’t show what is possible many will never understand what can be done if you don’t show them.
The aftermarket is now offering decals for the Tesla so owners can address the lack of personality.
One thing for sure no one will biT%h there is no LED on this GM model.
One thing to note is the public as a whole has an LED fetish. One of the major complaints is the lack of LED all round vehicles. There is a big market now to retrofit many models.
I’m so excited I love being blinded but goofs who have these super bright lights on at night. Nothing better then a hey look at me I’m cool right.
Yeah, but how will this look when half the lights burn out! And what cost to replace?
That will be the second or third owners concern.
Lies it’s a gm product which means it will happen during the first 6 months.
Totally agree. The tesla’s (3/Y) grills look like the mouth of someone duct taped while the latest X/S grills look like the face of someone getting an exam by a proctologist. Grills matter. I’d be surprised if there is not a setting to disable the light show if the customer wants.
The car has great lines, but this ain’t a grille, it’s a piece of black plastic with some leds. Would prefer if the front design features followed function and form….as it does for the rest of the car, at least to my eye. The front feels anachronistic…kind of like a half vinyl roof with opera lamps…though I guess that worked for a while.
Well it is the front of the car, and it has something. I don’t like the Tesla front, or the bolt. Both are awful. Even though the Leaf is also pretty bland, somehow it works on it. The tesla/bolt may as well have duct tape on the front.
It’s not plastic, it’s polycarbonate with black painted background and LEDs
Agree, Lyriq is much better looking on the nose than any Tesla. Tesla’s are the best selling EV’s in the world because they are great EV’s (Range, Charging Speed and Efficiency), not because they look good.
My gosh though, Tesla is legit now, 14% net profit… Unbelievable.
Um, 390M in carbon credits from just China. I’ve not drilled into the numbers deeply, but how much of the 14% is credits? All?
Better go look at the numbers again, 30% gross profit sans credits, no other car maker is even close to that.
You want to sell EV credits, anyone can, just make lots of Ev’s. Tesla just did it first, and did it the best.
Donavan don’t try to talk numbers to these people they are clueless.
Or because they are the only really established EV car on the market.
C8.R you said Tesla was overrated when the stock was at $600, now its at $900 and climbing…
Lol I hear 🦗 from him now 🤣
If I wanted to hear from you I would have farted.
You just wanna be able to say whatever then when you are wrong which is 99% of the time you are quiet.
It is my right to voice our opinions here and just because you don’t agree does not make you right.
Who said it wasn’t your “right”? It’s the internet so of course you can say all that BS you constantly spew. It doesn’t have anything to do with me being right you have been wrong about a majority of the things you said, just like when you made those comments about the gm stock price then when you were wrong for 5 weeks in a row you never showed up lmao. Like I said you just like to say things in hopes people agree with you then don’t call you out when you are wrong.
You don’t want to hear from anyone that doesn’t agree with you. It’s ok to admit you were wrong about a lot of things that doesn’t make you any less of a man. That is something you should practice.
Still not worth that much. They still need to make money at some point snd pay a decent dividend.
We’re still waiting the the monstrosity truck. The semi and sorts models announced years ago. Once the others enter the EV market these late models will not work.
Perhaps you missed Tesla Q3 earnings report where they reported gross profit over 30%, and net profit of 14%, That, my friend, is making money, stock today broke $1000, making Tesla the first TRILLION DOLLAR AUTOMAKER. Worth it or not is subjective, but I will happily take my gains to the bank, and smile.
Donavan,
I personally think the Tesla Model S is a great looking vehicle. In fact, even as old as it now is, it still looks clean, classic, and fresh. It has excellent proportions and a perfect stance and relies on that graceful form rather than cheap gimmicks to make a statement.
That being said, Tesla is certainly not above gimmicks with their cars to gather attention. The steering yoke in the updated Model S is completely unnecessary and created a solution to a problem that they invented.
The Model X’s Falcon-Wing doors are another gimmick that are more trouble than they’re worth.
Finally, the Cybertruck is a massive styling gimmick and has Musk’s fingerprints all over it. It could be another reason why it’s so delayed.
I appreciate Cadillac and other companies at least looking into the function of grills as we move towards electric. .
Agree that the falcon doors and yoke are gimmicks, but they still operate as doors and a steering device…they’re just a different form. Whether they’re well liked, or not (I do not care for them) they’re a fully functional gimmick.
On the other hand, the grille isn’t a grille…it’s a completely faux element designed to make the observer think it’s a grille, then peppered with lights for reasons that are unclear. Putting the leds aside, I guess the look might please an eye looking for familiar cues. However, the architect in me would call it “dishonest design” because it is trying to mislead, not enhance
…one guy’s opinion
Falcon wing doors are pure Elon Musk Hubris, and likely cost Tesla a billion dollars when you figure engineering cost, production cost and warranty cost. Imagine though how far ahead Tesla would be if they did not have Elon Musk making unforced errors every time they turn around. Elon Musk’s fully automated model 3 assembly likely cost Tesla another Billion, and they ended up doing better with hand assembly in a circus tent.
Peter Rawlinson who was the chief engineer of the Model S, and Model X during early development told Musk those doors were a bad idea, and would be tough to produce reliably. Books have been written, you can read all about it.
Isn’t this thread about the design philosophy of the front of a Lyriq…what in god’s name does this have to do with Tesla and Elon Musk?
You don’t like it read another article then.
You are stuck with Elon. To be fair you owe you illogical stock prices to his cheerleading.
Not4one,
You can make that two guys’ opinion. I agree with you on the falcon wing doors.
Every vehicle needs doors and there have been various options implemented over the years such as the aforementioned falcon wings and suicide doors being another option. There’s nothing wrong with out-of-the-box thinking on doors. I actually think the falcon wings make the Model X more appealing. On the other hand, nobody needs a cheesy light show on the front of their vehicle that plays out upon every approach. It’s about nothing more than theatrics. If it were the emblem only and maybe one other element, I might feel differently but the whole effect of what Cadillac did is overdone and too low-brow for my tastes.
As I said earlier though, the Lyriq isn’t for me and I know that so naturally I don’t like it. The demographic Cadillac seeks may love it. I’m pretty sure Cadillac has done their market research and they know that their target will be ‘delighted’ by it, as Mary likes to say.
The cybertruck is bigger then anything gm will ever put out. Doesn’t matter what you think or say the numbers will talk.
Having owned about 50 cars and trucks, I conclude that the Cybertruck is uglier than any of them. It’s the ugliest vehicle ever proposed. It also is far more gimmicky than the Cadillac being discussed. Straight out of a gamer’s basement abode.
Great thanks for your opinion Jim I’m so glad you shared your thoughts with us.
Model S is the best looking Tesla, X and Y are awful, and 3, is not great, but the discussion was about the “nose” specifically, and all of the Tesla noses look cheap.
BTW, I have a Y, and love it as a run around car, one of the funnest cars I have ever owned, but it ain’t too pretty too look at.. A fat girl joke comes to mind, but being politically correct I will keep it to myself.
Am loving it lights are Cool when used the right way, this is the right way American cars has to have style and soul CADILLAC future vehicles has both
Not says america like a cheap plastic grill made to look expensive with a bunch of led lights. I’m sure the low self esteem people who need to be seen will love this car.
I don’t know what planet you been hiding on all vehicles today have plastic grilles Hell the 2022 whole rear bumper is plastic with the cheapest grille on the market
What a stupid comment everyone lives on earth so stop saying stupid things. You are right all gm products have cheap crappy plastic grills I will agree with you on that.
As opposed to the light-up star and circle on a Mercedes.
IMO, there should not be a defeat switch to cut off the light show since Cadillac put all this complicated work into the design of the light show process. If you can’t stand being seen in this car, this vehicle is not for you.
Like I said in the other thread, this vehicle will sell well.
Not sure why Cadillac always getting criticize when they do something different and branch out from the competition but eventually allot of automakers will follow suit.
I agree, this Cadillac will sell well, as long as GM has good leasing programs, as this segment is very lease driven.
I think not only should there be a defeat switch, but the customer should be able to program their own. Much like ringtones for phones.
I’m sure the insurance companies are just LOVING all the non-remanufacturable/repairable items making their way into these vehicles.
Get ready for $300/mo premiums.
You already have $1500 head lamps on cheap Korean cars. None are cheap today.
My man will back gm no matter what they do you are the #1 fan. 😎
Do anybody get information onAWD?
Yup 2029
Cannot be any worse than a Kia K900. 34 grand for minor front collisions. Jalopnik reported this back in 2018. Repairs have gotten way more expensive. I think I saw some features require a football field distance to calibrate. Don’t recall if that was a headlight thing or the adaptive cruise.
Why no frunk?
Because they are cheap it’s gm.
Because they put all the charging equipment and other Battery/vehicle components in there, giving it a flatter cargo floor.
BS, @Nebula, its because GM EV’s use parts from Ice vehicles for the cooling system, and HVAC which take up too much space.
Tesla Y has the same cargo space in a much smaller car, and still has a frunk… Its called better engineering and packaging. Oh ya, The Y is also AWD, more powerful, and 1000 lbs lighter too.
You have no clue what you are talking about as usual. I have come to the conclusion you just say things and hope people think what you are saying is true.
Can’t wait for the 2027 model when they decide to add this treatment to the sides, top, and underneath the vehicle. Add some color LEDs and it will look like a Christmas tree with wheels. Maybe they will sell well at the North Pole.
can you imagine the cost to replace the grill in a small bump accident.
This thread just proves the decline of society. You just can’t make some folks happy no matter what you do. Haters are just going to hate.
GM plans to launch 30 new electric vehicles around the world by 2025, more than two-thirds of which will be available in North America. The vehicles will span GM’s entire brand portfolio, including Cadillac, Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet, and will come in a range of prices.
Anyone realize how long it will take Tesla to release 3O different models. Add in the other companies that are staging more releases. Tesla will not continue to find they are no longer a small fish in a small pond but a small fish in a ocean. Most of these other auto companies just have the ability to do much more in a much shorter time.
Then add in the expected innovations that these other companies will bring it will be a very competitive market for all MFGs not just one. Tesla needs to restyle the S as it is getting long in the tooth. Not a bad looking car but it is becoming the modern day Checker. Removing the faux grill does not count.
Also it would be beneficial if Tesla can get their cars to not run into emergency vehicles too. Get these cars to shut off the auto pilot so the owners too ignorant to shut it off when needed have to take control to protect others.
No this thread just proves once again you can’t stand when someone says something about gm that you don’t agree with. See most people can be subjective about vehicles but you can’t because you are a hardcore fanboy. gm could literally crap in there hand and show it to you and you would say oh that smells good.
That grille LED stuff will be the next spinner rims. Fashionable for a while, then a cliche.
Lol
90% of my driving is during the day, so don’t really know how bold a statement all those marquee movie sign lights will make. The shape seems attractive enough.
The comment about ‘a Fine Line between Cheesy and Glitzy’ was spot-on…. I think its Cheesy but others in my household who help pay the bills say its Glitzy… So I guess that means I’ll buy one – but not for the silly light show.
I like my current ELR : Understated Elegance…. Does not brag about being an electric car. But it still turns heads simply because it is a sharp looking car – and Ironically, its the front driving lights that do it…..
Reminiscent of a high class garage door with matching lighted coachman lanterns on each side.
I think it’s a great looking vehicle. That said I’m curious what the life span of all of those lights are. And what is the cost to replace a light or lights?