As previously reported by GM Authority, the Chinese-spec 2024 Cadillac Lyriq AWD wears a 700E4 badge as a representation of the electric crossover’s torque rating in Newton-meters (Nm). Interestingly, Lyriq AWD models destined for the North American market will wear a 600E4 badge. Today, GM Authority explains the reasoning behind this discrepancy.
Before we continue, it’s worth understanding Cadillac’s nomenclature in the first place. Using the 700E4 designation as an example – per Caddy’s torque-based alphanumeric naming convention – the “700” represents 710 Nm (524 pound-feet of torque), the “E” refers to the model’s all-electric drivetrain, and the “4” constitutes 4WD/AWD. From there, Cadillac rounds the torque rating in Nm to the nearest 50.
Following this structure, the 2024 Lyriq AWD sold in North America features a torque rating of 610 Nm, or 450 pound-feet, thereby getting the 600E4 moniker.
For those wondering why the Lyriq’s output differs across the two markets, it comes down to battery packs. The Chinese-market Lyriq uses a different Ultium battery pack from its North American counterpart, one that uses cylindrical cells instead of pouch-style cells. To accommodate for this discrepancy, SAIC-GM – the Chinese joint venture responsible for GM operations and production in China – is working with a different partner than LG Chem, which supplies pouch-style Ultium batteries to GM in North America.
Meanwhile, the rear-drive Lyriq wears a 450E badge, indicating 440 Nm of torque. The lack of a “4” after the “E” indicates two-wheel-drive (rear-wheel-drive, to be exact).
The 600E4 badge represents the highest numerical badge of any Cadillac model currently sold in North America. However, the honor of the highest numerical Cadillac badge ever goes to the Cadillac CT6 Platinum, which featured an 800T badge, where the ‘T’ designated a turbocharged engine. This luxury sedan was powered by a detuned version of the 4.2L LTA V8 twin-turbo engine, otherwise known as the Blackwing engine, and produced 778 Nm or 574 pound-feet of torque.
As a reminder, the Cadillac Lyriq is based on the GM BEV3 platform and is propelled by GM Ultium Drive motors. For North American markets, production of the 2024 model is set to kick off on March 17th, 2023 at the GM Spring Hill plant in Tennessee.
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Comments
Sorry, but I don’t understand.
They use different battery, OK, but the chinese battery is smaller.
the chinese version.
They use CATL cyclindrical cell,
Max 95.7kW-h (No mention if its capacity or usable)
Amercian 102kW-h (Usable).
So, why higher capacity has less torque you ask?
No one here knows, unless GM disclose if the two AWD uses the same motor?
Or likewise, the battery amperage and voltage is proportion to the wattage output.
So, the only explanation of the lower output on the american awd is that the battery output is lower than the cyclindrical lithium battery.
I suspect it also has to do with the Gearing within the Motors.
The Chinese model is probably the better deal considering how much GM loves China.
USA, gm’s home market, the country that built the old GM, is now second fiddle to China, a country that would annihilate us in a second. Does not make me feel warm and fuzzy, sry. Not that I’m a fan of EV in any way, shape or form, but it’s been obvious for a while, gm’s withdrawal.
The reality is much of the auto industry would fail if notl for the sales in China.
It is like the industries drug.
Does anyone know if any or all of the 4WDrive cars have a disengage feature to allow just 2 WDrive like trucks and if so will the 4WDrive models then be near as efficient as the 2WDrive in terms of miles obtained for the same battery packs or whatever each has? I hope so.
Could GM have opened up reserved portions of the battery based on road data from the RWD owners early models? Seeing essentially no range drop from RWD to AWD is very puzzling. The post above said the 102KW-h was usable. What if were max, then releasing some of the reserve (used to shuffle charging of cells) to increase the usable value in AWD Lyriqs could explain the range. Thoughts?
I finally got into a Lyric yesterday. It is a very nice vehicle and very un EV like.
By far one of the best looking EV models out.
So not only does the China version have more power, it also had a longer range according to reports published last month. Not sure how that is really accomplished if it can use more power and has less battery capacity. Something doesn’t add up.
It seems like the China versions may be better that the US models and the US ranking is number 2 in GMs eyes. Next step will be GMC moving offices to China and renaming themselves CGMC. Almost March and to my knowledge my dealership has had no Lyriqs of any model delivered as of yet.
The original numbers on range converting the Chinese test data indicated the AWD range would be 287 miles if the USEPA test was used. That made sense as a 20-30 mile drop from RWD to AWD is common. The last posted number for the US was 308 estimated by GM (I assume using the USEPA test circuit), so I don’t get your comment.
I have postulated that the 102 KW-h is the max available and not usable. Then, due to actual owner data, they have opened up some of the reserves for the AWD to bring the range up. I’d like to see if anyone has any better ideas on why no drop. I think if the RWD range goes up too, I’ll take that a confirmation.