Cadillac Lyriq confirmed for NZ and will arrive next year

Cadillac is officially coming to New Zealand, with our market among the first in the world to receive its fully electric Lyriq in right-hand drive guise.

Vice President of the American carmaker, John Roth, confirmed that the model will be available in both Australia and on our shores as a 2025 model, suggesting it will arrive by the end of next year.

The Lyriq will be built in right-hand drive from the factory, meaning it doesn’t have to go through GMSV’s remanufacturing process like other General Motors products such as the Chevrolet Silverado.

It’s also Cadillac’s first fully electric vehicle, offered in both rear- and all-wheel drive, with respective ranges of 505km and 494km. However, we don’t yet know the specifications of locally offered models, nor pricing.

What we do know is that the Lyriq will feature Caddy’s Ultium Battery Platform, five-link front and rear suspension, a 33-inch diagonal display with built-in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity inside, ambient lighting, and a bold new look.

The good news doesn’t stop there though, as Jess Bala, Managing Director of GM Australia and New Zealand, confirmed that this is only the beginning for the brand down under.

“Cadillac will be in a position to offer a fully electric portfolio by 2030,” she said.

“Launching our all-new, all-electric Cadillac EV business in Australia and New Zealand positions us well to be able to select the right models for these markets – just as we are doing with Lyriq.

“On a more personal level, I am beyond excited to be part of the team bringing Cadillac to Australia and New Zealand.”

Cadillac plans to use Australia and New Zealand as some of its key markets as it transitions to an EV-only company.

A dedicated ‘Experience Centre’ will be opened in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney, where customers can get up close and personal with the luxury brand and experience the new Lyriq first hand.

Kiwis who are keen on Lyriq can register their interest on Cadillac’s website here, ahead of its arrival in 2024.