Cadillac has lastly added the V badge to certainly one of its electrical fashions. The Lyriq-V transforms the model’s first electrical crossover with extra energy and extra torque, after which Cadillac’s engineers added greater brakes and stickier tires. However what concerning the automaker’s even higher-performance Blackwing designation? In response to the event engineer for the V, there are two massive issues stopping it. A kind of is you.
Lead growth engineer for the Lyriq-V, Alex Doss, let slip about the potential for a Lyriq-V Blackwing on the launch for the Lyriq-V. He defined to The Drive the distinction that got here with a Blackwing badge and what wanted to occur for that to be utilized to an EV.
V Means On-Street Enjoyable, However Blackwing Is A Totally different Beast
Blackwing fashions are supposed to be observe vehicles that may be day by day pushed. Automobiles just like the CT5-V Blackwing provide upgraded engines and transmissions and greater brakes, however additionally they include stiffer suspensions and different modifications that degrade the on-road expertise in favor of having the ability to spend a day turning laps.
V fashions, alternatively, are supposed to be a stability. Certain, you are able to do a number of laps, but it surely’s not going to adore it. The trade-off is healthier streetcar driving.
To make an EV right into a observe automotive, Doss mentioned, wants new tech: lighter batteries, particularly. A 6,000-pound SUV won’t be a observe monster even when it has sufficient torque to embarrass a diesel HD truck. Present battery designs additionally put out a ton of warmth when the automotive is being pushed flat-out. That is not good for the battery pack, and it might restrict lap counts as a lot because the cost degree.
It is doable that solid-state or different new battery chemistries might assist, however it would nonetheless be a problem. Automobiles just like the Porsche Taycan use state-of-the-art cooling programs to assist, however even they are often overwhelmed. The quickest Taycan fashions are additionally considerably dearer than a Lyriq-V.
No Demand Means No {Car}
The second factor on the listing is demand. There aren’t sufficient clients asking for the car to be made, and Cadillac cannot depend on Area of Goals optimism with regards to creating a brand new automotive. Doss advised The Drive that it wasn’t there at a “measurable scale,” and it wanted to be.
That is not stopping different automakers from constructing quick EVs. Tesla’s Mannequin S Plaid and the Lucid Air Sapphire, in addition to the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT, all provide nicely over 1,000 horsepower. At a lower cost level, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and 6 N are additionally high-performance EVs with observe intent. However the first three aren’t precisely promoting like hotcakes, and the Hyundais play to a a lot totally different market than Cadillac.
So, will there be a Lyriq-V Blackwing anytime quickly? It appears like even the Escalade might get the badge first, and that is not one which anybody expects to occur. When, or if, Cadillac builds and sells an electrical sedan or coupe that is not as large and opulent because the Celestiq, then a Blackwing mannequin may very well be much more prone to occur. Till then, in case you really need one, then ensure your seller is aware of and believes you.
Supply: The Drive