Cadillac unveiled the 2026 Lyriq-V earlier this year, and now they’re following up with the first glimpse of the Optiq-V. It will arrive later this year and become an important member of their performance lineup.

The luxury brand is keeping a tight lid on details about its second V-Series EV. Cadillac only mentioned that “engineers delivered a unique package prioritizing precision, a dynamic suspension, and tight steering for an exhilarating driving experience!”

More: Cadillac Optiq-V To Take Aim At Tesla Model Y Performance

Besides vague promises, Cadillac released a couple of teaser images that preview the upcoming crossover. Styling changes are hard to decipher, but we can see a unique diamond mesh pattern as well as V-Series badging. They’re joined by a familiar rear end with a mid-mounted carbon fiber spoiler.

Previous spy photos have been a tad more revealing as they suggest the model will have unique bumpers and a subtle front lip. They were joined by 21-inch wheels, which were backed up by a beefier braking system.

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While the standard Optiq has a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with 300 hp (224 kW / 304 PS) and 354 lb-ft (479 Nm) of torque, the Optiq-V will be far more powerful, and Cadillac stopped short of talking numbers.

The Optiq-V could have the same output as the all-wheel drive Lyriq, meaning 515 hp (384 kW / 522 PS) and 450 lb-ft (609 Nm) of torque. That would be a healthy increase of 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS) and 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).

EV sales are on the up across several key markets, with China leading the charge with a 76 jump in February 2025, followed by Europe with a 29 percent rise. Even with a potential shift in US policy under the leadership of President Donald Trump, North America too has recorded significant growth – 20 percent up year-to-date.

While the rate of adoption may not have quite hit the lofty targets some manufacturers had, Cadillac is ready for a drastic shift towards electric cars. By the end of 2025, Cadillac will offer at least five EVs, including the Lyriq, the Escalade IQ and IQL, and the Optiq crossover. Soon, the three-row Vistiq will join the party, along with the ultra-luxury $300,000+ Celestiq.

Read: 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL Is Long, Really Long

The new models are the backbone of Cadillac’s predictions that EVs will account for 30–35 percent of U.S. sales in 2025, a significant jump from the 18 percent they represented last year. “The momentum is really there,” said Brad Franz, Cadillac’s director of marketing, in an interview with CNBC. “We’re going to ride that momentum and we’re not launching the vehicles to redistribute the business among [internal combustion engines] and EV portfolio. It’s to grow the business.”

Scaling Back The EV Dream

Of course, Cadillac’s latest strategy is vastly different from what it had proposed a few years ago. Despite EV sales growing year by year, the rate by which they increase hasn’t quite met expectations. In response, Cadillac has walked back its initial plans to become an all-electric car manufacturer by 2030.

The party line is that the brand will let consumer demand dictate when combustion cars disappear from its lineup. Reading between the lines, parent company General Motors is also looking to hedge its bets with a new administration that campaigned heavily against federal support for EVs.

Crucially though, it isn’t stopping Cadillac from offering a full range of EVs. Its overall US sales grew by 8.8% in 2024, with Lyriq sales more than tripling since its late 2022 debut, so it seems there’s potential there. As the brand balances EV expansion with continued gas-powered offerings, its commitment remains clear: providing customers with choice in the evolving luxury vehicle landscape.