By James Ochoa Autoblog
Cadillac's sporty roots are in its DNA
If there is one characteristic that most luxury automakers on the market have in common, it is that nearly all of them have some sort of high-performance vehicle division that produces a line of sportier and race-bred versions of their "regular" cars.
Audi Sport makes the S and RS cars, BMW has its M division, and Mercedes-Benz has its own high-performance subsidiary in AMG. Even the Asian luxury competition is in on the fun. Lexus has the F and F-Sport line of cars, while Hyundai's Genesis is yet to release vehicles under its high-performance Magma division.
On the other hand, Cadillac has the V-series, a line of high-performance road cars previously defined by their race experience, brash styling, and powerful V8 engines. However, as Cadillac evolves to adopt more 21st-century technology, including full-on electrification, the V-Series line is expanding to fully embrace electric power and its capabilities.
Cadillac's electric push is targeting multiple price points and segments
Cadillac is currently revamping its lineup to include a diverse selection of posh electric vehicles. Recently, the compact OPTIQ hit dealers as its brand's smallest and lowest-cost electric option, aside from the LYRIQ crossover and the big Escalade IQ SUV.
The $54,390 QPTIQ is one of a few EVs due out from Cadillac this year, which also includes the VISTIQ, an XT6-sized three-row SUV, and the CELESTIQ, a bespoke, handmade ultra-luxury sedan with a price tag of over $300,000.
However, along that same timeline is the next generation of V-series vehicles, which includes a V-series version of the LYRIQ crossover called the LYRIQ-V for the 2026 model year. This special high-performance EV gets a sizable 100 horsepower bump over the standard model, making a total of 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque to the wheels.
Apart from the power upgrades, the LYRIQ-V gets special and distinct aerodynamic upgrades that add some sporty flair against its flashy counterparts. It also gets some performance parts to keep the power on the ground, including big Brembo brakes, 22-inch wheels, and various electronic aids, including launch control.
Cadillac teases another V-Series EV: the OPTIQ-V
In a new announcement, Cadillac teased that it is developing yet another V-Series model to join the LYRIQ-V, a V-Series version of the compact OPTIQ, which will be called the OPTIQ-V. Cadillac has released a few details about the upcoming model, but it has said in a brief statement that it will be a unique, lively addition to the V-Series portfolio.
"Cadillac has confirmed the OPTIQ has earned the V-Series badge," it said. "The 2026 OPTIQ-V will be the fifth Cadillac in the V-Series portfolio, elevating the brand's performance offering. Building on OPTIQ's agile drive, Cadillac engineers delivered a unique package prioritizing precision, a dynamic suspension, and tight steering for an exhilarating driving experience!"
Cadillac has released no details regarding power figures or a launch timeline. Still, we can assume that the OPTIQ-V will have a significant power bump over the 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque pumped out of the standard model and some cosmetic and handling upgrades to help keep the power on the ground.
From the dimly lit and mysterious pictures that Cadillac has released, we see that the OPTIQ-V has some semblance of enhanced boy-racer-style cosmetic aerodynamic upgrades, like a rear lip spoiler and what appears to be a front bumper with a splitter.
Final thoughts
Most of the Cadillac OPTIQ-V's details remain under wraps, including how much it will cost, how much power it will make, and what most of the rest of the car looks like. All we can do at the moment is make educated guesses.
However, I can say that vehicles like the OPTIQ-V and the rest of Cadillac's electric campaign are helping the brand shed much of the former "old timers' club" image associated with it. We have to wait and see if the OPTIQ-V is a formidable rival against other compact performance EVs like the Hyundai IONIQ 5N, but as it stands now, the initial impression we get starts off on the right foot.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
