The Cadillac Optiq Heads To Europe With A Smaller Battery And Slower DC Charging

• The Cadillac Optiq electrical crossover will cross over the pond subsequent yr.
• Caddy’s most inexpensive EV is heading to Europe, the place it would be a part of the Lyriq and Vistiq.
• It will get a smaller battery and slower DC charging, however comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Cadillac Optiqthe American luxurious automaker’s most inexpensive electrical automobile, is now on sale in a handful of European international locations, with the primary deliveries anticipated in February 2026.

In comparison with the American model, the Euro-spec Optiq might be fitted with completely different tires, suspension parts and Brembo brakes, which had been tuned to deal with European highway situations and house owners’ expectations.

Photograph by: Cadillac

It additionally will get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, which isn’t obtainable on the U.S.-spec Optiq. Stateside, Cadillac argued that together with the 2 smartphone mirroring methods on its EVs may have an effect on the automobiles’ security methods, however the argument doesn’t actually maintain water, understanding that European and Australian fashions include the options out of the field.

Within the U.S., the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV are the one EVs in Basic Motors’ portfolio that get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however clearly, extra fashions may have the performance. An aftermarket mod that enabled cellphone mirroring was briefly obtainable, but it surely was killed off earlier than it may attain a big viewers.

Photograph by: Cadillac

Getting again to the European-specification Cadillac Optiqprospects in France, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland can now order it. Two trim ranges are provided, Premium Luxurious and Premium Sport, each with a beginning worth of €65,000 ($76,000).

Weirdly, the one battery choice is a 75-kilowatt-hour pack that permits a WLTP-rated driving vary of 264 miles (425 kilometers). In different phrases, European Optiq prospects will get 10 kWh much less capability in comparison with the U.S.-spec mannequin, which comes customary with an 85 kWh pack that permits an EPA-rated 280 miles (450 km) of vary for a similar trim degree.

However that’s not all. The Euro-spec dual-motor Optiq places down 304 horsepower and 354 pound-feet (480 Newton-meters) of torque, whereas a comparable U.S. mannequin will get 440 hp and 498 lb-ft (675 Nm) of torque. By the appears to be like of it, the European Optiq will get the identical motors as the pre-refresh U.S. model.

What’s extra, the utmost DC quick charging energy is 110 kW, which is something however spectacular in as we speak’s EV house, but it surely’s additionally 40 kW decrease than the U.S.-spec mannequin, which maxes out at 150 kW. (Nonetheless not nice, however definitely higher.)

Photograph by: Cadillac

Based on Cadillac, the European model of the Optiq can add as much as 89 miles (144 km) of vary in quarter-hour. AC charging tops up at 22 kW by a Sort 2 connector, which is addmitedly quicker than the 19.2 kW of the American mannequin, whereas DC quick charging is completed by way of a CCS2 connector, versus the NACS port of the U.S. model.

Inside, the Euro-spec Optiq will get a 33-inch diagonal LED show and a premium AKG Studio sound system with 19 audio system and Dolby Atmos. GM’s Tremendous Cruise driver help system can also be inbuilt, however can’t be utilized in Europe but. That mentioned, traffic-aware cruise management and lane centering can be utilized.

The primary 50 items ordered in Europe will bear the Launch Version moniker. These automobiles might be painted in a dual-color scheme, fitted with 21-inch black alloy wheels, and provided with two units of tires–one for the summer season and one for the winter.

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Supply: Cadillac

Within the U.S., the 2026 Optiq Premium Sport AWD will get extra energy, extra torque and a bigger battery, all whereas costing roughly $18,000 much less. In Europe, the Optiq is up towards the Audi Q6 E-Tron, which has the same beginning worth however comes with a bigger battery, extra vary and greater than double the utmost DC charging energy–270 kW.

At first look, it appears to be like like all the chances are towards the Optiq in Europe, however the electrical crossover does have one thing that none of its rivals have: that unmistakable Cadillac look, each inside and outside. Who is aware of, possibly that might be sufficient to persuade European consumers.