Cadillac’s Electric Car LYRIQ Will Officially be Called “Ruige”

“Rui” represents the concept of “forge ahead with determination,” while “Ge” conveys the idea of “aspiration through poetry.”

Perhaps it seems a bit strange, like if Apple were to suddenly skip iPhone14 and instead release iPhone Nuoculuh and Zhenhuan.

Cadillac hasn’t given their vehicles names with a fully-rounded and meaningful title for over twenty years. Since the turn of the millennium, all new models have been given cold, industrial-sounding letter/number combinations.

However, the Cadillac Catera of 1999 proved that lack of a clever name does not necessarily indicate a lack of talent. Catera has continued through five generations of vehicles, retaining its name to this day.

“Escalade” refers to a classic siege technique that involves using huge tower or rope ladders to breach fortifications.

At the end of the last century, the market for full-sized luxury SUVs was fiercely competitive, with the Range Rover, LX, and G-Wagon all jostling for dominance. However, Cadillac’s Catera broke through in just ten months, becoming the go-to choice for upscale ladies with affluence and once even the most frequently stolen car model in America – proving that all social barriers can be crossed with a flagship dream.

A name should contain its essence.

In 2020, Cadillac once again revitalized this traditional art, introducing LYRIQ.

This is not only a brand new name that marks the beginning of electrification, but also signals that Cadillac will soon deliver new products, experiences, and standards to the world. Naming is an art form that must be maintained at the highest level.

LYRIQ’s poetic name is not random; the “-iq” suffix will empower all subsequent electrified models, just as “Ultraman” enhances his capabilities on the platform. Strategically speaking, this represents a long-term plan, and each name will carry a sense of craftsmanship and carvings in its tactics.

As the first-ever Chinese name for Cadillac, “Ruige” is worth savoring.

Not only does it embody the true meaning of “lyrics,” but it is also the brand most often mentioned in lyrics. There are more than 3,000 songs about Cadillac, where the brand is hailed as a tribute to greatness, a longing for freedom, a symbol of affluence, an imaginative dream, or the seductive lady in pink, as sung by Bruce Springsteen.

These sentiments all embody Cadillac, and they are all inherited in the name “Ruige.”

Compared to hip-hop or electronic music, the “Lyriq” definitely sounds more like rock music, with loud and almost glorious electric guitar leads, standing at the forefront of everything without caring about whether it is popular or not.

On the same day when the name was revealed, Cadillac also announced the configurations of the three models of the Lyriq – the RWD Long Range Luxury Edition, the RWD Long Range Platinum Edition, and the AWD High Performance Platinum Edition. Inside the new electric shell, each model is more devoted to Cadillac’s eternal theme of how to make luxury more solemn and respectful.

In Cadillac’s worldview, luxury is only the superficial first step. The Lyriq opened for pre-orders in November last year, with the luxury edition as the first release and a pre-sale price of 4.397 million yuan, becoming the entry-level threshold for the three models available today.

Based on pre-order and consumption observations, the Lyriq has expanded upwards to two Platinum Editions, holding its position in the slightly blank market of electric SUVs priced at over 400,000 yuan.

The distinguishing feature of the “AWD High Performance Platinum Edition” is obviously the inclusion of front and rear dual permanent magnet synchronous motors, achieving a maximum power of 375kW, a maximum torque of 710N·m, and a shortened acceleration time of 4.9 seconds per hundred kilometers.

We are talking about a large and medium-sized SUV with a length of over 5 meters, a wheelbase nearly 3.1 meters, equipped with a 33-inch 9K TV, genuine leather sofa set, and all kinds of exquisite decorations, which costs less than 500,000 yuan and can run at a maximum speed of 210km/h on the road. This is an achievement that can make nature back in awe.

At the same time, it controls the power consumption within 16.9 degrees per hundred kilometers, achieves a CLTC cruising range of over 600km while keeping the battery capacity at 95.7 degrees, and supports fast charging throughout its lifespan, providing a high-quality and long-lasting experience.

The power configuration of the “RWD Long Range Platinum Edition” is consistent with the previous luxury edition, with a CLTC cruising range of 653km, a single-motor rear-drive system, a maximum power of 255kW, and a maximum torque of 440N·m.

After six months of overall vehicle performance optimization, the acceleration per hundred kilometers has improved to 6.35 seconds, compared to the parameters announced during pre-sale. The fastest speed in the world is making an iterative speed that even oneself can’t keep up with. As long as you are still making progress, others cannot write you off.

As for the “Platinum Edition” of both models, it is not only reflected in the further sublimation of details and configuration tables, but also in the self-consciousness of their own unpronounceable requirements.

For example, the interior seats are upgraded to high-end Nappa perforated leather, and warm colors such as warm brown and dark blue are optional. In terms of configuration, it also comes with three-zone air conditioning with a rear LCD display, as well as allergen filtering and air quality management functions. Additionally, it has electrically adjustable steering wheels and heated rear seats.

Cadillac has not yet revealed the exact prices of the two luxury models, but one thing is for sure: the luxury of Regal has no end until the final delivery, and people will buy its future appreciation at a price. This not only means that the product supports a lifetime free OTA. From Regal onwards, Cadillac is not just a product, but a combination of experience and services.

For example, the recently announced “Final Decision Benefits” show comprehensive consideration for various users, scenarios and needs throughout the chain.

This includes industry-standard operations such as 7KW home charging wall box delivery and 30-meter cable wire inclusion; it also includes compensatory measures for friends who do not have the conditions to install home chargers, who will receive an additional 8,000 km of free charging mileage, valid for three years.

However, you may not be able to consume it all because during these three years, there will be a monthly gift of 1,200 km of free charging mileage, equivalent to a round trip of 55 km per working day, with no charge for daily commuting as long as the charging network on the Cadillac IQ charging map is available nationwide.

In addition, some limited-time rights and benefits show Cadillac’s willingness to innovate in services and operations. For example, the launch of a dedicated APP allows users to earn points through buying cars, picking up cars, and referrals, and exchange for upscale gifts such as Montblanc card holders and Dyson hair dryers in the APP mall. Such generous gift offerings could not be more clear in positioning Cadillac as a luxury brand.

Moreover, there are various benefits such as six times of on-call charging services with pickup and six times of free driving services in a three-year period, as well as unlimited free road rescue services.

For Cadillac, the “limited-time” trial run has significant importance for trial and error and validation, and introducing a new model to an existing system means a high level of uncertainty and potential opportunity costs. Going all-in recklessly would not be a sign of determination, but rather foolishness. One needs to embrace openness and enthusiasm for changes in business models, while also keeping prudence and patience to work through the logic, in order to deserve one’s years and experiences in the industry.

Once the right direction is set, Cadillac’s actions are swift. For example, in terms of channels, they are rapidly expanding independent store locations. By the end of last year, the IQ Space had only 5 cities and 6 locations, but now there are 11 cities and 15 locations. Cadillac is also conducting a user vote on its App to determine the next opening city.

The car isn’t here yet, but everything is ready.

With the release of DaDing equity, the production and delivery of the Rege will be getting closer and closer.

In early May, the first Rege pre-production car has been produced at the Shanghai Jinqiao Cadillac factory. This indicates that Rege has entered the final debugging and verification process before mass production, the production line process will reach the mass production standard, the quality of the vehicle and parts will be stable, and the whole vehicle process will also be adjusted to the most optimal state. At the same time, the functionality of the pre-production Rege will continue to be validated, including localization adaptation of entertainment systems and driving assistance systems, as well as vehicle reliability.

At this point in time, every small step has come with great difficulty.

The pre-production car of the Rege is the result of Shanghai’s first batch of white-listed companies that quickly resumed production, the first car model to be produced by a factory implementing closed production management, and a new hope brought by the Cadillac brand and every Cadillac person overcoming enormous real difficulties.

Its birth was so fearless, perhaps indicative of its future, and it will also be unbeatable.

This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.