Cadillac has unveiled its first fully electric SUV, the Lyriq With an entirely new architecture and a new Cadillac brand, the Lyriq is an important vehicle for General Motors and a departure from previous Cadillacs, both inside and out

Here is everything you need to know about one of the most exciting electric vehicles, from when you can order the Lyriq to what kind of range, performance, and self-driving features it offers

The Lyriq won't go on sale until 2022, and Cadillac has been tight-lipped about pricing, saying only that it will start at under $75,000

The ambiguity about cost is not surprising, given that there is a lot of time left before the first examples start reaching customers Nevertheless, according to Cadillac, the vehicles in the images shown here represent 80% to 85% of the final production model's appearance

Cadillac claims a range of 300 miles for the Lyric, which is comparable to the performance version of the Tesla Model X, but about 50 miles short of the long range plus configuration of Tesla's large crossover

The core of this long-range power comes from GM's new Ultium battery architecture, which is based on using a minimum number of high-capacity battery cells Cadillac claims that this approach keeps costs relatively low It is also modular and will likely influence the rest of GM's EV offerings in a variety of body styles

The Ultium battery system is also said to be an integral part of the Lyric's construction, which should help with the vehicle's rigidity and thus overall performance This helps the Lyric achieve a perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution, keeping the center of gravity low for better cornering Both an all-wheel drive version with dual motors and a rear-wheel drive version will be available

The Lyriq supports both Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging of up to 19 kW for home charging and public DC fast charging of up to 150 kW GM has partnered with EVgo to provide Lyriq owners with a nationwide charging network, and EVgo is DC fast charging support

The Cadillac Lyriq is an attractive two-row SUV from a distance, but it is not particularly unique looking among Cadillac's large, angular vehicles Only when one approaches the Lyric does one realize that this is no ordinary Cadillac

The grille, lights, and emblems are adorned with LEDs, which light up as you walk toward the car, telling you of the Lyric's futuristic focus It also features huge taillights that extend two feet from the C-pillar The Lyric wears large 22-inch wheels, and its long and wide stance makes it look particularly imposing

In the interior, the Lyric's dash is dominated by a huge 33-inch display that extends all the way across the center from where the driver's instrument cluster normally sits The steering wheel is not made up of buttons; the controls are illuminated by LEDs on a piano black surface, and the scroll wheel and knobs are knurled to create a moderately upscale aesthetic

One of the Lyric's most interesting and distinctive interior details is the "jewel box"-like storage tray under the center stack; in GM's public video, a smartphone was placed in the tray, perhaps indicating that this space is for wirelessly charging devices Perhaps this space indicates that it is possible to charge devices wirelessly

The Lyric will feature Cadillac's "Super Cruise" autonomous driving technology, which is already available on Cadillac's latest models, including the 2021 Escalade Super Cruise is currently classified as a "Level 2" system, meaning that the driver must still pay attention to what is happening on the road ahead, but may take his or her hands off the wheel when conditions permit

By the time Lyriq arrives in showrooms, however, Super Cruise could graduate to Level 3 autonomy; Lyriq will have the technology to change lanes automatically and will also be able to park remotely

Lyriq's heads-up display uses augmented reality and benefits from information provided by the car's driver assistance sensors So, for example, when changing lanes, the heads-up display could show an arrow on the road from your perspective, indicating the action you are about to take before the vehicle begins its path

As for interior sound, Lyriq will feature a 19-speaker system co-designed with AKG

The Lyriq has a long road to production, so it could be some time before Cadillac reveals pricing, hard performance numbers, more detailed options, and other information

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the Lyriq is a car that we, and perhaps the rest of the world, will be watching closely It represents where the automotive industry is headed, not just in electrification, but in interior technology, self-driving, design, etc We will continue to update this hub as news about the Lyriq becomes available, so watch this space