Cadillac Spices Up the Optiq with 519 Horsepower V Treatment

Cadillac today shared details on the second electric vehicle (EV) that will sport its high-performance V badge, the 2026 Optiq-V. Extra power, new driving modes, and big brakes will help it excite drivers, while a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port will help it charge as fast as it accelerates.

And it will accelerate quickly. Cadillac estimates that the 519 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque that the twin electric motors combine to make will help the crossover reach 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds — that’s exactly as quick as a Porsche 911 Carrera S.

That speedy launch is enabled by the Optiq-V’s launch control. A part of the V-Mode and Competitive Mode, these technologies work together to tune the traction management software and help the crossover handle better. According to Alex Doss, the lead development engineer for the Optiq-V who spoke to media ahead of the model’s official unveiling, the Competitive Mode isn’t designed to help the EV set record-breaking lap times, but is instead intended to raise the hairs on the back of a driver’s neck in more normal driving scenarios.

Doss referred to the Optiq-V as a “canyon carver,” a reference to vehicles designed to be enjoyed on the curving public roads built up mountains, down valleys, and into canyons. Famous examples are the Angeles Crest Highway near Los Angeles, California, or the Tail of the Dragon, in North Carolina. Incidentally, that’s exactly where the Optiq-V was developed, and what led to improvements like the powerful Brembo brakes that will consistently slow the EV down even as drivers descend into a valley.

To further improve its handling (not to mention its range), the EV was equipped with the battery pack from the larger Lyriq, but with a few cell modules left out. The deletion of those modules made the pack shorter, allowing it to fit within the Optiq’s wheelbase while also widening it as compared to the standard crossover. That, Doss says, helps the EV feel more stable in high-speed cornering while also offering drivers 85 kWh of battery capacity, to help them go 443 km per charge, according Cadillac’s own estimates.

When that battery capacity is depleted, drivers will be able to recharge at one of Tesla’s Supercharger locations because the Optiq-V is the first Cadillac vehicle equipped with a built-in, Tesla-style NACS port.

The new port isn't the only external difference as compared to the standar Optiq. The high-performance EV also comes with blue accents throughout, including the brake calipers (which can also be finished in red if you prefer), the rear quarter panel window, and around the cabin. It also gets a V-pattern grille, a high gloss black front splitter, rocker extensions, and body-colour lower trim to help make the EV look like its closer to the ground. For those who want a really racy look, a carbon fibre package will also be available that adds a carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser, and rear mid-spoiler.

The Optiq-V will also get 21-inch alloy wheels finished in a satin graphite colour as well as standard summer tires — all seasons are also available. The model will be available in two new special, limited edition exterior paint colours: Magnus Metal Frost and Deep Ocean Tintcoat.

Inside, buyers will be able to pick one of two colourways: Noir with Santorini Blue accents or Noir with Sky Cool Gray and Santorini Blue accents. The option to finish the seatback and belts in Santorini Blue is also available.

The model will also be equipped with a standard 19-speaker sound system, Google Built-in infotainment, and a three-year Super Cruise subscription. In addition, the Optiq-V has a suite of active safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot steering assist, automatic parking, forward collision alert, and more.

Unfortunately, Canadian pricing has not yet been revealed, but American buyers will pay $68,795 USD for the Optiq-V. That’s around 30 per cent more than the standard Optiq, which starts at $52,895 USD south of the border and $63,433 CAD north of it.

Production of the 2026 Cadillac Optiq-V will begin later this year, and the model will be sold in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Middle East.