The famous Cadillac brand returns to Cadillac to unveil its new electric model

«Oh, Cadillac! It took a young man to come there to find Detroit… Carried by 19 speakers, the powerful voice of Johnny Hallyday tells the true story of Antoine Lamothe-Cadillac. The music sounds like it’s in the studio. Unless we’re in a car, and not just any car. The brand new Lyriq Cadillac SUV that the famous American brand is preparing to sell in France.

In memory of history and legend, it is from the town of Cadillac, in the Gironde, that the 100% electric luxury car will be revealed to the eyes of the French public this Saturday March 23 …

«Oh, Cadillac! It took a young man to come there to find Detroit… Carried by 19 speakers, the powerful voice of Johnny Hallyday tells the true story of Antoine Lamothe-Cadillac. The music sounds like you’re in the studio. Unless we’re in a car, and not just any car. The brand new Lyriq Cadillac SUV that the famous American brand is preparing to sell in France.

In memory of history and legend, it is from the town of Cadillac, in the Gironde, that a 100% electric luxury car will be revealed to the eyes of the French public this Saturday March 23, market day, in the square in front of the Château du Duc d’ Epernon.

“We are a little like cousins ​​from America. We come back often to see the family,” smiles Ludovic Basset, head of European affairs at General Motors (GM). The last time was in 1953. Models of good American cars at that time were called Fleetwood or Eldorado. generous, America’s powerful “cousins”. he was the chief custodian of the restoration work on the two Cadillac mansions. Testimony to the links that connect the brand to the medieval city on the banks of the Garonne.

Gascon founder of Detroit

To understand this story, we can listen to the lyrics of the song “Cadillac” by Johnny. Or go back to the early 18th century^ecentury. Gascon from Tarn-et-Garonne, Antoine Laumet, tries his luck in America. A half-soldier, half-soldier, he invented an aristocratic lineage by borrowing the title of the Baron of Toulouse, then Lord of Cadillac. Laumet becomes Lamothe-Cadillac.

That’s a story. Still, in 1702, he founded Fort Detroit for the French crown. Two centuries later, the fort became Michigan’s largest industrial city. In 1902, Detroit’s bicentennial celebrations celebrated the founding father’s name with great pomp. At the same time, a famous car brand was born in the city. The Cadillac name is obvious.

With the presentation of the Lyriq on the banks of the Garonne, the car brand not only connects with its history, it also re-opens itself to the European market. Since the sale of Opel in 2007, General Motors had left the Old Continent. Meanwhile, Cadillac, the flagship of the group, has made its own energy revolution. “Cadillac is the first car manufacturer to switch from all fuel to all electricity,” emphasizes Ludovic Basset.

An immersive experience

After Sweden and Switzerland, France is the third European country to discover the new jewel lines on wheels. The “crossover SUV” that develops 530 horse power is clearly placed in a very high segment. French customers who want to pre-order the Lyriq will have to pay 81,200 euros, all options. “It is a family car, made for long trips. The batteries have a range of 550 km. At Paris-Bordeaux, you only need to top up within twenty minutes thanks to its main charger,” explains Ludovic Basset.

“Driving a Lyriq means living an immersive experience,” praises Bouaiache Chahine. The French manager of General Motors shows off an impressive 70-centimeter LED screen. Metal adjustment buttons with a rear design are reminiscent of 1950s designs, as is the elegant steering wheel lever to engage forward or reverse gear.

If the exterior line created by the French artist Magalie Debellis is modest compared to the interesting ideas derived from the story of Cadillac, the car is compelling. Inside, once the doors are closed, you enter another world. A world of luxury and technology where it’s good to listen to Johnny while cruising the mountain roads of Cadillac.

Gift for Cadillac

The automaker did not come empty handed to Cadillac. In order to “strengthen the relationship”, the brand offered the City a station with six electric car charging stations with free access to all users. The facility operates with green hydrogen, produced in the Southwest and solar or photovoltaic energy. “We want to show that this is the future, and that our history with Cadillac is also placed under the symbol of the future,” says Ludovic Basset. Six charging stations and a hydrogen unit are installed for one year in the parking lot of the public park. Another gift from the Americans, once again they will put their hand in their pocket to finance the illumination of the facades of the Château du Duc d’Épernon.