The 2026 OPTIQ-V Is a Vision of High-Performance Design

The all-new 2026 OPTIQ-V provides drivers with a smaller alternative to the midsize LYRIQ-V, with its compact design and a lower price tag. While some drivers might not think that a crossover SUV—especially an electric one—could possibly live up to the high bar set by the last twenty years of V-Series models, the 2026 OPTIQ-V is here to set the record straight. The newcomer will not only help expand the current V-Series selection to seven models, but it will also go a long way toward solidifying Cadillac’s reputation in the rarefied high-performance luxury segment. 

The OPTIQ-V is the clear highlight of any visit to LaFontaine Cadillac, your local Cadillac dealer near Ann Arbor, but what can you expect from the new all-electric V-Series model? Join us as we review some of the highlights of the new OPTIQ-V, explore the history of the V-Series, and learn how Cadillac has managed to seamlessly combine luxury and performance in a new EV for the modern era.   

A History of the V-Series 

A high-performance division is a staple of every luxury brand, allowing engineers to combine premium features and materials with the sort of potent powertrains that can really help to get your blood pumping when you’re behind the wheel. Cadillac entered the fray in the early 2000s with the V-Series, which was named after the V-shaped ornament located just below the brand’s crowned wreath logo on post-WWII-era models. 

Equipped with high-performance V8 engines, restyled exteriors, upgraded transmission, and Cadillac’s sophisticated MagneRide Control suspension system, the V-Series models took everything there is to love about Cadillac’s classic approach to luxury design and upped the ante with some of the latest and greatest in automotive technology. 

The 2004 CTS was the first Cadillac model to receive the V-Series treatment, and it would set the stage for two decades of high-performance engineering. The midsize sedan rode on the same GM Sigma Platform as the regular CTS, but it saw a major upgrade under the hood, with Cadillac swapping out the regular engine for a 5.7-liter V8 lifted from the Chevy Corvette Z06. Producing 400 hp and 393 lb-ft of torque, the Corvette-powered Cadillac quickly made a name for itself as one of the leading models in the high-performance luxury market. 

A six-speed manual transmission, Brembo four-piston brakes, and a performance-tuned suspension gave the CTS-V all the high-end components it needed to make the most of its V8 engine and provide plenty of fun behind the wheel. The second-generation CTS-V quickly earned a name for itself in 2009, setting a new lap record for a production sedan with factory tires on Germany’s famous Nürburgring Nordschleife track.     

The V-Series lineup has since grown to include the Escalade-V, CT4-V, CT5-V, CT4-V Blackwing, and CT5-V Blackwing. Cadillac will now bring the V-Series approach to bear on the EV segment with the debut of the LYRIQ-V and OPTIQ-V for the 2026 model year. The midsize LYRIQ-V SUV is equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup that allows it to produce some 615 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. With a zero-to-sixty time of just 3.3 seconds, the LYRIQ-V is easily the quickest model to ever roll out of the Cadillac factory. Following close behind is the 2026 OPTIQ-V.

Performance and Range 

Today’s EVs challenge some long-held notions about high-performance vehicles. While an internal combustion vehicle typically employs a larger turbocharged engine to max out the horsepower, an EV’s performance is typically determined, in part, by the potency of its electric motors. Take the OPTIQ-V, for example. The souped-up SUV has the same 85.0-kWh battery dual-motor AWD setup as the original model, but a more powerful set of motors allows the V-Series model to produce 519 hp to the 2025 OPTIQ’s 300 hp. 

The OPTIQ-V’s performance-focused software also plays a role, allowing Cadillac to leave the competition in the dust by simply changing a few lines of code. The result is a luxury vehicle that can speed from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds—almost a full two seconds faster than the original OPTIQ. Throw in 650 lb-ft of torque, and it’s easy to see why Cadillac’s newest EV has generated so much buzz among Ann Arbor drivers. 

The OPTIQ-V’s rubber-burning performance stats do come at the cost of range, but the gulf between the high-performance model and the regular OPTIQ isn’t as wide as you might think. Despite offering 73% more power, the OPTIQ-V only trails its predecessor by a scant 25 miles in terms of range. Its 275-mile range should be more than adequate for most drivers, but if you do find yourself needing a little recharge halfway through the day, you won’t be waiting around for long. 

Cadillac has treated the OPTIQ to a major upgrade for 2026, replacing the previous CSS connector with a new North American Charging Standard (NACS) port that allows this EV to take advantage of Tesla’s fleet of public Superchargers. The OPTIQ-V will be able to add 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes when attached to a Supercharger’s DC Fast-Charging connection, which makes the SUV a more practical choice for those who want to enjoy all the benefits of the EV lifestyle without any of the hassle. 

The Incredible V-Mode

In order to achieve the OPTIQ-V’s blistering zero-to-sixty time, drivers will have to activate the SUV’s V-Mode. Many of today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs are offered with such software settings that allow owners to create a bespoke driving experience or unlock a vehicle’s true performance potential, and V-Mode is no exception. This system can be used to adjust the OPTIQ-V’s acceleration, steering, braking, suspension, and even the simulated engine sound, but that’s just a small part of the appeal. V-Mode also gives you access to two distinct performance modes: Competitive Mode and Velocity Max.

The OPTIQ-V might be a heavy favorite in a flat-out sprint, but the EV can also handle the twistiest roads thanks to V-Mode’s Competitive Mode setting. By adjusting the SUV’s traction management system and brake-based torque vectoring, Competitive Mode enhances the OPTIQ-V’s cornering ability while limiting the amount of understeer you’ll experience when you’re behind the wheel. The result is a dynamic, responsive ride that’ll have you looking forward to every curve—but if you really want to push this Cadillac to its limits, Velocity Max has you covered. 

As the name implies, Velocity Max delivers the best possible acceleration by pumping the EV’s electric motors with a little extra current, simply by pressing the steering wheel-mounted “V” button. The resulting boost can rocket the OPTIQ-V to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds as you cruise down I-94 through Ann Arbor, providing the sort of hair-raising experience that few automobiles can match.

Technology and Style

The OPTIQ-V’s performance credentials might garner most of the attention, and rightly so, but the well-rounded SUV backs up its potent powertrain with a long list of cutting-edge tech and eye-catching style that drivers have come to expect from Cadillac. 

The OPTIQ-V’s dashboard is dominated by a 33-inch LED display that serves as both an infotainment screen and digital gauge cluster. The EV’s Google-based operating system leverages the power of the tech giant to give drivers access to a wide range of apps and features, from Google Maps and the Google Play Store to a Google Assistant that can be used to adjust settings, send texts, and more. 

The OPTIQ-V rounds out its standard tech arsenal with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker AKG stereo system with Dolby Atmos, but it’s the inclusion of GM’s impressive Super Cruise hands-free driving tool that really seals the deal. This advanced tool often ranks as the industry’s best, earning a solid 75/100 in a study performed by Consumer Reports. It was praised for its performance, capabilities, driver engagement, and clarity, besting hands-free systems from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus by as many as ten points. 

Super Cruise is currently compatible with over 400,000 miles of highway roads across the US and Canada, with more miles being added every month. While Ann Arbor drivers might not want to miss out on the opportunity to pilot the high-performance machine that is the OPTIQ-V, Super Cruise could significantly up the convenience factor for those looking to ease their daily commute or provide a little relief on an extended road trip.  

The OPTIQ-V also gains a few exterior styling enhancements that help to differentiate it from the original model. An exclusive front fascia features a V-pattern mesh grille that alludes to the EV’s high-performance heritage, while a high-gloss black front splitter and body-color lower trimming create a cohesive aesthetic from bumper to bumper. A set of available royal-blue brake calipers lends the OPTIQ-V a sporty look, as does the optional carbon fiber package with its front splitter, rear diffuser, and rear mid-spoiler. 

Cadillac has clearly marked the OPTIQ-V as a performance model, affixing V-Series badges to the rear doors, 21-inch satin graphite alloy wheels, liftgate, and driver-side grillette. A panoramic fixed glass roof gives the cabin a bright, airy feel while limited-edition Magnus Metal Frost and Deep Ocean Tintcoat exterior colors provide the EV with a few unique hues to choose from. 

Find Your OPTIQ-V With Us

The 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ-V is the perfect choice for any Ann Arbor driver looking to experience a seamless combination of luxury and performance. The EV’s 519-hp dual-motor powertrain opens the door to a world of automotive antics while also providing a smooth, refined ride that’s sure to elevate your daily driving experience. The various V-Mode settings give drivers the opportunity to unleash the EV’s full power or change dynamics as the road dictates, and the massive 33-inch dashboard display immediately pegs the OPTIQ-V as a true luxury model. 

This SUV’s eye-catching style speaks for itself, effortlessly combining that classic, understated Cadillac aesthetic with some modern touches that look to the future while honoring the past. If you’re in Ann Arbor and are ready to experience life behind the wheel of one of Cadillac’s V-Series models, LaFontaine Cadillac should be your first stop. We’re eager to share our favorite aspects of Cadillac’s high-performance lineup and show you how an EV like the 2026 OPTIQ-V can quickly become your new favorite ride.

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