Small Cadillac EV hopes to make a big impression

The OPTIQ is the vehicle that Cadillac needs if it’s to become a real player in the electric vehicle field. WWJ's Jeff Gilbert reports.

Transcript

00:00This is the vehicle Cadillac needs to really tap into the EV market.

00:06The Cadillac Optic, a compact electric SUV.

00:10Now that's the heart of the luxury market.

00:12It's the heart of the EV market.

00:14It's the heart of the overall market.

00:16So this is what they call a gateway vehicle.

00:19Affordability is still on a lot of people's mind. It's important.

00:22And bringing an execution like Optic at around $55,000,

00:26we know is going to be incredibly important.

00:28And it's going to get us on some radar screens of some customers

00:30that we haven't necessarily been on.

00:32We were looking at a younger, typically younger, you know,

00:35older millennial, 29 to 49-year-old that really values technology,

00:40that really values exceptional audio, exceptional driving experience.

00:44We have had a blast driving the Optic through a number of windy roads here

00:49just north of San Francisco.

00:51The vehicle is handled quite well.

00:53And in some cases, when you've got one pedal driving on,

00:57you don't even have to tap the brake.

00:59Cadillac taking us to San Francisco,

01:02where we headed north over the Golden Gate Bridge,

01:05hands-free, thanks to Super Cruise.

01:07For the record, I'm shooting video of my drive partner here.

01:10Then we went into switchback country,

01:13where we saw how that low center of gravity

01:15made the driving better than your average SUV.

01:19San Francisco was also chosen because it's the home of Dolby Audio

01:24and their new Atmos system, which is more than surround sound,

01:28as we get a demonstration of how you can remix a classic tune

01:32to make it sound extra special inside a vehicle.

01:36If I could be successful at one thing tonight,

01:38it would be demonstrating to you that a Dolby Atmos mix experience

01:42is a meticulously curated creative expression.

01:46300 horsepower, 320 miles of range, standard safety features,

01:50and standard Super Cruise make the Optic a very nice package for any vehicle

01:56and a pretty compelling choice for those who are considering an EV.

02:00I'm MotorBeat reporter Jeff Gilbert.