CADILLAC OPTIQ GETS MORE POWER & RWD FOR 2026, DEATH OF EV INCENTIVE APPROACHES

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The Cadillac Optiq is set to receive significant upgrades for the 2026 model year, including more powerful motors and a new rear-wheel-drive trim. The base RWD model will offer 315 horsepower, surpassing the current AWD version's 300 horsepower. The dual-motor AWD variant will jump to 440 horsepower, and a new Optiq V performance version will deliver a substantial 519 horsepower. Despite these power increases, the 85 kWh battery pack remains, with estimated EPA ranges of around 300 miles for the RWD and 280 miles for the dual-motor. Notably, the starting MSRP for the RWD model will be $50,000, a $2,000 reduction from the current base trim. This rapid update, occurring so soon after the Optiq's initial launch, is unusual and mirrors a trend seen in the Chinese market, potentially impacting residual values for early adopters.