by Brian Byrne.
I’ve only driven one Cadillac before, and arguably that one wasn’t even a true example of the American premium car brand established 124 years ago. It was the BLS compact sedan and wagon launched in 2006 and which only lasted three years. The BLS was actually a fluffed-up and rebadged Saab 9-3, and sold only in non-US markets, mostly Europe. At the time, Saab was owned by the General Motors parent company of Cadillac which had visions of bringing the brand global. It didn’t work, and then the Saab car brand itself, after some roller-coaster decades of changing ownership and fortunes that ended in bankruptcy, became defunct in 2016.
Cadillac has been selling electric vehicles in Europe since 2024, with the Lyriq SUV being available in Switzerland, France, Sweden, and Germany. The car has been on sale in Ireland this year, but in the absence of a dedicated Dublin showroom (it is currently sold from Audi’s Sandyford dealership), has so far seen limited sales. Against that last, it was America’s best-selling luxury mid-sized electric SUV in 2024, and in the same year won the German Car of the Year 2025 luxury car category.
It’s a handsome beast in all of its five metres and certainly made an impressive impact when parked outside my home. The unfamiliar-to-us Cadillac crest badge is quite discreet on the subtly textured space that would have been a grille in a combustion-engined car. The very steep-angled rear window gives a semi-coupe and quite sporty look, though at the expense of rear visibility from inside. The overall design is well done, offering an elegance that befits the tradition of the brand. It is no rebadging of any other GM model — the company says every component in the car is new for the Lyriq.
Inside, there’s a big dashboard feel, thanks to the cab-forward windscreen design. There’s more silvered detail than we’re used to, but it has been tastefully done. A curved 33-inch display module incorporates a truly impressive navigation-infotainment space with the driving information element that is bright, clear, and with the unambiguous labels as demanded by American motorists. No messing with screen-switches either for the climate control, all managed by easy-to-see physical switches high on the centre stack. A roller volume control and the twist-knob transmission selector are on a wide centre console with a pair of US-mug-sized cupholders.
As would be expected, interior materials are high end, with the seats luxurious in cut and leather-type finish with nice stitch-work. Rear passengers are best served as a single or a pair, with the centre occasional seat back folding down to give them plenty of space apiece. The 588 litres of boot space is expandable to 1,700 litres with rear seats folded. It’s fully carpeted, so if muddy boots and gear are usual, maybe invest in a plastic or rubber protector.
The Lyriq is sold here only with an all-wheel drive powertrain rated at 528hp and offering a 0-100km/h of 5.3 seconds, if that’s your thing. I preferred a rather more leisurely acceleration in what proved to be an exceptionally soundproofed car that provided the serene experience I’d want if spending just under six figures on my car (for the record, I don’t possess six figures to spend on anything).
There was a time when American-built cars offered glitzy styles and bling but very poor finish quality when compared to their equivalents in Europe. Even amongst premium brands. Ride used to also compromise handling to an over-soft preference across the pond. Neither of those matters is any more the case. Lyriq is well able to contend with anything at the high end of European manufacture, if Cadillac could find a way of getting the message across to buyers. And price it more competitively.
PRICE: From €95,109. WHAT I LIKED: Being more impressed than I expected to be.
OPEL ELECTRIFIES MONDELLO EARLY-DRIVE PROGRAMME
Mondello Park race track and Opel Ireland have renewed their partnership for the track’s Early-Drive programme, which has been educating young drivers for over 25 years, writes Brian Byrne. The programme, aimed at 13- to 17-year-olds, uses a fleet of new Opel Mokka Electrics to teach road safety and driving skills in a controlled environment.
The racetrack is set up to simulate real-world road conditions, complete with signs and junctions for participants to navigate. Instructors also use circuit safety features, including gravel traps and tyre barriers, to demonstrate the important differences between driving on a racetrack and on public roads.
This initiative supports the Road Safety Authority’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating road deaths by 2050. With recent statistics showing 16–25-year-olds make up 27% of road fatalities in Ireland, the programme emphasises the importance of early road safety education.
Around 2,500 teenagers participate annually in the programme, benefiting from practical sessions and essential road safety knowledge.
Pictured are Richard Dillon, Head of Retail Sales, Opel Ireland; and Roddy Greene, Managing Director at Mondello Park.0
IRELAND’S FIRST DIGITAL HIGWAY PROJECT LAUNCHED
Ireland’s first digital highway, the Emerald Motorway Corridor (EMCIE), will enhance 5G connectivity along the M1, M50, and M11 motorways, supporting advanced communications along one of Ireland’s key transport and logistics corridors, writes Brian Byrne.
Launched in Wicklow on October 19, the project will facilitate real-time hazard and weather alerts, cargo tracking, border automation, and infrastructure monitoring. It involves the construction of twelve new communications towers and upgrades to 22 existing ones, supported by €3.5 million from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility.
The digital highway will pilot automated transport and logistics applications, including road safety alerts and environmental monitoring, by late 2028. Initial scenarios with Rosslare Europort will demonstrate how 5G can enhance safety and efficiency, using cameras, sensors, and data analytics.
Once validated, these technologies could be expanded to other transport corridors and logistic hubs across Ireland.
Pictured above at the launch are Panagiotis Demestichas, CEO and Chairman of Wings ICT Solutions, with Brian McHugh, Managing Director of Vantage Towers Ireland and Eoin MacManus, Chief Business Officer at Three.
BMW DETAILS AND PRICES iX4
BMW has revealed details of its iX4, merging a Sports Activity Coupé design with advanced Neue Klasse technology, writes Brian Byrne. It offers a WLTP range of up to 827 km and DC rapid charging capabilities reaching 400 kW, allowing for a 386 km range boost in just ten minutes.
Launch models include the BMW iX4 40 xDrive and iX4 50 xDrive, with the high-performance 612 hp iX4 M60 xDrive set to debut in spring 2027. Standard features include M Sport specification and a large panoramic glass roof.
The sixth-generation BMW eDrive technology enhances range by 30% and charging speed by 30% compared to its predecessor.
First deliveries to Ireland are scheduled for March 2027, with prices starting at €75,705 for the iX4 40 xDrive and €83,135 for the iX4 50 xDrive.
