Cadillac have kicked off their first Formula 1 week by debuting the Cadillac Riverwalk Lounge with an intimate preview of Cadillac’s captivating Grand Prix destination on the Yarra last night ahead of its official opening.
This exclusive evening marked the debut of Cadillac’s full electric portfolio in Australia, offering VIP guests an unprecedented opportunity to experience the brand’s most advanced expression of design, power, and innovation including the Cadillac OPTIQ, LYRIQ, and the VISTIQ.
With the OPTIQ and VISTIQ joining the LYRIQ, Cadillac now offers customers in Australia and New Zealand three all-electric luxury SUVs to suit their lifestyle, said GM Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Jess Bala.
“The launch of the OPTIQ and VISTIQ marks the next phase of Cadillac’s expansion in Australia and New Zealand,” said Bala.
The OPTIQ and VISTIQ will provide owners a premium driving experience, with stand-out design and a next-level sound system . Both feature an AKG Studio Audio System, a Cadillac exclusive, with Dolby Atmos capability. The larger VISTIQ boasts a 23-speaker full surround sound set up, and the smaller OPTIQ provides a rich listening experience via its 19-speakers . Active noise cancelling technology in the cabin provides passengers an immersive, studio-quality audio experience that adapts to the cabin’s unique acoustics.
“These premium electric vehicles are designed from the ground up to be both electric and effortlessly luxurious for every passenger,” Bala said.
The OPTIQ brings bold design, intuitive and artfully integrated technology, as well as dynamic acceleration and performance to a new generation of EV buyers in the compact luxury SUV segment. The three-row VISTIQ compliments Cadillac’s EV range with a more spacious, family-focused, luxury SUV designed for customers who want electric driving combined with comfort, interior flexibility and impressive road presence.
The Cadillac OPTIQ starts from $80,000 and the Cadillac VISTIQ starts from $116,000, both prices exclude on-road costs. Customers can explore the OPTIQ, LYRIQ, and VISTIQ online at www.cadillacanz.com or at our Cadillac Experience Centres in Sydney and Auckland, with sales to begin shortly.
After spending some time getting to know the expanded Cadillac range guests enjoyed an evening at Marmont for an immersive experience featuring elevated hospitality, bespoke cocktails, and high-energy entertainment in true Cadillac style.
This included a Q&A session between Mark Reuss, the President of General Motors and Cadillac Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas. They spoke of their immense pride heading into the first weekend that a Cadillac will line-up on the F1 grid, something the brand has been working towards for many years.
The Cadillac F1 car will be powered by a Ferrari engine for the first three years of their campaign in the world’s toughest motorsport category. After that GM Performance Power Units LLC., founded by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, have been officially approved as an F1 power unit supplier by the FIA, starting in 2029.
Cadillac revealed their 2026 livery in an iconic all-American manner with simultaneous launches at Times Square and around coverage of the 2026 Super Bowl. There’s real meaning in the colours, with the black representing the bold attitude of the car. The white, which is the actual racing colour of America, suggests the fresh, clean, and optimistic outlook of the team. Cadillac have also partnered with some of the biggest brands from the USA including Tommy Hilfiger and Jim Beam,
Bottas wasn’t the only familiar face at Cadillac’s launch event with actor Terry Crews, former Miss World Tess Alexander, former FIA Formula 1 Race Director Michael Masi, and Supercars driver David Reynolds also being present.
The event builds on Cadillac’s momentum, not just with their expanded vehicle range in Australia, but in what is going to be a historic event when they take the grid on Sunday at Albert Park. Cadillac have signalled their intent and it’s going to be very exciting seeing what they will deliver when the lights go out this Sunday.
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.