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GM is now committed to EVs and autonomous vehicles, and their presentation at CES 2021 shows that they are not going back. During the presentation, the automaker teases eight EVs, including the Chevrolet Bolt EUV and Cadillac Celestiq. GM also reveals a few features in the Cadillac Lyriq and GMC Hummer EV that were never really mentioned before. You will also see two new Cadillac concepts; one of which is an autonomous one-person drone. GM has also revealed a new commercial EV startup, BrightDrop. Their EV600 delivery truck accompanies their EP1 storage pallets. Also, with a new logo and brand identity, GM says they are ready to start a new chapter in their history.
First off, we will talk about the six mystery EVs that GM has teased. The two SUVs on the left have been confirmed as two Buick EVs that will be sold in China. At first, audiences thought that the larger Buick was a Corvette crossover, which is actually in development. In front of the Buick duo is the production Cadillac Lyriq crossover, which sits next to the GMC Hummer EV. We can't tell if the Hummer in the picture is the truck, or upcoming SUV. The red EV behind the Hummer is Chevy's rumored plug-in hybrid/electric pickup truck, which should arrive in 2022 or later and slot below the Silverado. It looks quite car-like for a truck, at least in the teaser. In front of that is thew Cadillac Celestiq flagship sedan, which will reportedly be sold in limited numbers. It looks a lot like the Lyriq. The most shadowy vehicle, sitting behind the Celestiq, has not been pointed out by GM, and the lack of a logo doesn't help. The car looks like a sedan, so it could either be a Chevrolet Mailbu successor, or a foreign-market model.
Below is a blurry Buick compact crossover. It looks like a Buick version of the Chevrolet Bolt EUV from here.
This is the Buick that was mistaken for a Corvette...
This crossover is the production version of the Cadillac Lyriq.
Below is the electric Chevrolet pickup truck. The front lightbar is nicely integrated with the illuminated logo.
This is the luxurious Cadillac Celestiq flagship sedan, taking place of the CT6.
We don't know what this is.
The Celestiq flagship sedan was teased at the CES presentation. There will be a huge 33-inch infotainment screen looming across the entire dashboard, with "a curated selection of hand-crafted materials" surrounding it. Rear-seat entertainment screens mimic the Lyriq, as well as a rear-seat comfort settings system in between the front and rear seats. The sedan will have a range of over 300 miles, thanks to GM's Ultium battery platform that will underpin it. Another benefit from Ultium is that the Celestiq will be able to have a low profile. Another luxurious feature is that a pure glass button on the center console will set the transparency of the "four-quadrant, suspended-particle-device smart glass" roof. Since the glass has four quadrants, four occupants will be able to customize their own panel. Design-wise, the swoopy flagship sedan will strongly resemble the Lyriq, so Cadillac obviously has a new design language for their EVs. The hand-built electric sedan takes the place of the CT6, arriving within the next year or so.
Along with the Celestiq teasers, Cadillac has revealed two autonomous concepts. The first one is a luxury self-driving pod. This may sound a lot like other autonomous vehicles, except this particular vehicle sets its focus on a luxurious experience. The concept has a faux fireplace, something that you wouldn't even expect in an autonomous vehicle. The pod also includes an integrated camera to take pictures, and has the ability to take biometric readings of occupants to adjust the climate, seat temperature, and humidity to a comfortable setting. A large glass roof "keeps passengers connected to the outside world". Two recliners accompany the bench seating that lines that front and side of the interior. We wish we could take a ride in something like this.
The luxury brand's second concept is a drone, yes, a drone, that can carry one person from point A to B...in the sky. Called the Vertical Take-Off and Landing Drone, this concept is designed to fly over its home city to landing stations called ''. According to Cadillac, the drone can reach a relaxing top speed of 56 miles per hour. This self-driving, or self-flying vehicle reaches GM's goal of zero congestion. Both the PAV pod and Vertical Take-Off and Landing Drone, if they ever become reality, could face competition from Volvo, Airbus, and even Audi.
Next up, GM has released more details about Super Cruise. It will appear on 22 new EVs by 2023, starting with the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. A few more gas vehicles will receive Super Cruise as well, including the facelifted GMC Sierra pickup truck. When activated, the updated system will scan the driver's face, checking that they are paying attention. If the occupant's eyes are not focused on the road, the LED light on the steering wheel will flash red and beep, warning the driver to keep full awareness.
A new teaser reveals the Chevy Bolt EUV's steering wheel (with the Super Cruise light bar), and the fancy digital instrument cluster. The standard Bolt EV hatchback should receive a similar setup.
Also, GM will release a new lineup of apps, MyBuick, MyChevrolet, MyCadillac and MyGMC. Owners will be able to lock and unlock their vehicle, start and stop the car and its alarm, check the car's charging status, customize their account settings, and make additional vehicle and accessory purchases. Owners can also find the nearest charging station when the vehicle runs low on energy while on the go. All four applications will be available this spring.
GM has also released their new electric commercial vehicle and retail startup, BrightDrop. Starting with the EV600 delivery truck, BrightDrop will be known for a unique process that includes their EP1 storage pallets. The compact EP1's will carry goods from the factory floor to storefronts. They can be tethered to each other, and are only operated by one person, by foot or by BrightDrop's Medium Distance Concepts. EP1's are quickly loaded onto the EV600 trucks with a Rapid Load process that opens the side of the truck, while an automatic forklift hauls the three storage pallets into the truck. The EV600's have a 250-mile range, and follow the footsteps of Amazon's Rivian-made electric vans. BrightDrop is meant to reduce costs, increase productivity, improve safety of operators, and reduce our carbon footprint. You'll see EV600's later this year in the form of FedEx delivery trucks.
GMC's new Hummer EV has a lot of features never seen before in a car. A few of them haven't really been reviewed in-depth yet, so GM decided that CES 2021 was the perfect time to fully introduce these features. First off, the Hummer's 'Watts to Freedom' 0-60 acceleration system has been explained once more. When the driver presses the 'Double Traction' button twice, a message appears on the digital instrument cluster saying "Vehicle will lower; Repeated usage will caused accelerated wear on vehicle". In other words, the driver is about to do something amazing. After the 'Let's Go' button is pressed, the Hummer lowers itself and the temperature of the battery electronics will lower as well. Another acknowledgment on the digital instrument cluster tells the driver to hit the brakes. The seats and subwoofer speakers will begin to shake as the driver brakes. Next, the driver will be told to accelerate up to the required level of speed. Finally, the driver will hold on the brake. Once the brake is released, the vehicle drives off at full speed.
Also, the Hummer's 'Terrain Mode' offers one-pedal driving that enhances off-road performance with "precision handling and low speeds". Combining the torque power of the EV propulsion system and friction brakes, GM says it "delivers a level of modulation that is beyond anything that we have delivered from a gas or diesel-powered engine." It boasts a smooth ride and better control of the vehicle, while mastering any tough terrain. And, last but not least, the Hummer features Bose sound enhancement technology. The GMC Hummer EV is the first vehicle to offer this system. It includes guitar riffs, high frequency feedback, and inspiration from Formula-E to promote the strength and power of the Hummer. GM calls it "a truly immersive sensory experience".
As for the Cadillac Lyriq, the luxury brand has gone in detail with the EV's lighting sequences and opulent interior. First off, the Lyriq has a welcoming lighting sequence that turns on the headlights and taillights in an entertaining way as the driver approaches. It includes flashes, Audi-like turning signal movements, and animated LED lights. A Cadillac emblem on the front fender also glows as the owner touches the flush door handles. Once inside, Cadillac describes how the infotainment screen is also powered by Unreal gaming software, like the GMC Hummer EV. The large LED display has the ability to showcase one billion colors. More technology, like head-up displays and 3d imagery, that accompanies Super Cruise is made in part with Territory Studios and Rightpoint. The video below fast forwards to the Cadillac Lyriq's lighting sequences. (All other sections of the video after the Lyriq will be shown as well.
That is all that GM has showed us today, and we can't wait to see more in the coming years. We will admit that this presentation has made us more excited about the electric future of Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.
Source Credits: General Motors
Image and Video Credits: General Motors (and CNet via YouTube)
Screenshots: Carz
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