Just as BMW has its M and Mercedes-AMG its S, Cadillac's V stands as the emblem of its high-performance lineup. Since its debut in 2003, the V-Series has shattered the luxury cruiser image, delivering speeds that rival German performance cars and showcasing a different facet of the brand.

That’s a big deal for GM, which has struggled (as have other automakers) with the bumpy rollout of NACS adapters to its EV customers. As the first native NACS vehicle, the Optiq-V signals the start of a more seamless, less dongle-dependent charging future for GM’s EVs.

Cadillac's smallest electric SUV has received the hot V-Series treatment, with a meaner look, more power, and chassis tweaks.