• Cadillac has teased the sporty version of its Optiq electric crossover called the Optiq-V.
• It will be released later this year with an aggressive exterior makeover, extra power and improved handling.
• It won’t rival more enthusiast-focused EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but it will make an already good crossover faster.

Cadillac wants to inject some excitement into its rather good Optiq electric crossover by launching the Optiq-V performance variant. All we have to go on right now is a teaser photo showing part of its front end, which gets an aggressive makeover similar to the recently unveiled Lyriq-V, and it should be considerably more powerful than the standard model.

If it borrows the dual-motor powertrain from the Lyriq, then it could have 515 horsepower and 450 pound-feet (610 Nm) of torque. That should be more than enough for an acceleration time from nought to sixty in under 4 seconds and plenty of in-gear punch. The larger, more powerful Lyriq-V with 615 horsepower hits sixty in a claimed 3.3 seconds, making it the quickest-accelerating production Cadillac ever.

The regular Optiq dual-motor (the only available powertrain configuration) has a combined output of 300 hp and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm), and its benchmark sprint time should be around the 5-second mark. The standard 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack won’t be changed for the V variant, but its range will be lower than the standard dual-motor’s EPA-rated 302 miles (or 249 miles driven constantly at 70 mph on the highway).

Cadillac isn’t just giving the Optiq-V extra power without supporting upgrades. Specially tuned suspension and steering will deliver superior precision, and the brakes will be bigger to keep that extra power in check. The two teaser shots shared by Cadillac show a subtle carbon fiber rear trunk lid spoiler, V badges and a more aggressive front fascia. The wheels will also be more aggressive and unique to the Optiq-V.

The standard Optiq dual-motor has a starting price of $54,390 with the destination charge included. The hot Optiq is set to be fully unveiled later this year and will probably cost close to $70,000.

We recently drove the Optiq and found a lot to like, even though it’s also clearly Cadillac’s entry-level EV. It has a smooth ride, enough range to ease your anxiety, and with the federal tax credit included, you can get one for under $47,000. That makes it a very strong buy in a segment where you will have to pay around that for a vehicle with a mainstream badge that doesn’t qualify for the $7,500 incentive.