Anybody who is aware of the phrase “badge engineering” is aware of that Common Motors is among the greatest offenders. All through historical past, the corporate has supplied autos which are mechanically an identical however offered beneath two, three and even 4 manufacturers. Within the electrical period, the corporate is making an attempt to additional differentiate its merchandise, as Alex Dykes explains within the newest EV Consumers Information video.
In it, he breaks down the core variations between the Chevy Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq. Each are all-electric “Ultium” autos constructed on the identical platform, with related software program suites. However there are some main variations between these intently associated cousins that you just would not have seen through the fuel period.
For example, whereas each provide all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive variants, the Blazer additionally affords front-wheel drive. That makes the Blazer EV one of many solely automobiles in historical past to supply FWD, RWD and AWD, one thing that may be almost unattainable to do economically with an internal-combustion engine because of the completely different packaging necessities of RWD and FWD autos. The Blazer takes it a step additional, too, providing each front-biased and rear-biased AWD techniques, relying on in case you get the common AWD model or the tire-smoking SS.
The Blazer and Lyriq additionally provide barely completely different battery choices. The Blazer EV RWD, Blazer EV SS and all variations of the Lyriq get a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery that costs at as much as 190 kW. However FWD and AWD Blazer LT and RS fashions get an 85 kWh battery that costs at simply 150 kW, and its low-voltage pack means it struggles to hit these speeds on some chargers.
Clearly, there are some main variations. However the huge one you will discover instantly is the Cadillac’s nicer inside and better base worth. Plus, in case you crossed the Blazer off your checklist as a result of it would not provide Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, notice that the Lyriq does. Or, ya know, get a Honda Prologue, which can be principally the identical automobile. That is the magic of badge engineering.
Contact the creator: Mack.Hogan@insideevs.com.
