2024 Cadillac Lyriq AWD 'Velocity Upgrade' adds EV torque, for a $1,200 fee

The next brick in the wall of a relentlessly upgradable society has been laid: Cadillac announced a Velocity Package for the 2024 Lyriq AWD. Costing $1,200 plus tax, owners can download software that unlocks an additional 74 pound-feet of torque from the Lyriq's two motors. Instead of 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, the new twist number is 524 lb-ft., which Cadillac says is enough to shave 0.3 second off the Lyriq AWD's 4.7-second 0-60 time. Owners can find the option to upgrade in the Lyriq's infotainment system among the Drive Modes pages. Press the proper buttons, and voila, velocity!

Cadillac's done the kind thing and made the $1,200 a one-time fee. Even more kindly, the luxury brand is giving owners a seven-day consideration window — anyone not happy with the result inside of a week can "return" the software and get their money back. Polestar offers a similar "performance software upgrade" for its Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 that requires a one-time fee of $1,195 for U.S. owners. Unlike Cadillac, the Swedes only give owners three days to change their minds.