Yes, Caddy has finally stepped up the Escalade.
Cadillac’s V division, a high-performance engine, has been around nearly as long as Cadillac’s Escalade. In 1999, the SUV was introduced. The first V-branded vehicle (the CTSV) arrived in 2004. The two worlds have not crossed paths in 17 years, but that could change now.
Seen here for first time Motor1.com Two camouflaged Escalade test cars are available that our sources claim to be part of the V family. It is difficult to see the details under the heavy covers. Cadillac used some cladding behind their grille screen to make it look like something we would expect to see. Ram It’s not sufficient to cover the lower fascia. It looks a little lower and more aggressive. There are also quad exhaust outlets at its back. Although these are still in the process of being tested, it is a clear indication that we are not dealing with regular Escalades.
One test vehicle is shorter than the standard Escalade while the other is longer like the ESV. Both vehicles are on black multi-spoke tires, but the Escalade’s ride height doesn’t seem to have been altered for better handling. We doubt the SUV’s three-ton weight will ever be able to corner carve effectively, but it is likely that the Escalade’s image and power will be the main focus.
Cadillac has reorganized their V lineup to be modest mid-level performance machines. Caddy’s most powerful predator is now Blackwing, but there’s no indication that the Escalade will go that far. We hear that this model will get the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 of the CT5-V Blackwing. It produces 668 horsepower (498kilowatts), though it is possible that the mill could be tuned for the Escalade. Even if it’s not, the large SUV body would still offer dynamic performance but not record-setting thrust.
When will the Escalade V be available in dealerships? It is not yet known, but these prototypes are wearing heavy camo and have janky parts to test, so it could be quite some time before we see the Escalade-V in dealerships. The best prediction right now is a 2023 model.