Cadillac had previously gone on the record to state it did not plan to dilute the V-series badge by using it on its crossover and SUV offerings. Instead, the brand said that Vsport variants were much more likely, something softer, less hardcore than a true V-series. It seems the tide may have turned inside Cadillac, however.
Motor Trend’s Jonny Lieberman recently published a tweet to his personal Twitter account stating a Cadillac Escalade V is “imminent.”
Not only does MT say an Escalade V is imminent, but it is reportedly coming with LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V8 power. Yes, this very well could be a 600 hp-plus Cadillac Escalade, most likely paired to an eight-speed automatic to handle the gobs of power.
The full-size SUV is already equipped with General Motors’ Magnetic Ride Control system as standard, but it’s very likely that grippier tires will be applied to enhance the SUV’s sporting capabilities.
It’s no secret the Escalade is a cash hauler for GM, and an Escalade V could only grow the profitability factor with a hefty premium over a “mere pedestrian” Escalade.
MT reports the Cadillac Escalade V could debut as soon as the 2016 New York International Auto Show. Expect the vehicle to carry a hefty premium above the “pedestrian” Escalade, while continuing to contribute to the nameplate’s cash-making ability.
Comments
This sounds awesome, but is this really necessary? Either way, I can dig an Escalade-V! I just hope the old live rear axle suspension can handle all the performance enhancements and gobs of power from the LT4.
Can’t come soon enough. This would be a great addition to the Escalade line up.
It would do well against the current crop of performance intended larger SUV’S such as the ML63AMG, M5 and Range Rover SC.
Currently the regular Escalade ‘ s 0-60 is about 5.6 seconds (Car and Driver ) with ‘only ‘ 420hp so just think what 600+hp would do to those performance numbers.
Add the requisite Brembo brakes, stiffer suspension, lower ride height, bigger stickier tires/wheels, sportier appearance, etc. that goes along with a sport model and you have yourself a winner.
I totally concur, with your comments…and am very excited to see this come to the Market Place…What a Statement this will make. Just one thing, I seriously hope that this will Push the Great folks at GM, to place the Shifter in the Center Console, on All of their Escalade’s, and Sierra SLT and Denali Pickup Trucks!! The average buyer of those models, have been driving European automobiles, and utility type vehicles for several years, and I am one of them…It belongs there. Our garage has been home to both Mercedes, and GM SUV.s for 20 years, and I have hoped for this opportunity, for GM for all 20 years. Thank you GM for getting back to your Roots…Cars that are Exciting to Own and Drive.
Price tag.. 150k. It will sell thou
List price $115K..will sell though.
In light of Jeep planning to drop the Dodge Hellcat into the Cherokee and Bentley’s upcoming Bentayga SUV with a 6.0-liter W12; Cadillac’s decision to drop the 600-650 hp LT4 supercharged 6.2L V8 in the Escalade is a real necessity to keep pace and market share. Cadillac should now consider dropping the LF4 455 hp twin-turbo 3.6L DOHC-4v V6 into the upcoming XT5 which will replace the SRX.
I feel like that is already in the plans.
Cadillac has publically said that although that they will not do a ‘V’ model for each segment but there will be more ‘V Sport ‘ models.
The 3.0TT is a good fit for a ‘V Sport ‘ version of the XT5.
omegatalon that’s what I was about to say. Thank you to FCA and Volkswagen Group for finally forcing Cadillac’s hand. Especially FCA. Once the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk drops, you can bet on it taking a huge bite out of the performance SUV market, including those costing almost twice as much. However, the real scary unknown for that market is what FCA might do to the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which will be their true Range Rover competitor. At this point, it’s safe to assume FCA will use lessons learned from engineering the trackhawk to purpose build the Grand Wagoneer’s chassis to best use that power.
This means a number of things for GM as a whole:
Now the Escalade earns its stripes as a luxury/performance truck-based SUV and will be a serious contender against the G 65AMG, the Range Rover SVR as you mentioned, and the imminent BMW X7 M.
It further separates it from the GMC Yukon Denali, giving GMC the room to make their trucks move slightly upmarket to compete with Jeep, Acura, and Volvo’s SUV offerings.
Speaking of GMC, it also opens the door to a LF4-derived GMC engine for a modern GMC Cyclone to take on the Ford Raptor.
Something tells me this is the V-Sport model and I wonder how true the story from Motor Trend is.
At the same time, I am excited but also am wondering about speculation. Anything from Motor Trend should be taken as a grain of salt.
you are kinda right on that.
wasn’t Motor Trend another one of the sources that kept insisting on a Cruze Coupe in the works that never happened?
well, it should be a no brainer that the Escalade needs a unique performance upgrade to keep up with its European competitors. Escalade is too important to Cadillac and GM to let its desirability and cache decline. Escalade remains a status symbol for the wealthy and elites. No one denies Escalade’s road presence. Keep the Escalade as the benchmark of the luxury SUV/LUV class by keeping the luxury and and adding the hi-po bits and pieces. This is so simple that even Rick Waggoner could figure it out.