2021 Cadillac Escalade Will Receive Paddle Shifters
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A new batch of spy photos of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade has revealed the next-generation SUV will come with paddle shifters for its transmission, marking the first time the full-size offering has included a paddle-shifted transmission.
As our sister site Cadillac Society points out, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade paddle shifters are located on the SUV’s steering wheel. Some automakers, such as Alfa Romeo, will mount paddle shifters to the steering column, leaving them fixed in one place instead of turning with the steering wheel. Cadillac has taken the more conventional route here, though, mounting them at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions on the wheel, so they will rotate with the wheel as the driver turns.
This prototype doesn’t have the magnesium paddle shifters of the CTS, ATS and CT5, instead featuring black paddles. Of course, we prefer Cadillac use magnesium paddles, but it’s worth noting that this is a pre-production prototype, so a lot can change between now and the Escalade’s debut in early 2020. GM may also be planning magnesium paddles for better-equipped versions of the SUV.
As Cadillac Society also points out, the Cadillac Escalade will feature the automaker’s Electronic Precision Shift technology, as indicated by the digital shifter stalk located on the center console. With all-new Cadillac models coming equipped with Electronic Precision Shift, the Escalade is the final model in its portfolio to adopt the shift-by-wire technology. As you may already know, the current Escalade has a mechanical shift linkage operated by an old-school column shifter.
While having paddle shifters on standard versions of the 2021 Cadillac Escalade probably won’t be very important to most buyers, the technology will be important on the incoming high-performance version. Details on this high-performance model aren’t yet clear, but rumors allege it will come with one of General Motors‘ 6.2-liter supercharged small-block V8 engines under the hood.
The fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade is expected to make its debut sometime in early 2020. In addition to the paddle-shifted transmission, it will also offer completely revamped interior and exterior styling as well as a new powertrain lineup. Eventually, a battery-electric variant will also arrive, which is expected to offer up to 400 miles of range on a single charge.
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This report was written in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
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Finally.
Hey, Cadillac. Keep the FWD SUV’s that are sharing the lower-class platforms.
No problem. People will buy them.
But here’s a suggestion-and a good one IMHO:
Make 3 sizes of the Escalade. Rear Wheel drive, and AWD, of course.
All of them should come in three trim levels.
Luxury
Premium
And-a V version.
Make them all fairly similar in looks, just different sizes and pricing points, accordingly.
Print the money and, feel free to send me some!
You are welcome!
Always wanted an Escalade sport. Like Rover does.
Those paddles look an awful lot like the Regen paddles on the ELR.
What does a “debut” mean? Is that they expected reveal, or when they will be available to buy?
Debut means reveal, a showing with photos, details, etc.
Launch means available to buy.
They used the plastic ones because GM knows they aren’t getting used any way.
Another nonsense article from GMA.
Articles like these negatively affect to the brand’s image. You posted GMC/Tahoe’s interior 2-3 months ago, concviencing us that they belonged to the new Escalade.
Alex tore his hair, trying to prove that they belonged to Cadillac, turned out the other way around, as you see))
.
Now you are saying that it won’t get metal or magnesium paddle shifters… How the ******** u know that? The truth is that u have no idea.
This is a PROTOTYPE. Get it through ur noob heads )))
Even the CT5 has them.
The author clearly stated this is a prototype and things can change from now til the debut. Calm down
Yo Luigi. Mario called. He said to eat some mushrooms to calm down. So calm. The fu#k down and get this throu your thick skull: the only nonsense here is you and your dumb comment. The paddles are clearly plastic. GMA states very blatantly that this can change. Calm. Down.
Also, nobody was convincing you that the Yukon interior was the Escalade’s interior. All Alex said was it was an Escalade body with a Yukon interior.
You full of hot air and hate but light on substance. Eat some shrooms Luigi or Mario will be upset.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2020-Cadillac-CT5-Interior-Spy-Shots-
Take a look at the CT5 spy shots that GMA posted a long time ago. Do u see metal or magnesium paddle shifters there?
I don’t see them, even though the production models got them.
GMA has to check their own articles from time to time so they don’t look silly by posting bs like this:
“but the cost-cutting team appears to have won that battle.”
Luigi – what does this article say about the paddle material?
Though Kyle already stuck it in your face, I’ll quote it for you right here anyway:
… “so a lot can change between now and the Escalade’s debut in early 2020″…
Hence, this states that things may change because this is an IREV.
I find it interesting that you chose to ignore that line in the article and ignore another reader’s comment but continue your crusade.
I’ll be here when you decide to accept that you jumped to a conclusion, but I won’t hold my breath.
By the way Luigi, you’re wrong.
Like the CT6, the CT5 offers black plastic paddles on the lower trim levels. Magnesium paddles are an option. So this line from the article…
“GM may also be planning magnesium paddles for better-equipped versions of the SUV.”
… is spot on.
Again, I’ll be here when you come to your senses and decide to issue an apology.
Alex – side bar question. Any intel on when the SUVs will be revealed? I’m hoping LA auto show or sometimes this year
From what I know as of a few days ago, there will be a separate event for the ‘Lade in January, but that can still change.
The time frame is moving because of the strike. Will report on anything concrete.
Long time GMA reader, new commenter. I had to comment on this one to commend Alex on putting in line these so-called critics like Luigi who know nothing and add nothing of value but just complain about everything in the comments.
It doesn’t take a genious to realize that the base models of the new Escalade will have plastic paddles and the uplevel models will have magnesium ones. It’s the same thing they did in my CT6.
Keep doing what you’re doing Alex. Though you might not hear it often, your insight, knowledge, whit are appreciated.
How about some competition for the GLC or GLE AMG versions?
Generic Motors would be a more accurate name.
Now with 3.6 litre front drive and the newest badges gm has shipped from China oh wait this is the year they put a cabin filter in, big stuff, I mean at least fix the 6.2 lifter/manifold/6 speed transmission? You know Ford had been putting the “co-developed” 10 speed trans I’m, even the small engine f150 for 4 years now, what gives? Gm must think all buyers it had left are just dumb enough…. It’s going to be badged all new but still going to come up way short of the navigator, I mean, stupid short… I doubt much new tech, probably slightly different sheet metal and badges
Yet the XT6 already outselling Aviator 2 to 1. With the strike Ford might catch up but not much with the Aviator’s Chicago factory quality and worker problems
Man, the GM haters are out in force. Makes one wonder why they take the time come drop in.
Frankly, I think the Escalade is going to make the Navigator look like a barge when we finally see it and drive it.
Agree.
The back of the navigator looks like a barge already. Just a big square blank box with a light bar going across. Whoopy-dippy-do !
My only question is why? What’s the point of paddle shifters on a full size suv? Spend the money on things that will get noticed or used. I use them on my V but not on my suv and they are both 400+ HP!
Escalade-V, that’s why. And why not?
I’m disappointed to now see the 2021 Escalade will have that center console shifter. I had read in previous articles they were going to have push button shifters on the dash. I hate having console shifters as they are in the way which could be used for storage. I’d rather they keep the shifter on the column. I have used those new shifters on the xt5 and I just don’t like the feel of them. I have had Escalades since their debut and sedans prior to that. Now I’ll probably switch to Navigator. I’m like most people in that I never use the paddles.