Just yesterday, GM Authority exclusively reported that GM’s upcoming 2021 Escalade will start at $76,195 in the United States. Today, we’re back with yet another exclusive, this time about the SUV’s optional diesel engine.
Sources familiar with Cadillac’s go-to-market plans told GM Authority that the diesel engine will be offered as a no-cost option on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade.
To recap, Cadillac announced back in February that the 2021Â Escalade will offer two engine choices: the naturally-aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine and the turbo-diesel 3.0L I6 LM2. Output for the standard gasoline V8 is rated at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm, while the turbodiesel six is rated at 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. Both engines mate with the GM 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed with Ford.
| Engine | Aspiration | Fuel Type | Valvetrain | Horsepower @ RPM | Lb-Ft Torque @ RPM | Transmission | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.2L V8 L87 | Atmospheric | Gasoline | OHV | 420 @ 5,600 | 460 @ 4100 | 10-speed auto | |
| 3.0L I6 LM2 | Turbo-charged | Diesel | DOHC | 277 @ 3750 | 460 @ 1500 | 10-speed auto |
The diesel is a first for the Escalade nameplate and will appeal to those who are into fuel efficiency by delivering “significant” MPG gains when compared to the gasoline-powered model. Those improvements in fuel economy should translate to a longer driving range, enabling owners to spend more time on the road and less time getting fuel.
However, those fuel economy gains will likely come at the expense of some performance, given that the turbo-diesel mill is down nearly 150 ponies versus the gas V8. Peak torque for both engines is identical, though the diesel achieves it significantly lower on the rpm band.
GM currently offers the same turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder Duramax engine in the 2019 and newer Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. The pickups feature notably better fuel economy and overall driving range when compared to their counterparts equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 gas engine.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is slated to go into production at the GM Arlington Assembly plant in Texas in mid-2020. However, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced GM to temporarily idle its North American manufacturing operations while also pushing some new products back by a model year. As of this writing, the 2021 Escalade is still on track to launch for the 2021 model year, but that could change in the future.
We’ll have more on the new Escalade in the near future, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
this isn’t a surprise given the pricing structure of the 6.2 and 3.0 on other GM trucks. With Escalade however i actually thought they may incentivize the diesel with a midrange package being cheaper than a similarly equipped 6.2. like a Duramax Appearance Package that is cheaper than the Radiant pack for a 6.2
Cadillac does some weird stuff.
Beat all expectation with the XT4.
Lose all hope with the XT6 (XT5 XL).
Add a volume knob.
Discontinue the CT6-V
New, bada$$ Escalade.
Only 8 colors to choose from.
Very confusing. Always up and down and up and down…..
The XT6 that you and so many others love to hate on was the fastest-turning model in its segment last quarter. So much for “lose all hope” and whatnot.
Its not what it could have been or should have been. Its a gap filler and we expect more from Cadillac… ETC
Eat that crow, I’ve been in the XT6. I’ve driven an XT5, they are both fantastic cars.
What I meant was, everyone was calling the XT4 a failure before it came out. Then everyone had high expectations for the 6 and when it came out it was a bit of a let down. Would I buy one? Hell yes!! But is it better than say…. an Aviator? or an X7? No its really not. Especially when it comes to the shared powertrain. The 3.6 is a great engine, but id love to see an optional 3.0TT or 3.6TT.
clearly you set your standards low…. every review of these 3 vehicles is they’re substandard and every review of the Corsair, Aviator, Navigator is exemplary. We don’t “hate” these vehicles we just wish they were up to the Std of the World. Cadillac deserves REAL premium and these just arent. They’re slightly nicer interiors on standard GM platforms…. nothing more… and way more expensive than they should be…
The XT6 was last in sales in its segment for1st quarters sales results, so unless your inverted I wouldn’t call that a win for Cadillac. It’s another participation trophy vehicle for Cadillac, other than the Escalade nothing else is class leading.
You know how it is, you drop over $90K on a sweet ride and don’t have money for gas (as the price of oil is trading for $20-21 a barrel); so you opt for a diesel engine to stretch your dollars more; this is what General Motors CEO Mary Barra was thinking when she gave the project the green light while killing the idea of installing the Blacking Twin-Turbo V8 in the Escalade.
Can’t figure out if you’re a troll, a bufoon or a bot.
It’s not about stretching dollars… its about offering choice. Greater choice = more sales… more sales = more money.
Blackwing? Who needs Blackwing when Escalade is getting the more powerful LT4 from the CTS-V?
That makes no sense……diesel fuel has been more expensive than 87 octane for a long time, ever since the government started requiring ultra low sulfer
How about this.
In order to stop these pollution spewing machines from hurting our environment further the federal government mandates all escalades are either Diesel or Electric.
For ninty percent of the drivers, the diesel will feel like it has more power….because it does for most driving. Power is what you feel and torque at normal driving RPM is much better below 3,500 RPM in the diesel, than the 6.2 gasser. I’ll bet that over 40 percent of the buyers will pick the diesel over the gasser, as long as they road test both engines.
Wait a minute are you the same Mark Smyth who keeps touting his status as a member of the SAE?
If you are then you should probably know that the diesel will feel slow for “ninety percent of the drivers.”
I’ll bet you right here Mr SAE member that take-rate for the diesel will be less than 25%… in a good month.
Yep, many people here have never driven a diesel! This truck with 460 ft lbs of torque at 1500 rpm’s will no doubt feel strong. The 10 speed transmission will shift quick and hold gears climbing hills longer than the 6.2. I honestly doubt the 3.0 diesel will rarely turn more than 3000 rpm’s in daily driving.
The majority of drivers do not feel torque as power. They equate the speed of acceleration as power. No quick acceleration with the diesel will kill sales.
There will be two typical buyers for the diesel…
1. People who tow a lot.
2. Livery companies.
They already have the motor ready for this platform.
While the blackwing is a cool motor… It’s not enough of and upgrade to the 6.2 and the costs to make it work would have been more than they’d make back in selling it
Been waiting for diesel option forever, finally. Thank you
I think this is a fantastic move on the part of GM and Cadillac. By simply making the Diesel a no cost option they WILL increase the take rate and improve their CAFE ratings.(not that I care about those). But Diesels do get better mileage and this goes against typical GM which would normally make it a $2500.00 optional extra. Bravo GM…
Glad that the diesel is not a $6,000 option. Now, if GM would allow the interior and dash to be similar in the other truck lines, they’d outsell everyone.
I believe DEF fluid is still required don’t think many Caddy owners want the inconvenience of filling that up as well.Especially soccer Moms when the light comes on and power is reduced on the way to the grocery store. Think gas will out sell the diesel.
Sure, gas is cheap. But better mileage translates into longer range for a given tank size. This is especially true if you are towing a trailer. One will notice the difference in power by the fewer numbers of speeding tickets one will get on Interstates.
This may make more sense for buy and hold types like me due to economics and longevity for a diesel (one would hope). I’d be looking at the lower end Esky and the Denali. Gas won’t be cheap forever, but I’d sure like to drive these for a while longer.
Gas price in my area $1.39 Diesel price much higher, that 6.2 is good for 250,000 miles now with the quality that GM has put into it. over 250,000 miles with difference in fuel price, what are we looking at? I have an auto that says PREMIUM only, I have been putting Mobile 87 octane in it from day one. Only Mobile now, no issues over 150,000 miles.
yay
More dirty, stinking diesels.
One winter of waiting endlessly for it to warm up, all the while sucking the stinky fumes in through the heater, most will resell for a loss.
DEF too.
Cadillac buyers will not be impressed.