The Cadillac Escalade EXT was a unique offering in the automotive marketplace. Pickups are usually marketed toward working-class individuals, so the premium Cadillac pickup truck essentially had the luxury segment all to itself – no matter how minuscule the demand for such a segment may have been.
The Escalade EXT went out of production in 2013 and shows no signs of making a return, but that doesn’t mean the idea of a Cadillac pickup has completely jogged its memory. The official GM Design Instagram page recently shared a sketch for a fictional Cadillac pickup truck that one of the automaker’s designers, Andrew McMillan, drew up recently and we think that General Motors fans will like the result.
This fictional Cadillac pickup truck taps the automaker’s v-shaped grille and appears similar to the grille that was offered on the pre-facelift Cadillac CT6 sedan. The grille is flanked by two massive, vertically-integrated air intakes, which feature an embedded LED light bar running vertically on their outer edges. A front underbody skid plate protects the bumper and undertray from damage when off-roading, while an integrated roof rack gives this luxury-minded truck some added utility. Also of note are the rectangular side mirrors, which appear quite slim and narrow for being affixed to such a large and lumbering pickup truck, and the sizable ground clearance.
With GM shifting Cadillac to focus mostly on battery-electric vehicles in the coming years, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll ever see the Cadillac Escalade EXT return. The automaker could potentially be more interested in a rugged truck or SUV if it were fully electric, however the upcoming GMC Hummer EV looks as though it will fill the gap in GM’s portfolio for a pricy electric pickup truck. For now, Cadillac will likely be staying laser-focused on important products like the Cadillac Lyriq crossover and Celestiq sedan.
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This story was written in collaboration with our sister site, Cadillac Society.
Comments
yes. please.
Cadillac and Pick up Truck don’t belong in the same sentence.
The previous truck was a hit but it’s success story would only be temporary.
It came out 8-10 years too early. Lux trucks are all the rage now.
It’s called gmc
We tried this before and GM showed no real interest so adding a battery won’t change it.
Given that California will only sell electric vehicles starting in 2035; General Motors needs to start this project today given the slow development time of major vehicle programs.
@omegatalon:
GM has the Hummer All Electric coming out soon. And it’s well known there is an All Electric Escalade planned for the near future.
I wouldn’t be worried about GM with Electrics.
I say do it! They are doing a full assault with the “iq” models. Luxury trucks are big money. It could be an american G-wagon.
To the Author:
I disagree that the Celestiq is “important”. Great. But not important like the volume products. I suspect few of us will ever see a Celestiq outside of photos.
It will be every bit as successful as the Lincoln Blackwood.
If Chevy brought back the Escalade EXT or Avalanche I would buy one today. There is nothing in the line up today that would make me by a new vehicle. I would prefer a little smaller vehicle than the Silverado with the options of truck and ride of Tahoe. The Colorado doesn’t have enough back seat passenger room and is still a truck.
I purchased a 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT, new off the lot, and have driven it ever since to thousands of places, ranging from construction sites to 5 star restaurants and hotels. The parking valets always fight over who gets to park it! I also have a 2007 ESV, but it does not draw the same response as the EXT. Hopefully, Cadillac will offer a pick up version of their planned Electric SUV, planned for 2022 release. If so, I might be tempted to trade in my two Escalades for matching electric Cadillac SUV and pick ups! California Cadi Cruiser
Cadillac should build a Cadillac, and not any of those little S**tboxes that they build today.
Rick,
I agree 100% with you that they should build a “Cadillac”. The size is important in terms of they need to build more than just large vehicles. I know way too many people who left Cadillac, although they loved their Caddy’s, because they wanted/needed something smaller. Personally, I feel Caddy’ needs a compact rear wheel drive sedan/coupe that is truly a Cadillac and very high on the luxury side. Make it so quiet that it makes you feel it’s extreme quality just from the isolation. Make it ultra loaded. Give it a high powered 4 cly or smaller V6. Style it like a Cadillac should be. It will sell.
Dan,
A smaller ultra lux would be acceptable, but with a V6 as minimum. I don’t think they can build a four that would be smooth enough to justify what you propose. I understand that the bean counters have the final say, and maybe the under 35 crowd doesn’t care, but luxury should equal quiet, smooth and comfortable.
True. I was referring more to the older crowds that used to buy the bigger ones in the past. This was the experience I’ve had over and again. I recall a couple my parents knew for years and they drove Cadillac for as long as I knew them (this was many years ago now). The last car they purchased before giving up driving was a smaller Lexus (yup, they went from a Cadillac history to a Toyota brand car as the last car they ever drove!). I was so upset when I saw them pull up in that shiny new Lexus ES. I asked them why on earth they left Cadillac after so many good years with them. Answer? Cadillac didn’t have a smaller car that worked for them.
Sadly, way too many of these types have already left Cadillac and gone to import brands for this very reason. Most will never come back because they are too old and most of the rest will just stay with what they now have. Oh if only Cadillac would have done the Cimarron correctly back in the 80’s.
@Rick:
They did. No one bought them.
Oh GOD no!!
GM has enough lux trucks with Denali and High country.
So which Chevy pick up they copied this time? If I have the money do I want my expensive Cadillac pick up truck looks like another Chevy truck just with a different logo?
I always love to see all the ideas come forward, but the truth of the matter is that GM and Cadillac need to keep their focus on building products that a) have a practical volume/profit outlook, and b) have a practical volume/profit outlook. No more halo cars (SSR), no more one off’s to meet a NASCAR requirement (Grand Prix 2+2), no more trying to throw in everything ever mentioned in a focus group but is butt ugly (Aztek), no more trying to build answers to questions no one is asking (Envoy XUV w retractable top…). Get it? The bottom line is that if the first pencil business case doesn’t show at least 100K annual volume globally, don’t even waste the time to sketch it.
As for Ultium and all things electric/AV, the rules might be different, but I think with a very different product development and certification (read safety AND emission), the business case economies are based on the components and not the platforms.
I hope GM builds the concept Cadillac convertible XLR. They can’t Lexus outdo them. I am not a Lexus fan but the 500 is the sharpest convertible on the road in America
A full size sedan with American luxury design and not european design like their current models. Bring back the Finns.
I am on my 6th Cadillac since 2005, all cars were great, no problems. My only concern is there was almost no change to the interiors, they are boring. Whoever is in charge of the interiors at Cadillac is lazy! Its 15 years, 6 different Cadillacs, and virtually the same interior.
Like the other reader said. Cadillac needs to return to it’s roots! Start buliding ultra luxury coupes & sedans again, just more exciting! Remember the Coupe Deville? That’s what a first
time Caddy buyer always got! And the Fleetwood or the Eldorado? And ALL Cadillacs sho have a V-8 as std! Offer frt wheel/ all wheel or rear wheel drive Don’t let Lexus, BMW or Mercedes hog that segment! Remember when Cadillac use to own it?!