This Is Not The Cadillac Escalade-V

by Jonathan Lopez
— Nov 4, 2020

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A batch of recent spy shots have been floating around the ‘net lately that some publications claim to show the upcoming Cadillac Escalade-V. However, those publications are unfortunately wrong.

For those who may be unaware, Caddy is cooking up a high-performance version of its flagship SUV. The new hot-to-trot utility vehicle will be called the Cadillac Escalade-V, and is expected come with a supercharged 6.2L Small Block V8 engine similar to the LT4 equipped in the third-gen Cadillac CTS-V.

Output from the new Escalade-V will be rated at a healthy 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, topping the standard Escalade’s 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque by 230 ponies and 190 pound-feet of torque.

Paired with a wider stance, sticky rubber, and sportier suspension settings, the new Cadillac Escalade-V will be quite the performer. However, the model featured in the recent spy shots floating around ‘net is not the Escalade-V. Rather, it’s a leftover prototype testing the all-new 2021 Escalade’s up-and-coming GM Super Cruise semi-autonomous drive feature, all while still wrapped in camo.

While Super Cruise testing doesn’t necessarily mean a vehicle needs a heavy camo wrap, it doesn’t necessitate its removal, either. After all, there are costs associated with removing all those coverings, and at this point, there’s simply no reason to remove it from the Integrated Release Engineering Vehicle (IREV) conducting the tests.

What’s more, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s possible there was no one around to take the camo off before the prototype went out for testing, given the limited availability of some operations.

The big giveaway here can be seen in the corners. The recent batch of spy photos reveal that the prototype is equipped with 22-inch, 14-spoke wheels with Bridgestone Dueler Alenza rubber sized at 275/50R22. The wheels are production-spec rollers off a Luxury or Premium Luxury trim, while the tires are simply too narrow for the up-and-coming Cadillac Escalade-V.

As soon as there’s some real news on the Cadillac Escalade-V, you know where to find it. And don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac Escalade news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.

2021 Cadillac Escalade Photos