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Why The Cadillac Escalade-V Didn’t Come To Market Sooner

With a supercharged V8 heart and performance goodies galore, the Cadillac Escalade-V is a dramatic departure from tradition for the luxury SUV nameplate. The question is, why didn’t GM offer the Cadillac Escalade-V sooner?

During an interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, Escalade Product Manager David Shiavonne was asked why the luxury brand decided to do the Cadillac Escalade-V now.

“So as you follow things in the industry, things are always coming and going. There’s no doubt that the V-Series has been a big story for Cadillac and that our sedans are track capable. That’s been the main story and the main push,”  Shiavonne  told GM Authority. “Then up until recently we were looking at other variants, just like we were being clear that we wouldn’t call the Escalade a track-capable vehicle. Will people take it on the track? You know they will, but everything was just coming into alignment with Cadillac strategy and how the Blackwing and other V’s have settled in.”

“This was just the right time for Escalade to put out a V,” Shiavonne added.

Indeed, with the success of the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, which are offered as Cadillac’s most track-capable production models to date, the performance angle seems to be working. However, GM Authority also asked Shiavonne if the brand ever considered a performance variant of the previous K2-based Cadillac Escalade, which preceded the current GM T1-based generation.

“I would be lying if I said we never discussed it or thought about it back then,” Shiavonne responded.

General Motors officially pulled the sheets on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V in January, blessing the SUV with the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine, rated at 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. Output is routed through the GM 10-speed automatic transmission.

Complementary upgrades include more-aggressive styling, Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, Air Ride Suspension, and big Brembo brakes. Production takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. lol classic BS. No one actually buys that reason/excuse right?

    Reply
  2. Q: Why didn’t the Escalade V come to market sooner?
    A: We thought about it.

    Really?? You “thought about it” for over a decade?? The aftermarket thought about, too – for about five minutes – and then they built it.

    Reply
  3. The reason was the money was going to EV and the car V series first,

    Even GM can’t do it all at once.

    Reply
    1. And there’s the story of GM…sinking billions in development costs on products that are undesirable (EV’s) and/or among dying markets (sedans) while ignoring the low hanging fruit, parts bin opportunity that (finally!) became the Escalade-V.

      Reply
    2. Yes they could have. They could have easily done it in 2014 for little R&D efforts and well before large sums were being injected into EV and also clear of bankruptcy. Same goes for a high performance Silverado.

      Reply
  4. Does the Escalade V include a trip to Spring Mountain?

    Reply
  5. gm has always been slow to market and seldom a leader. This Escalade V is a no-brainer. It will sell out. Cadillac has a winner in Escalade. V should have come years ago.
    The battle for PROFITABLE EVs and overall EV operations is going to be epic. Probably more casualties than successful companies. Production costs , range and quality will be deciders.
    We own a Tesla and it is their game to lose. Right now they have no real competition and their quality is average at best. We love having an EV. In 2024 we will be looking for a new EV. We should have many choices which is good.

    Reply
  6. I read that they were doing one on the K2 platform and pulled the plug the last minute. If approved, it might went on sale back in ’19-’20. But instead, we got the Sport Edition in place of it.

    Reply
  7. IMHO, GM presented the most expensive Cadillac ever (with gas engine) just to push EVs – it’s more expensive than EVs

    They could have presented it long ago, GMT900 Escalade V could have become a legend, but never existed.

    Aldo GM dropped LS427/570 couple months before – it was the best GM’s IC engine – LS7 with wet sump and without all LS7’s weak spots

    GM obviously destroying their ICE heritage to push EVs to the top and have more profits, no carry about people and their needs

    Reply

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