The new 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is one wild machine, stuffing the full-size luxury SUV nameplate with more than 680 horsepower to create a high-performance thrill ride wrapped in backside-coddling Caddy goodness. Funny enough, GM was actually considering something even crazier at one point – a 16-cylinder Cadillac Escalade.
In a recent interview, Escalade Product Manager David Schiavone spoke with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft about why a high-performance Cadillac Escalade-V model wasn’t introduced sooner. Check out that article for more information. However, during the same interview, Schiavone also mentioned that, over time, Cadillac looked at quite a few things with regard to the Escalade nameplate, including something perhaps a bit unexpected:
“At one point we even talked about a 16-cylinder Escalade,” Schiavone told GM Authority.
Obviously, GM currently doesn’t offer a 16-cylinder engine, and hasn’t since 1940. However, that’s not to say that such a configuration hasn’t been on Cadillac’s radar, as evidenced by the Cadillac Sixteen concept from 2003.
Cadillac Sixteen Concept
For those who may not remember, the Cadillac Sixteen concept was equipped with a 32-valve, naturally aspirated 13.6L V16 based on the GM LS architecture, and was said to be capable of producing 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque.
Unfortunately, the Cadillac Sixteen remained nothing more than a concept, while the idea of a 16-cylinder Cadillac Escalade never really even got any traction at all. However, the fact that GM is now offering the Cadillac Escalade-V is an impressive achievement in and of itself.
The main party piece is the supercharged 6.2L V8 LT4 gasoline engine, which is rated at 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. This is the same powerplant found under the hood of the third-generation Cadillac CTS-V, Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, Chevy Camaro ZL1, and C7 Corvette Z06. Cradled by the Escalade-V, the supercharged ‘eight catapults the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, with the quarter mile is completed in 12.74 seconds at 110 mph.
Not too bad for a full-size luxury SUV, eh?
Under the skin, the Cadillac Escalade-V rides on the GM T1 platform, while production takes place at the GM Arlington plant in Texas.
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Comments
A V16 engine would need a longer hood line in the Escalade.
It depends on the size of the block. If they used small cylinders, it could fit. It would not have a huge displacement, but that’s true of many V-12s, which had less CID or fewer cc’s than big-block American V-8s.
There is a difference of talking about it and have a business case for it which the latter never happened and it was just talk. At one point, they were testing the second generation Escalade with the XV12 engine and never saw the light of day.
I could not imagine the previous and current Escalades with a V12 and V16 models which lack little attention to details like the second row seats lacking the executive package, no rear window second row passenger power sunshades and motorized headrests for all seats.
If Cadillac wants to do a fun project, use the IQ model or subsequent model of the Escalade and produce an Art Deco model highly customizable similar to the CELESTIQ with recommended attention to details mentioned in the second paragraph. I rather see that model and I do believe the Escalade still have equity to go further upmarket even further. Perhaps more so than Range Rover.
The V16 would have been interesting, but only with a displacement of up to 8.0L. One should really consider whether the engines can be made smaller in displacement, but not the cylinders.
My favorite engines are the I-3, I-5, V8, and V12 in the list below.
Examples of N/A or Turbo or Biturbo or Supercharger:
Inline 3 – 1.0L
Inline-4 – 1.5L
Inline 5 – 2.0L
Inline-6 / V6 – 2.5L
V8 – 3.0L
V10 – 4.0L
V12 – 5.0L
V16 – 6.0L