The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V opens a new high-performance chapter for the luxury SUV nameplate, offering customers all the usual backside coddling expected, plus a heady dose of supercharged performance. Which left us wondering – what if GM decided to build a V-Series variant of the Cadillac XT6? What would this hypothetical Cadillac XT6-V bring to the table?
From the start, we should probably mention that presently GM doesn’t have any plans to actually build this hypothetical Cadillac XT6-V. Rather, we thought it would be an interesting exercise to see what such a vehicle might look like.
Let’s start up front, where we added a revised fascia treatment with a new lower bumper design. The restyled lower bumper incorporates a splitter-like element with black trim and reshaped air intakes, as well as a black mesh grille insert. The black mesh grille treatment is repeated in the upper grille and next to the vertical lighting bits as well.
In the corners, our hypothetical Cadillac XT6-V rides on some rather large alloy wheels, as inspired by the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. The rollers get a split-spoke design and are wrapped in sticky Michelin performance rubber, while under the wheels, we’d expect to find plus-sized Brembo brakes as well. Black trim abounds, as seen lower in the body lines along the side skirts, as well as the side window surrounds and the roof rails to boot. Don’t forget the V-Series badge on the front fender.
Moving around to the rear, our hypothetical Cadillac XT6-V takes a nod from the Escalade-V with a diffuser-esque lower bumper treatment housing a quartet of exhaust pipes, each of which is squared-off and mounted in the rear bumper corners. The taillights receive a dark inner graphic, while a subtle spoiler lip is added to the hatch just below the upper glass.
As for the greasy bits, our hypothetical Cadillac XT6-V would cradle the twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 LGY gasoline engine, the same ‘six found in the Cadillac CT5-V. Under the hood of the CT5-V, the LGY is rated at 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the most-powerful XT6 currently on offer is equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 LGX gasoline engine, rated at 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque.
Complementary upgrades would include revised suspension and a few performance cues in the cabin as well.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac XT6 news, Cadillac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Why not the 3.6 turbo 6 found in the ct4 black wing? A little bit more giddy-up
3.6TT was in the XTS. Not sure why they couldn’t just drop this in…
Here lies the problem. I don’t see the drive train holding up.
This is a transverse vehicle and none of it was built for major torque.
Add to the the TT v6 was never built for transverse fit.
The best you could expect it a better tuned 3.6 transverse engine as Cadillac is not going to re engineer the vehicle for a low production model.
It would not take much as my Denali will run a 14 sec 1/4 mile.
Thank you C8.R.
You would think that a site calling itself “Authority” would know the 3.0 was not designed for transverse duty.
Well to be fair it has not been used in this form.
They did use it in England in the Opel but it was $70,000 5 years ago. It also is out of production.
Megeebee, showing that your reasoning abilities are very limited.
To start: this is a rendering meaning it’s imaginative and represents what could be. They can say that it has a big block under the hood and it would still be okay because it’s all imaginative.
Now, you can argue whether a big block is realistic or not, and that brings us to the next point: how do you know “the 3.0 was not designed for transverse duty”?
I happen to know that this engine can be used in longitudinal or transverse applications, so you’re wrong right off the bat.
What you really meant was that it has not yet been used in a transverse configuration. That much is true. But to say that the engine was not designed to be placed transversely is completely false.
Looks like you owe GMA an apology. Man enough?
Anything is possible physically if you pay enough to engineer it,
The trouble is for all they would sell the engine videos is not fiscally practical.
mercedes has a sport line, so does audi, so does bmw and now, hyundai and toyota are expanding their performance line. but everytime there is a rumor of gm doing something to expand their performance line, it is canned for fucking subcompact 4 cylinders, or in the “trailblazer’s” or encore gx case, a f*cking 3 cylinder. gm is quickly becoming one of the most boring brands out there.
the only question is whats under the hood because the outside and inside will be the same as the normal XT6. Can’t people people are buying this V’s that are killing the history of this brand. Thanks GM
I’m not quite aure i agree that the transverse engine setup couldn’t handle the torque of a turbo V6 particularly the 3.0 in the CT5.. The XTS was also a transverse engine setup and it handled the torque of a 400 hp turbo V6. However, certain modifications to the tranny and suspension would need to be made. We need an engineer in here to comment. In addition to the turbo V6 I think we’ll see a new interior like in the new Escalade and Lyrique.
The rear drive shaft alone would not take the force. I own one and it is not like the Escalade where it mostly was a bolt in swap.
If Cadillac would have put the XT6 on the old CT6 platform, we would have this.
Why doesn’t the XT6 have Super Cruise? I have been trying to buy one for 6 months and no one has it. What is wrong with GM? They put Super cruise in their cars. Even a Chevy gets Suoer Cruise. Why not a Cadillac XT6?
Because it’s a 6-series, it needs to use the “blackwing” engine…ie the 4.2TT w/500+ hp…last used on the CT6…that would certainly get my attention…
Then, make reservations online for a fixed price (msrp), and sell them direct, with delivery at whatever Caddy dealer you want.
After all, if we’re going to dream up something, let’s not limit ourselves…
Why not Just use the power plant from the old XTSV and tune it.
Too big for this engine bay.
Great concept. I would definitely think very hard and probably end up purchasing this vehicle. I would also increase the width of the rear tires for better traction, relocate the rear wing and move it on top of the rear body behind the satellite antenna rather than below the rear windshield wiper, and ask for one of the powerplants mentioned above that has the most reliability under stress, cuz I would be applying that stress…:}
If you can’t have an SS from Chevy, at least get a V from Cadillac…:}
Being a long time fan of Cadillacs in general we all can agree that when Cadillac brings the power it’s great. I believe the people would like to see more power in the xt6 for Street not traversing. I have had my eye on the xt6 for a future purchase having an option that will provide more power would make the XT6 more attractive,in a Cadillac is not a Denali.
As an owner of a 2022 XT-6 premium, I find that 310 hp is fine for it’s purposes. Sure, my C7 has greater acceleration, but that’s what it’s made for. I don’t really understand why a few folks want their CUV to be a drag race machine. Drive a CUV like a wild person, you’ll wind up wheels up.
Meh
This would’ve been an amazing prospect if only GM had used OMEGA for the XT6.
Oh just stop it, the XT6 was DOA from the start just like every XT model from Cadillac.
DOA… while laughing all the way to the bank.
I get your point from a product standpoint, but don’t mistake poor product attributes with business success.
In 2021, the XT4, XT5, and XT6 totaled 60,000 US sales. The BMX X3, X5, and X7 totaled almost 160,000 US sales. I don’t see how anyone can consider the XT line a success. I’m sure the XT6 turns a profit, but that hardly makes it a success.
Stranger things happen… After years of being behind the hp wars Cadillac finally has the supercharged Denali. Price is insignificant if someone wants a little soul under the hood.
Cadillac has turbo powerplants in their inventory that can easily be retrofitted in the 6 and adding a drive train capable of handling up to 500 hp and 500 ft lbs of torque.
European car manufacturers are reaping the benefits. I see lots of Mercedes, BMWs, Maseratis, Range Rovers, Porsches, Audis, Lamborghinis, and our own Jeep Firehawk.
Why not…400+ hp is not a race car, its excitement. If Pontiac was still around they would have built something like this.
I was very disappointed in the chassis dynamics under acceleration. I haven’t felt torque steer like that for years–and this was of course the 3.6 awd. I highly doubt this platform can handle any more torque unless dramatic upgrades are figured out.
ITS A HYPOTHETICAL ENJOY THE IDEA!
SLAP A V8 IN THE THING AND IMAGINE THE IDEA I PROMISE LESS THE 1% OF YOU ARE ENGINEERS.
Please make the XTS6 V!!!!
Ill be first in line!
GM needs to build this vehicle!
what are the wheel & tire sizes ??