GM Authority spy photographers recently captured a larger all-electric Cadillac crossover prototype undergoing testing. Set to slot in above the Cadillac Lyriq, is it possible this prototype is actually the upcoming Cadillac Escalade electric vehicle? GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft explores the possibility in the following exclusive video.
For those readers who may have missed it, the larger all-electric Cadillac crossover prototype featured here contains a number of noteworthy exterior details that are sure to pique the interest of anyone excited about the prospect of a new, larger Caddy EV utility model. Despite the body-hugging camouflage, we spot things like vertically oriented headlights and taillights (both of which are placeholder units), a small lower intake in the fascia, and a more upright, taller stance similar to what one may expect from a more traditional SUV model. There’s also a set of flush door handles, as well as a more generous rear overhang that looks to double down on the model’s utilitarian nature.
This is just a sprinkling of the exterior details on display with this camouflaged Cadillac EV prototype, and Alex goes over more of the exterior features in detail in the video. But how does it all tie into the upcoming Cadillac Escalade electric vehicle?
As Alex points out, the size of this prototype suggests that it could offer upwards of three rows of seating, although it does bear mentioning that the prototype is smaller than the current ICE-based, regular-length Escalade. The taillights, however, are a big cue, as this prototype shows some long, vertically oriented units that are very much in tune with the taillight design on the ICE-based Escalade.
Cadillac EV prototype
ICE-based fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade
So what about the wheelbase and overall vehicle? Isn’t the new prototype too short to be the Escalade electric model? Well, as Alex points out, a recent statement made by GM President Mark Reuss seems to suggest that GM is toying with different wheelbase lengths and vehicle sizing for its full-size SUV nameplates as it goes electric. This could mean that the Cadillac Escalade electric vehicle may very well be included in this.
Of course, there’s a lot to say about all this, so make sure to hit play and check out the full video right here:
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Comments
I’d guess 125k-135k. Crazy money. How many 100k evs will there be? No way market can absorb many of them. See to lucid. Can’t sell them all.
Seems XT6 sized to me.
gm had a history of trying to sell a large number of relatively expensive vehicles back in the 1950’s and 60’s and it caught up with them, I’m not going to be surprised if history repeats itself, but I can be fair by stating that perhaps some of the astronomical prices on some the current vehicles will drop soon, to an extent, gm may not have no other option.
I’ll stick with my Specialty Vehicle Engineering built Esky. No it does not get 25mpg but it sure fuels up ez, sounds good, looks good and many SPG…smiles per gallon
This should compliment the Lyric well. The Lyriq much more like a car vs an XT6.
Think on this Cadillac may just come out ahead with this game.
Cadillac sales for 2022 were 134,726, Tesla selling less than stylish cars at the same price points as Cadillac sold 491,000. This includes all their quality problems too.
I got to spend time in the Lyriq and it s a ver nice car and much nicer than the Tesla. If they can match models GM should do well attracting new buyers.
This low volume high margin vehicle is entering a small and crowded market, but provides an aspirational vehicle for Cadillac. This will have no impact on Tesla sales as the buyers tend to be quite different – vast majority come from Honda/Toyota, while Cadillac buyers tend to be prior GM owners. As far as interiors go – its a personal preference thing whether you like Tesla minimalist modern and big screen UI or traditional interior layout with big screen and redundant buttons, etc.
Can we get confirmation if this is the XT6 replacement or the Slade EV.
Might be the same thing.
I remember when we first heard and saw a concept drawing of a full size crossover during the XT6 launch event. It was no mistaking it’s size. I don’t see us getting just one model.
I think that was a Lyriq preview.
Are we sure this is not the MCE of the XT6? It has all the same proportions of the XT6 although an MCE would not be 100% camoflouged. The XT6 needs the same refresh as the XT4.
You can look and tell it’s on a EV platform.
The position of the front axle relative to the windshield tells me this is a different platform. XT6 may get a facelift or even a redesign, but I suspect it might be exclusively for China.
It’s something in camo anyway 😉
Don’t think this is an Escalade IQ because this model does not have running or fixed boards on the side and this model is a tad bit bigger than the LYRIQ. The IQ Slade should be similar in size with a curved understated design like the gas model.
Is it possible that this could be one of the future Escalade models for the so-called subrand under Escalade? Possibly but doubt it.
But I would not be surprise based on the Motrolix video there could be several wheelbases for the Escalade IQ or be a more lavished version competitive to the high-end Range Rover above the current V model.
I’d bet that this is the XT6 replacement and not the Escalade IQ. The one shown last year smaller than Lyriq is the XT4 replacement. Lumistiq, Symboliq, Vistiq, Acendiq or whatever they’ll be called. With Lyriq replacing the XT5, the two crossovers bigger and smaller than Lyriq, the Celestiq and Escalade IQ, the Cadillac line will be fully EV (other than the ICE Escalade). This is of course after the CT4/5 has run it’s production course. I really hope they too get an EV replacement in a statement coupe and sedan to replace them both.
Agreed. I’m guessing this will be a 3 row BEV3 XT6 ish EV slotted above the Lyriq.
I’m guessing that the Escalade IQ will be on the LWB BT1 platform with more in common to the Hummer EV or Sierra EV.
It’s the Ascendiq(XT6 sized EV)… 1st you Ascend, then Escalade. All about rising to the top.
Perhaps the Escalade EV won’t be based on a pickup truck, as is the case with the ICE version.
GM is building or going to build in EV, a Hummer Truck, Hummer SUV, Chevy Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Sierra, Yukon, and a yet to be announced smaller Hummer Truck, all on the Ultium Chassis, and Motor Portfolio, and in house batteries. In that segment, with those models, GM is leveraging Scale to dominate that market. That includes Against F150. Similar to their ICE business, GM is the largest ICE Truck producer in the world, and has 70% share of the profitable large ICE SUV segment. Those two segments fuel GM ‘s profits and provide the cash to invest in their new businesses. Right now, the average cost of a pick up is more than the average cost of a Mercedes Benz. When you talk about an EV Escalade in the $100,000+ price range, there is a market for vehicles in that segment. Escalade has a presence. Very successful product. I think it likely, when an EV Version of Escalade is available, they will conquest buyers and grow the Escalade franchise. GM could make it a sub brand. It is being considered. They will offer entry level EV’s at the other end, and all the way thru. The total portfolio will be diversified, with many high end products to contribute to overall margins. GM has an extremely thoughtful plan to dominate the EV business in the US as they do ICE. They began years ago closing operations through the world, that weren’t profitable with little or no promise of turning the operations around. They created an entity that generated much better profits while not squandering them on a bucket of losers. GM streamlined, became a much different company. It was generating profits it used to only dream about. They positioned themselves to be a major force in EV. GM had an EV Truck for sale in 1912. They had EV1. Thru EV1 one of their Engineers concluded that to make EV’s in volume a different chassis should be designed. They came up with the skateboard Chassis over 25 years ago. Tesla uses a skateboard Chassis, and others do and will. Soon, the market will receive a portfolio of EV’s that result from years of effort and thoughtful engineering. I believe they will be well received.