The Cadillac Escala concept showed quite a bit of promise when it was initially unveiled in 2016 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. With its sleek, fastback sedan body style, the Escala looked like a perfect jumping-off point for Caddy’s next-generation luxury vehicles. By 2018, the Escala was approved for production, with an anticipated debut in 2021, as GM Authority covered previously. However, despite the excitement and plans, a production version of the Escala never materialized. Now, GM Authority has the inside scoop on why the Cadillac Escala never reached the finish line.
First, some insight into just how close we got to a production-spec Cadillac Escala model. The new sedan was initially intended to serve as Cadillac’s flagship, riding on the same Omega platform (O1) shared with the Cadillac CT6. The Escala also had a program code – O1LL, with O1 indicating the Omega 1 platform, the first L indicating a Long Sedan body style, and the second L indicating the Cadillac brand. This can be compared to the program code used for the Cadillac CT6, O1SL, wherein O1 stands for the Omega 1 platform, S stands for the Regular Length Sedan body style, and L indicates the Cadillac brand.
As a quick aside, it’s worth noting that GM uses the letter C in its program codes to indicate the Chevrolet brand, and as such, L is used for Cadillac.
Critically, GM completed much of the underpinnings intended for use with the new Cadillac Escala production vehicle, and had plans to equip the new sedan with the twin-turbocharged 4.2L V8 LTA Blackwing engine, the same power plant that powered the now-discontinued Cadillac CT6-V. In fact work was already underway on the vehicle execution, interior, and other components, with production slated to take place alongside the CT6 at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant.
Even with all that work and planning, the production-spec Cadillac Escala was still canceled. So what happened? Essentially, GM’s big push into electric vehicles and autonomous vehicle technology.
In fact, it was that very same same push that resulted in the discontinuation of the first-generation Cadillac CT6 in the North American market, while Detroit-Hamtramck was retooled into an EV-only facility and renamed Factory Zero, producing large electric pickups and SUVs based on the GM BT1 platform. What’s more, the 4.2L Blackwing engine was discontinued, as well.
Luckily, Cadillac’s vision for a flagship sedan wasn’t entirely abandoned, and the efforts were eventually folded into the creation of the all-electric Cadillac Celestiq.
Nevertheless, we can’t help but think what could have been. Indeed, the Escala looks good as a fastback, but it’s also quite attractive as a three-box sedan. Unfortunately, the final product never got to the finish line.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Cadillac news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Moving opposite to market trends.
With four model years recommended for purchase.
This example is a former NCRS award winner.
Many automakers oppose right-to-repair laws citing cybersecurity concerns.
Breaking out the spec sheets for a comparison.
View Comments
Will it be the same thing with the 2025 Cadillac Fleetwood Broham Because I am in the market for a new cattle at in 2025 and I would like to own that Fleetwood Delegance So Produce it And STOP PLAYING WITH THE CONSUMER'S...😛
Beautiful car. I can get behind the wheel of my mint white diamond tri-coat with very light platinum interior (no black carpet here) '13 XTS Platinum and pretend.
It's not about selling well, it's about profitability. The Celestiq is expensive, because it's profitable. GM didn't have to spend a lot of money retooling and building production lines because it's hand built.
Something that you have to realize: People here don’t want to hear it. You can throw any fact at them and they’ll say you‘re lying or a cabal of woke EV communists faked the numbers.
Anything to justify their weirdness about EVs and Barra.
The truth of the matter is, luxury is going EV regardless of the gloom and doom in the press and while an Escala production model would have been nice, it likely would have performed only slightly better than the CT6 and would have been yet another costly failure for the brand.
The frustration isn't just about resistance to EVs; it's about the way the transition is being managed. Cadillac fans take pride in having models that can compete with the likes of the S-Class, 7/8 Series, and LS. The issue isn't an inherent dislike of EVs but rather the sense that the development of ICE vehicles is being sacrificed without a thoughtful transition plan. Instead of gradually building an infrastructure that supports both ICE and EV vehicles, Cadillac seems to have decided that fewer EV customers are worth more than their loyal ICE base. This puts the brand in a precarious position—now they must succeed with EVs because they've alienated their ICE customers. It’s like watching your favorite brand turn its back on you, only to risk fading away if their EV strategy doesn't pan out.
What have they sacrificed in the ICE realm?
Both Ford and GM have a good amount of ICE models still coming to market.
The real issue here is that Ford, GM, and Stellantis’ US brands killed their passenger cars not in favor of EVs but in favor of trucks and SUVs which have higher profit margins than sedans and hatchbacks of all sizes.
Essentially all their crossovers. They've done little to no updates to the XT4, 5, and 6 in favor of developing their EV counterparts. After 2026, there will be no more Cadillac crossovers.
The article suggesting the Escala was abandoned due to "GM’s big push into electric vehicles and autonomous vehicle technology" is another. The alpha platform is not getting any updates, if Cadillac makes a new sedan, it is likely to be EV, the CT4 and 5 have reached the end of their development.
Both the Alpha and Omega platforms were praised for how they handled, but they are no longer being developed.
What have they sacrificed? Did you not read this very article?
We were told the CT6 was out because nobody was interested in it, despite consumers providing ample evidence to the contrary. They killed it for EVs nobody wants.
Put you mask back on and get back into your safe space.
The truth is the automotive industry let the government bully them into pushing EV's prematurely.
The consumer pushed back. Too expensive, range unreliable and recharging infrastructure not ready. The CEO’s proved to be puppets of the state. America is disappointed in our government and the industry for this massive blunder.
So many commenters, and it seems like almost no one gets it. EVs were not mandated by government. It is true that the government incented automakers to do more with EVs, but no one put a gun to the head of the automakers. The automakers have a lot of brain power and engineering prowess and they recognized the eventual promise of EVs. Yes they cost more today and they have limitations, but if you take a long view you realize how much more can be made on EVs than on ICE vehicles. EVs have many fewer parts, will cost less to put together and will be accepted by consumers once the infrastructure exists and the prices for batteries come down. Yes, it will be a tough few years, but in the long run, the automakers will be laughing all the way to the bank. They understand this even if you guys don't.
You are correct, I don't get it: I don't get why the Government is subsidizing EV vehicles with my and your tax money instead of letting the market decide which vehicle to buy. As far as the price of batteries coming down, the Chinese will decide when the price of batteries comes down since we will likely be buying most of the batteries from them. You say it will be a "tough few years" then everything will be ok?? I'm retired and almost 80, why is the hell should wait a few tough years for Carmakers to get their act together? I've paid my dues already. My wife wants a new car, and we can afford it. I like the car in this article but likely we will replace her 2019 Cady with an S class EV MB, without black carpet and one that I can safely park in my garage with fear of it burning my house down.
OOPS! That would be an S class ICE MB that I can safely park in my garage Without fear of burning my house down. Old age is kickin' my butt.
I don't think you get it. The western governments HAVE mandated a shift to EV's. Have you not seen the unattainable roadmap on CAFE numbers. The only way to not pay an enormous fine for not meeting CAFE is EV. So not exactly a gun, just a fine of billions. One article I saw quoted gm is looking at 6.5B thru 2032 with the current CAFE roadmap. And engineering may or may not get battery prices down. What happens if Li, Co or Ni producers pull a 1970's style oil embargo on battery ingredients? Chile has already hinted it wants more for its Li and Cu.
I see you've never heard of CAFE, or the $146m in penalties GM recently had to pay, or the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of credits carmakers like GM have to buy from Tesla to keep selling profitable ICEs. No, it's not technically mandated, just so they (and apologists like you) can claim it isn't... it's just financially impossible to avoid.
Close, but FCA alone paid over 2B from 2019-2021 to tesla. It is not hundreds of millions, it is billions to tens of billions.
That Escala is The Most Beautiful Cadillac of modern time. I’m tired of Mary…she killed something far more attractive than and high end German sedan…ever!!!!!
Me and my son seen the Escala ar the 2018 chicago auto show ! We were wowed ! We got to talk to some gm corporate then camped out at the display for e few ! Voted best concept vehicle of the show that year also !
Really a shame. I remember thinking it was the best looking Cadillac sedan concept I’d seen in decades. The proportions looked completely production possible so that got me interested.
Alas, another letdown.
This is a really Beautiful vehicle but is a shame Cadillac and GM never decided to produce it just like their other impressive concept cars that they’ve came out with including Buick. I like the style of this way more than the Celestiq that’s currently out. The price would have been much more reasonable than the Celestiq which most of the public won’t be able to afford with its $340K+ price tag. The Celestiq interior is Amazing but I’m not big on the design or the price. Cadillac and Buick have made some of the most impressive and most beautiful concept cars out of All the GM brands and they don’t consider putting any of them into production. I really liked the Cadillac CT6 and Buick LaCrosse. GM should have kept the Omega Platform and should have debuted a New Cadillac CT6 or Fleetwood and Buick LaCrosse or Park Avenue Flagship Sedan instead. Chevy should have done the same with the Impala. I still like the Large Luxury Flagship Sedans and plan to get a Used Buick Lacrosse, Lucerne, LeSabre, Park Avenue or a Cadillac CT6 or XTS when I’m ready to buy a car. I’ll never buy an EV and see no need for an SUV or CUV unless I have a family someday and need the extra space. It’s a terrible business decision for GM and Ford to drop All of their Passenger cars. Not everyone wants or needs an SUV or CUV or Truck. Hopefully Passenger cars will make a comeback in the future. I don’t like Mary Barra and I’m sick and tired of what she’s doing to GM and her business decisions by cutting passenger cars and making Everything Electric and All SUV and CUV and outsourcing vehicle production for lower operating costs to China, Korea and Mexico and not investing in building their vehicles and parts and components here in the USA and Canada. I’ll Always buy an older model Cadillac or Buick sedan made in the USA or Canada instead of an EV.
Has GM sold any of this overpriced super ugly hearse mobile aka Cadillac Celestiq? GM claimed production started in January 2024.