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Checkout The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V is the first Cadillac SUV to wear the V-Series badge, and it appears to be the least likely. The humongous Escalade-V, however, begins to make sense as the brand focuses on expanding its high-performance V sub-brand—and on the heels of the launch of the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.
Why not combine your most recognizable product with the V treatment you want to make more recognizable, even if that product is a full-size, three-row SUV that appears to be at odds with V’s athletic aspirations?
The Escalade-V appears to be a regular Escalade with V-Series badges and quad exhaust tips, which comes as no surprise to anyone. The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V rides on unique wheels with high-performance Bridgestone tires and has a black grille and black details on the lower door panels. Big red brake calipers can be seen peeking out from behind those rims, and they’re most likely Brembo. Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension from GM is also expected to be standard.
Yes, the Escalade is massive, to address the elephant in the room. As a V-series, any other smaller, lighter Cadillac SUV would have made more sense. But keep in mind that GM’s chassis engineers are magicians, as evidenced by the excellent handling of Cadillac’s other V-series models. While they’ll have their work cut out for them to make the tall and heavy Escalade dance, we’re excited to see what they come up with.
The big question is what will be under the massive hood of the Escalade-V. We’re expecting the supercharged LT4 V-8 based on the exhaust sounds in a video released by Cadillac. This engine also powers the CT5-V Blackwing sedan, producing 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. In the Escalade-V, those numbers might not be the same—Cadillac could squeeze even more power out of this setup, both in terms of outright horsepower and torque lower in the rev range to help get this beast moving. We’ve heard that by using the 2.6-liter supercharger from the old Corvette ZR1 instead of the 1.7-liter unit from the Blackwing, the Escalade could reach 700 horsepower.
The 10-speed automatic transmission is expected to remain, albeit retuned for snappier shifts and more eager gear selection.
Things should stay pretty much the same on the inside. The V-Series logo is visible on the steering wheel, and it may also appear on the headrests. Only one image of the interior has been released, so we can only assume it will feature more carbon fiber trim and contrast stitching. However, the CT5-V and Chevrolet Corvette have a 38-inch curved OLED dashboard screen, which may include the Performance Traction Management system, which allows the driver to adjust the stability control settings for more performance.
Despite the fact that Cadillac refers to this SUV as a V-Series model, it appears that it will be known as the Escalade-V and not the Escalade-V Blackwing. But all of that information, as well as all of the details, will have to wait until the spring, when Cadillac plans to share more with the world, after which the 2023 Escalade-V is expected to hit dealerships in the second half of this year.
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