When we last saw the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V it was a classic case of Cadillac reps giving us half the picture with the Escalade shining in the spotlight but without any information regarding what kind of engine would be under the hood of the souped-up utility. Cadillac claimed that this month would be when we get all of the answers, and it turns out the wait was worth it with the Escalade-V being the first Cadillac to receive hardware from the Blackwing performance sedan lineup.
Escalade-v Flaps Its Wings For Performance
With the V moniker, it was initially safe to assume that the Escalade would follow the same script that we saw in the CT4 and CT5-V models with a light dusting of performance upgrades that would make it slightly faster but without going overboard. The addition of the Blackwing engine though raises the stakes up by a significant degree with the setup allowing this model to produce 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. While this engine should not be confused for a separate engine of the same name that once powered the axed CT6 flagship sedan, it’s closely related to the CT5’s V8, Cadillac engineers added a bigger 2.65-liter supercharger, forged aluminum heads, an aluminum headlock, and even titanium valves. All of these upgrades radically transform the Escalade’s character and allow it to surge its way to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with launch control engaged.
After you pass 60 mph, the Escalade-V still has plenty to deliver with Cadillac claiming that the SUV is capable of completing the quarter-mile in 12.74 seconds at 110 mph. The automatic transmission is carried over from lesser Slade models but we were told that it has been tweaked to handle the extra power and torque that this model would be bringing to the road.
A Chassis With Moves To Match
Along with all the fireworks under the hood, the Escalade-V’s chassis was also reworked to handle the rigors of performance SUV driving. The steering and suspension are sharper and the magnetic shocks in the suspension are paired with a supple air suspension system. The front brakes are equipped with six-piston Brembo calipers and the Escalade can still tow 7,000 lbs when needed
Slip inside the V and you would be forgiven if you thought you were in a Platinum model with this version coming with some of the stylish appointments that define its place in the luxury SUV ranks. That includes full leather upholstery, OLED displays, several types of wood accents, and the novel 36-speaker premium audio system.
When Can I Buy One?
The 2023 Cadillac Escalade will begin making its way to dealerships this summer with a base model starting at $149,990 before destination and any optional extras. That may seem like alot of change to fork over at first glance, but this Slade is the wildest that GM has made yet and is paired with a V8 that manages to outshine even the 6.2 liter in the CT5-V Blackwing. That’s a potent combination in our eyes, and look for the Escalade-V to make a splash in the luxury performance SUV segment.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.