Back in February, we reported on a 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV prototype that was spied prowling the streets of Detroit with an odd-looking blue crest badge fixed to its rear end. We promised to get to the bottom of what this weird 2021 Escalade badge was all about, and now, we’re delivering on that promise with an update.
Blue badge on 2021 Cadillac ESV prototype
Before we get to the latest news on the blue 2021 Escalade badge, a little backstory is in order. The images you see here were captured in February after the debut of the all-new, fifth-generation Cadillac Escalade in California. Curiously, the debut did not include the extended-body Cadillac Escalade ESV. A little over a week after, we captured this prototype Escalade ESV testing in Detroit.
Although the SUV didn’t have any camo to cover up the body panels, it did have an odd Cadillac badge with blue filler colors. Some thought that the blue 2021 Escalade badge was the monochromatic badge offered on with the latest 2021 model year while others thought it was some kind of electric model.
As it turns out, the answer is much simpler than that.
According to sources familiar with the development of the fifth-generation Escalade, the blue 2021 Escalade badge we captured was in fact just a regular badge with some blue tape on it. At the time the photos were taken, the new 2021 Escalade ESV had yet to be officially revealed, so the testers simply taped over the colors, given the rest of the body didn’t need any camo.
So while the new 2021 Cadillac ESV wasn’t an officially announced product just yet, it didn’t need the full camouflage treatment, given it was testing after the regular-length 2021 Escalade had made its debut. Nevertheless, the prototype still came with some small blue tape for the rear 2021 Escalade badge.
That means those theories about some special edition model with a blue badge appear to be off-track. Nevertheless, would you like to see new colors for the 2021 Escalade badge? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe to Cadillac Society for more Cadillac Escalade news and around-the-clock Cadillac news coverage.
Felix
I would like to see the wreath and crest ducks and all. Bring it back the leave it alone. Enough with this ever-changing badge. By the way I know those things were not ducks but cant remember what they were called.
Johnls_39
Merlots (spelling?).
Johnls_39
Blacked out logo and Escalade name plate would be cool, IMO.
Christopher Cummings
*Merlets* I’d like to see ’em back, too!
Leonard Constance Jr
It takes time, sometimes years to change a badge or logo, and lots of money before it’s all said and done. I’ve talked to a few retired Cadillac designers in the past, and they were very upset when the Wreath and Crest was changed to the present design. They said it took years to establish a logo and branding image which they felt should have been left alone for heritage and historical reasons. They felt the new, young guys wanted to make their “new statement”. Other main luxury cars have kept their logos forever, and I tend to agree Cadillac should also, although I like the new elongated logo. With all that said, I feel the logo is the identifiable theme that makes a Cadillac a Cadillac, and should be left alone.