Way back in May of 2021, Cadillac Society spied a Cadillac Escalade-V prototype undergoing testing on public roads. Now, we’ve caught another one, but this time we have video of the upcoming high-performance SUV under wide-open-throttle, allowing us to really hear just how mean the Escalade-V will sound under heavy acceleration.
The vehicle in question is an extended-length ESV variant and features a longer wheelbase than the regular Escalade and therefore 1.7 inches of more legroom in the third row, along with 16 cubic feet more cargo capacity behind the third row and 21.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row.
With that in mind, watch the driver stand on the accelerator pedal to make a right-hand turn. The Cadillac Escalade-V handles it like a champ, whipping around the 90-degree turn with minimal observable body roll. The sound of the tires gripping the pavement is evident under the heavy acceleration, but they never completely break loose, maintaining solid contact with the asphalt thanks to the SUV’s four-wheel-drive system.
Once on the straightaway, the Escalade-V settles down on its haunches nicely, while the nose rears skyward. There’s a substantial amount of squat, especially for a vehicle that size.
The exhaust note is nothing short of beautiful, letting loose a low, aggressive snarl from its quad exhaust outlets. The exhaust outlets featured on this particular prototype aren’t representative of what’s going to make it to production, as Cadillac Society has learned that production models will boast four black trapezoidal exhaust tips, same as the 2022 Cadillac Blackwing models.
If you recognize that this Cadillac Escalade-V prototype sounds similar to a Blackwing super sedan, then you’re right. The high-performance Escalade-V and Escalade-ESV will both be powered by the supercharged 6.2L V8 engine (production code LT4), the same powerhouse found under the hood of the CT5-V Blackwing, where it’s rated at 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque.
At this time, it’s not clear what the exact output of the Cadillac Escalade-V’s engine will be, but it will likely be slightly different than that of the Blackwing. However, sources have told us that the high-performance SUV will have 640 horses at minimum. Cadillac’s 10-speed automatic transmission will transfer all that power to the road.
The Escalade-V will also feature plenty of high-performance upgrades to the chassis, including a special version of the Magnetic Ride Control tuned for high-performance driving. We also expect the Escalade-V to feature interior and exterior styling elements not currently found in “regular” models of the Escalade or Escalade ESV.
Escalade-V prototypes have been spied testing on public roads over the past few months, meaning its development is well underway. The Cadillac Escalade-V is expected to launch sometime in late 2022 as a 2023 model year vehicle.
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