CADILLAC ESCALADE EV DETAILS DISCLOSED

General Motors undoubtedly rocked the electric truck market when they announced the GMC Hummer EV during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show last month. The return of the long deplored nameplate combined with claims of 11,500 pound-feet of torque was enough to grab even the slightest car fan’s attention. With GM’s plans to have the GMC Hummer be the first vehicle of its kind to hit the market later this year, we are starting to get more information about the gas-guzzler gone green. Just as exciting however is the fact that we now know there will also be an electric Cadillac Escalade coming on this platform as well.

A report last year initially hinted that a Cadillac Escalade EV was coming, and has been further corroborated by our own sources. It really isn’t too surprising that Cadillac will be getting their own version of the GMC Hummer EV. The electric Escalade was teased to media and investors during a special event this week. No photos were allowed.

The brand is starting its electric portfolio by launching their first ever EV, the Cadillac Lyriq crossover, some time next month. The GMC Hummer EV is slated to break cover shortly after that in May, at which point we may learn more about the Cadillac version.

The electric Escalade is still a few years out from hitting the market, so it will give plenty of breathing room for the all-new 2021 model, which is launching with a 6.2L V8 gasoline and 3.0L Duramax diesel engine.

What we do know is that the SUV will utilize GM’s new 800-volt Ultium battery pack complete with 350 kW fast-charging capability. Designed for Level 2 and DC fast charging, the Ultium batteries in the GMC Hummer should offer up to 400 miles of range. GM says that the batteries were designed to be stacked either vertically or horizontally inside a pack, which allows them greater flexibility when it comes to packaging needs. Combine this battery tech with quoted performance figures of 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 mph sprint of just 3.0 seconds, and the GM’s electric SUV architecture is appealing indeed.

The Hummer EV is slated to be produced at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, which is also coincidentally where the electric Escalade was rumored to go into production. This might be the best piece of evidence to suggest that this GMC Hummer-based Cadillac will indeed wear the Escalade nameplate. For know though, just know a full-size Cadillac EV will soon be joining the fight for EV supremacy.