CADILLAC ESCALADE IQ: NAME OF UPCOMING LUXURY ELECTRIC SUV TAKES SHAPE

Earlier this week we told you about trademark discoveries made in Europe that clued us into future models from Cadillac. Documents were found within the UK Intelectual Property Office that pointed towards three new models from the brand: Cadillac Vistiq, Cadillac Lumistiq, and Cadillac Escalade IQL.

Of the three trademarks, the only one that could be discerned with certainty was the Cadillac Escalade IQL moniker. It would seem the brand is simply tacking on the now pro forma -IQ suffix to indicate electrification of the longstanding Escalade name in an effort to retain the cultural cachet the full-size SUV has acquired since it first arrived in 1999. The Escalade has also been the historic brand’s most successful selling model during that time, enjoying the youngest, wealthiest and most diverse customer of the entire Cadillac portfolio. Something I’m sure no one is interested in messing with.

We wondered if the Cadillac Escalade IQL trademark indicated the presence of a planned extended-length variant, similar to the relationship the current Escalade shares with the Escalade ESV. Meaning there could also be a regular-length version, ostensibly dubbed the Cadillac Escalade IQ. Today we can tell you could turns to should as we’ve discovered the Escalade IQ trademark alongside Escalade IQL within the USPTO database.

Following the start of Lyriq deliveries next year, we think the Cadillac Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL could be the next Cadillac EVs on the scene. With the Escalade traditionally riding on the same platform as Chevrolet and GMC’s full-size pickup trucks it’s possible development of the electric Escalade is already underway alongside the Chevrolet Silverado EV, which will be unveiled at CES 2022. It’s expected that the Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL will find themselves build under the same roof as the Silverado EV, Sierra EV, and Hummer EV as well, at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, re-branded as Factory Zero. A place where President Joe Biden paid a visit to last week.

Alongside the Escalade trademarks, we also discovered Vistiq and Lumistiq within the USPTO database. But there was a third new name present as well: Ascendiq. If you’re keeping track at home we now have the incoming Lyriq SUV, the Celestiq sedan, those should be joined by the trademarked names Symboliq, Vistiq, Lumistiq, Ascendiq, plus the Escalade IQ and IQL.

That makes seven model names, which would indicate a fairly full showroom that could be broken into a family of electric SUVs, a rather swanky flagship sedan (Celestiq), and maybe even something with a more rakish profile.

Is it just us, or is the “IQ” thing already getting tacky?

Before the Cadillac Escalade IQ and IQL debut, however, expect a higher-octane version of the iconic SUV we see today, powered by 6.2L LT4 V8 engine shared with the CT5-V Blackwing and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. That could mean roughly 650 horsepower out of the big SUV, coupled with a sportier suspension, bigger brakes, better tires, and a few unique design elements. For this, we are thankful.