CADILLAC ESCALADE IQL: THE NAME OF THE UPCOMING ELECTRIC LUXURY SUV WE ALL WANT

Cadillac will formally begin its march to becoming a fully electric automaker by 2030 when deliveries of the Lyriq EV SUV begin next year. But what about the rest of the lineup? We know the Celestiq electric sedan should be on deck sometime before 2023, and there was a trademark filing with the Symboliq name discovered last year, but that’s about it. Until now, as trademark documents discovered in Europe point to three new models that will join the EV party before Cadillac’s plan to kill all combustion-powered vehicles by 2030 goes into effect. The Cadillac Vistiq and Lumistiq will continue the esoteric trend to adorn all Cadillac electric vehicles with an -iq suffix. While the Escalade IQL moniker seemingly intends to simply electrocute Cadillac’s most recognizable nameplate.

It’s unclear at this time what kind of vehicles Vistiq and Lumistiq could adorn. At least one of them should be a smaller SUV considering the popularity of the segment. However, Tesla has shown us that sedans still have a significant role to play.

Without a doubt, the Cadillac Escalade IQL will arrive as a large range-topping SUV, the same role the nameplate currently occupies in the Cadillac hierarchy. It’s unclear if IQL is a combination of the -iq suffix and the L indicates a long-wheelbase variant. If that’s the case it would indicate the presence of the Escalade IQ and Escalade IQL.

At CES back in January, GM gave us a hazy look at a slew of additional EVs the automaker is planning for all its brands, it’s unclear if one of the hidden vehicles could be one of either Vistiq or Lumistiq. However, aside from the Lyriq and Celestiq which were sat front and center, none of the other vehicles emitted the same light signature as the pair of Cadillac Electric Vehicles.

We think the Cadillac Escalade IQ (yeesh) or Escalade IQL could be the first on the scene. With the Escalade traditionally riding on the same platform as Chevrolet and GMC’s full-size pickup trucks it’s likely development of the electric Escalade is already underway alongside the Chevrolet SIlverado EV, which will be unveiled at CES 2022.

The location of these trademark filings also clues us into Cadillac’s future plans for re-entering the European market.

Traditionally, the brand has struggled in the Old World, a combination of a poorly developed dealer network and the lack of a diesel powerplant. The incoming electrification of the brand’s entire lineup should at least level the propulsion playing field, as multiple countries pledge to ban the sales of electric vehicles in the not too-distant-future.

Does this move also tip the hand of a larger EU re-entry plan from General Motors? Possibly… possibly.