► All-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ revealed
► Claims up to 450 miles on a single charge
► Includes GM’s clever Super Cruise driver tech
Cadillac has revealed an electric version of one of its most recognisable nameplates in its modern history: this is the Escalade IQ.
Its blingy, super-sized SUV has been revitalised for the electric era, leveraging General Motors’ latest technologies, including its Ultium battery-electric car platform. Naturally, it’s such a big deal to Cadillac that the brand has gone all out, introducing a huge raft of additional driver assistance technologies and novel bits of engineering.
But why should I care? I live in Europe…
Well, if you may remember, General Motors announced a grand plan to return to Europe with a host of new battery-electric cars. The automotive group has largely been dormant here after it sold off Opel/Vauxhall to the then-PSA Group.
Among those EVs likely to launch in Europe are the Lyriq crossover (which we’ve reviewed here) and the Chevrolet Blazer EV that recently went on sale in North America. While unconfirmed, Europe’s strong appetite for big SUVs and electric cars may combine to make this an attractive addition to GM Europe’s future offering.
Fair enough. What kind of specs are we talking about?
Beneath the crisp and modern bodywork, the Escalade IQ – reportedly nicknamed ‘Escaliq’ (ess-kah-lick) by GM insiders – deploys the Ultium battery-electric platform. Ultium is GM’s one-size-fits-all architecture that kicked off with the GMC Hummer EV (which we’ve driven here), which includes modular battery construction and the ability for single, twin and triple e-motor setups.
For the new Escalade IQ, the large electric SUV debuts with a whopping 200kWh battery pack (almost as big as the Hummer EV) and a dual-motor setup for electric all-wheel drive. Cadillac says the Escalade IQ produces 677bhp and 615lb ft in its regular mode, with a ‘Velocity Max’ drive mode temporarily boosting that to 751bhp and 785lb ft.
Want some more stats? Cadillac estimates that that huge power output and enormous battery pack means a 0-60mph sprint in less than five seconds and a 450-mile claimed range, as well as the ability to tow 3600kg. Vehicle-to-load technology, like that in the Ford F-150 Lightning and Hyundai Motor Group E-GMP cars like the Ioniq 5 (which we’ve tested here), is also standard.
Any clever tech?
Tonnes. Adaptive air suspension, rear-wheel steering and a one-pedal driving mode are all included.
And Cadillac has gone to town on driver assistance technology, too. The Escalade IQ features GM’s Super Cruise technology (that we’ve tested here), which uses GPS mapping to give it the most up-to-date data for a proper hands-off automated driving on selected North American highways. Cadillac also says assistance tech like blind spot steering intervention, intersection emergency braking, entirely automated parking assistance and pedestrian/cyclist braking are standard.
Cadillac also claims the Escalade IQ is ‘GM’s most aerodynamic full-size SUV ever,’ which, frankly, is like saying you’ve designed the most aerodynamic shape of concrete block.
Inside, the Escalade IQ features an enormous, near-full-width display totalling 55 inches in diagonal width as well as a massive touch panel integrated into the centre console, and you can spec your electric SUV with a 36-speaker (yes, THIRTY SIX) AKG audio system.
It’s a seven seater and includes a power-folding third row, and you can specify an Executive Second Row Seating pack that includes tray tables, individual screens, wireless charging pads, massaging seats and headrest speakers.
And as for space, Cadillac says there’s 690 litres of boot room with all three rows up, or a massive 1958 litres if the third row is folded down. That’s on top of a pretty sizeable 345-litre frunk.
How much?
Cadillac says prices start at $130,000 – around £100k if directly converted here.