IQ Climbing | Cadillac brings its juggernaut into the electric era

Born in the twilight of the 1990s when the luxury SUV concept was in its infancy, the Cadillac Escalade quickly became the darling of many American stars, both in the sports world and in the artistic world.

This popularity has made him an iconic figure in popular culture, an object of desire for many. Recently unveiled, the arrival of an electric livery for this large SUV marks a spectacular reorientation, with more than 700 km of autonomy as an argument.

Here is the Escalade IQ, the first full-size SUV in the General Motors family to be equipped with an all-electric powertrain. Essentially the same size as an Escalade ESV with a combustion engine, this addition to the range of the illustrious luxury manufacturer takes up stylistic cues from the Lyriq, the brand’s first electric model. Its grille with elaborate illuminated patterns is therefore lined with cascading diodes, while the boomerang taillights remain split at the rear. Its lateral line is also softened in the name of aerodynamics.

Lots of range and power

This Escalade IQ features a duo of electric motors placed on each axle to drive the four wheels. The total power borders on 680 hp, but can climb to 750 hp when the “Velocity” mode is activated. The prodigious amount of energy needed to move this vehicle is stored in a 200 kWh Ultium battery with a 200 V electrical architecture and compatible with a charging power of 350 kW. This allows a range estimated by General Motors at 724 km. This Escalade can also work, as evidenced by a towing capacity of 3629 kg (8000 lb). Obviously, autonomy will drop substantially when exercising.

The chassis is equipped with electromagnetic shock absorbers and air springs that can increase or reduce ground clearance. The full-size SUV is also equipped with four directional wheels, an element that will tighten the turning radius to 12 m.

The passenger compartment crowns this spectacular technical demonstration with a 55-inch screen that occupies almost the entire dashboard. The excellent Super Cruise semi-autonomy system is also part of the equipment. As with many electric vehicles, a 345 L front trunk completes the huge rear cargo space.

The Escalade IQ will be offered from the end of 2024 at a price that has not yet been revealed, but which should logically be higher than the $110,424 required for the current combustion engine version.