2020 Cadillac Escalade Rumored to Receive Three Engine Options
If you like the Cadillac Escalade, you had also better be fond of General Motors’ 6.2-liter V8. Because that’s the only engine currently available for it. However, that may not be the case when the 2020 model pokes its head out of the factory door.
This is the second time we’ve heard buzzing about numerous engines becoming available on the luxury SUV and, frankly, we’re delighted to hear it. While there’s nothing wrong with the current model’s naturally-aspirated small block — excluding some customer complaints about noisy lifters — more choices are always better and we don’t foresee Cadillac abandoning the V8 anytime soon.
Claiming to have the inside scoop, Cadillac Society says the 2020 Cadillac Escalade will come with a trio of engine options. One of those will assuredly be the upgraded EcoTec3 that’s already started appearing in new GM pickups. Effectively just an improved version of of the 6.2-liter V8 that’s already in the Escalade, the unit should produce around 420 horsepower and 460 foot-pounds of torque, adding cylinder deactivation and other economy-focused tech.
Less reliable rumors have also hinted that the CT6 V-Sport’s brand new 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 should also make its way into the larger SUV. While unconfirmed by General Motors, it seems unlikely they’d leave the engine out of Cadillac’s flagship vehicle. The automaker has the motor rated for 550 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. As with the 6.2-liter, it should come mated to a 10-speed automatic.
While we don’t have anything specific to lean on for the third powertrain, we’re willing to bet our hats that it involves hybridization. Cadillac Society speculated on something akin to the CT6 Plug-in, but we’ve no way of knowing what the internal combustion component will be. Presently, the sedan uses a 2.0-liter internal-combustion unit paired with a 120 kW twin-motor hybrid system. That’s underpowered for the Escalade, but GMC is supposed to launch a hybridized pickup that utilizes a system better suited for Cadillac’s SUV.
Déjà vu. Didn’t General Motors try this exact thing a few years ago? Don’t expect that uncanny feeling to go away as details trickle in over the coming months. Meanwhile, a full reveal of the 2020 Escalade is expected to take place next spring.
[Image: General Motors]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Son of Northstar in Escalade? Really? This marque has learned nothing in thirty years and really deserves bankruptcy.
Is GM back to doing CVTs? I thought the Saturn fiasco was a "lesson learned" of course it's 20 years down the road since they started on that one.