General Motors’ (GM) luxury brand Cadillac has unveiled the Cadillac all-electric Escalade IQ in the Middle East, making the 2025 model of the luxury full-size SUV the brand’s first all-electric model in the region.
Cadillac claims a range of over 700km for the vehicle, which it says is packed with the latest automotive technology and features. Among these is a curved, pillar-to-pillar 55-inch total diagonal LED display and Super Cruise driver assistance technology. A fast-charging features provides a range of up to 160km on a 10-minute charge.
In a statement from the brand, John Roth, Vice-President, Global Cadillac, at GM, said: “Escalade IQ raises the standard just as the original Escalade redefined luxury a quarter-century ago. This reimagining of an icon marks the next step in Cadillac’s all-electric future. For more than 120 years, Cadillac’s bold innovative spirit has defined American luxury. The Escalade IQ embodies this spirit in the most sophisticated form.”
Cadillac says that the Escalade IQ is its first full-size SUV built on GM’s modular electric vehicle (EV) propulsion architecture, the Ultium Platform, and incorporates GM’s Ultifi software platform to support and deliver ongoing software updates to its expansive technologies.
“Escalade IQ is first and foremost a Cadillac and delivers on a promise of innovative design supported by spirited performance and cutting-edge technologies,” said Jamie Brewer, Executive Chief Engineer, Escalade IQ. “The EV-specific architecture allows us to deliver a driving experience aligned with Cadillac’s philosophy of isolated precision — quiet, smooth and effortless with a strong connection to the road for an engaging experience.”
The SUV features independent front and rear suspension, with power transferred to 24-inch wheels with 35-inch tyres via front and rear drive motors that work in conjunction as an eAWD system. A suite of fully integrated advanced technologies including Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Adaptive Air Ride Suspension isolate passengers from undesirable road surfaces while providing precise steering and feel.
The Adaptive Air Ride Suspension system enables the vehicle to be lowered up to two inches (50 mm) and raised by an inch (25 mm), while additional features such as the standard Four-Wheel Steer, Cadillac Arrival Mode and Low Ride Mode enhance capability as well as the Escalade IQ’s presence.
A 24-module Ultium battery serves as the foundation of the Escalade IQ, producing more than 200 kWh of available energy. It also employs a flexible, high-voltage architecture that enables 800-volt DC fast charging, the quickest form of charging currently available, providing up to 160km of range in 10 minutes of charge time.
The SUV will also have the ability to be equipped with optional off-board power, allowing the vehicle to provide power to external appliances and devices.
Feature-rich Cadillac
Escalade IQ will have as a standard the brand’s Super Cruise feature, which is a hands-free driver assistance technology using real-time cameras, sensors and GPS, paired with detailed LiDAR map data, to give drivers confidence while driving completely hands-free.
The SUV also features a suite of standard active safety and driver assistance features, with highlights including:
* Blind Zone Steering Assist: Can provide a brief, firm turn of the steering wheel when a potential crash is detected with a moving vehicle in the lane the vehicle is entering
* Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking: Can help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of an intersection collision with a detected cross-traffic vehicle
* HD Surround Vision: Provides selectable digital camera views of the area around the vehicle and can help drivers park or avoid vehicles and objects
* Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist: Can automatically steer, brake and shift gears to park the vehicle into a dedicated parallel or perpendicular parking space and can help unpark the vehicle
* Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking: At speeds between 8-80km/h, can help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist it detects directly in front of them
GM’s most aerodynamic SUV
The Escalade IQ’s sleeker profile makes it the most aerodynamic full-size SUV ever produced by GM, with an approximately 15% lower coefficient of drag than previous generations, said Cadillac’s statement.
It added that the all-new Escalade IQ also has an interior to match. Craig Sass, design manager, Cadillac Interiors, explained: “You have never seen an Escalade quite like this. It’s a true renaissance — an immersive interior experience that elevates the bar for the future of luxury transportation.”
According to the statement, the Escalade IQ is open, airy and spacious, and incorporates advanced technologies introduced on the ultra-luxury Cadillac Celestiq. Regular production of the Escalade IQ begins next summer at GM’s Factory ZERO Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center in Michigan, with domestic and globally sourced components.
Pricing for the Middle East market will be announced closer to start of sale, Cadillac said.