Named after the Generation II LT4, the Generation V LT4 is a direct-injection small block with more than 640 horses on tap from a displacement of 6.2 liters. The most powerful application is the Escalade-V, in which the naturally aspirated lump develops 682 ponies (make that 509 kW or 682 ps in metric units).
General Motors further promises 653 pound-feet (885 Nm) of torque at the crankshaft, which is more than adequate in a truck-based sport utility vehicle. How much of those resources actually get to the wheels of the Escalade-V? According to Hennessey Performance Engineering, the numbers in question are 588.44 ponies and 591.02 pound-feet (801 Nm).
That, in turn, means drivetrain losses of 13.72 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively. Not bad at all for a full-time 4WD system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Described as being a "Bentley, Range Rover, Lamborghini, and AMG fighter" by the Texas-based tuner, the Escalade-V is anything but.
Both the Bentayga and Range Rover are unibodies, and the same applies to the Urus. When it comes to AMGs, the GLS 63 is a unibody as well, whereas the Escalade-V doesn't have the off-road chops of the G 63. Clearly intended for the road rather than the trial, the Escalade-V can be pushed to a staggering 1,005 horses and 882 pound-feet (1,196 Nm) by HPE.
The black-painted example in the video below is getting the so-called H1000 upgrade package, which includes a hotter cam and ported cylinder heads. Hennessey Performance Engineering further sweetens the deal with an auxiliary fuel system upgrade, high-flow induction, upgraded valve springs and retainers, intake valves and exhaust valves, lifters and pushrods, as well as a larger heat exchanger.
Photo: Cadillac
The list continues with high-flow cats that allow the LT4 to breathe out better, an HPE-specific ECU tune, and up to 500 miles (805 kilometers) of testing prior to delivery. Each and every build is beautified with Hennessey and H1000 badging for the exterior, plus a serial-numbered engine bay plaque. The tuner provides three years or 36,000 miles of warranty.
Regarding the price of the H1000 package, Hennessey didn't bother making this information public. On the other hand, we do know that the H650 package for the Escalade used to retail at $27,950 back in January 2023. Otherwise put, the H1000 could start at $35,000 plus the vehicle's MSRP.
The most expensive Escalade available today, the Escalade-V is $152,295 sans delivery and extras. Capable of reaching 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in 4.4 seconds, the Escalade-V honors the V-Series for the 2024 model year with a custom wake-up animation screen, grille header, puddle lamp projector, and an optional paint color. Black Diamond Tricot is what Cadillac calls the heritage color, which sparkles in the light due to a diamond-like finish.
With the Escalade due a mid-cycle refresh in 2024 for the 2025 model year, it's not clear whether the Escalade-V will still be available to order going forward. The introduction of the Escalade IQ electric SUV makes the Escalade-V obsolete, although the Escalade IQ clearly doesn't offer the same aural pleasure as the combustion-engined V.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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