SPY PICS: 2024 Cadillac Escalade IQ caught in action

The 2024 Cadillac Escalade IQ has been spotted testing in Detroit less than a week out from the battery-electric luxury family SUV’s global reveal on August 9.

And the chances of the Escalade IQ launching in Australia have taken another big step forward as Cadillac’s current global product planner, Jess Bala, has just been named as the new managing director of General Motors Australia and New Zealand, effective September 1.

An Australian relaunch for the American luxury brand has intensified over the past 12 months, with GM applying for local trademark protection of the Escalade IQ nameplate with IP Australia, along with the Lyriq and Optiq model names.

That points to a potential three-pronged EV launch for Cadillac with new mid-size (Lyriq), large (Optiq) and full-size (Escalade) SUVs.

Last year, GM provided its strongest hint yet that it would return to right-hand drive markets as part of a “regional ambidextrous strategy” for its GM International division, which includes markets outside the Americas and China, such as Australia.

The company said it was investing more than $US35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicle technology and that it was “developing our plans to bring those technologies to our markets”.

Executives also told carsales recently that those plans remain in place and that GM was continuing to explore opportunities in Australia, specifically in reference to Cadillac and key models from other brands such as the Chevrolet Silverado EV.

Bala has been a driving force behind Cadillac’s move into the luxury EV market, which has seen GM consider launching Caddy (and Hummer) in Europe as a standalone luxury electric vehicle marque.

“Across Australia and New Zealand, we will remain focused on putting the customers first by bringing winning products and a world-class ownership experience,” Bala said in a press release announcing her appointment, which includes overseeing General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV).

“GM Australia and New Zealand has a strong foundation for future growth, deploying new technologies, and building new partnerships to surprise and delight our customers.” 

The latest spy pics show the Escalade IQ will have a curvier roofline than its internal combustion counterpart as well as a longer and lower nose in order to reduce drag and maximise driving range.

Previous teaser images have previewed a unique front lighting signature for the EV to help separate it apart from its petrol-powered stablemates and match its more aerodynamic proportions.

The Escalade IQ also stands to feature a large 170kWh battery pack (or even 200kWh) as per the GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV, yielding a range of at least 650km.

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