The Cadillac Escalade IQ is the all-electric take on the American luxury brand's SUV king, favored by Hollywood's best personalities. Having learned that the Escalade IQ is not luxurious enough, Cadillac made it longer. The first-ever Escalade IQL is now as big as any American full-size SUV should.
2026 Cadillac Escalade IQL
The Escalade IQL is priced at a staggering $130,405, plus additional costs. It offers everything you know about the Escalade IQ, now in a longer wheelbase version.
While it shares a name with Cadillac's flagship SUV, the Escalade IQL moves away from the traditional square design of its gasoline-powered counterpart, opting instead for a more modern unibody style. The Escalade has long been a favorite among celebrities from Los Angeles to New York, and the Escalade IQ aims to stand out with its unique features, particularly in the interior.
The driver's area boasts a striking 55-inch curved LED display that spans from pillar to pillar and includes Google built-in functionality, providing a futuristic driving experience. Control over many vehicle functions is at your fingertips, and there’s even a separate touchscreen on the armrest for climate control.
As a seven-seater SUV, the Escalade IQ shines in its executive second-row seating, which is the standout feature. With a rear-seat entertainment system, ample legroom, an upgraded sound system, and multiple tech charging options, passengers can stay comfortable and entertained, even during long stretches of West Coast traffic. Additionally, the vehicle offers up to 137.4 cubic feet of maximum cargo space behind the first row and eTrunk, ensuring plenty of room for all your essentials.
Running on the Ultium platform, the dual-motor setting produces 750HP of power output with the Velocity Max set, and that's more than you get from the Escalade-V. Sprinting from 0-60mph in less than five seconds, the Escalade IQ can last up to 460 miles of driving range, the longest range of any EV SUV. It even packs a wide array of safety features ranging from night vision, adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change, and standard Super Cruise hands-free driving aid, complimentary with a 3-year OnStar Super Cruise plan.
Cadillac is making waves with the Escalade IQL, appealing to Hollywood celebrities and socially conscious consumers with its stylish and comfortable zero-emission design. If you're in the market for an ultra-luxury full-size SUV featuring an electric powertrain, this is definitely worth considering.
Since its inception in 2005, the Forza Motorsport franchise has delivered us some of the most amazing vehicles spanning half a century through the world's most demanding racetracks spanning from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Now it's the turn of the two cover cars that starred in what's known to be the last-ever Forza Motorsport game ever made.
First up, the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, the hybrid version of the eighth-generation Corvette that caused a lot of stir since the advent of the base model.
The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray rewrote the American sports car's seven-decade history ever since the eighth-generation model, the first mid-engined Corvette, broke cover in 2020.
The E-Ray features a 6.2L LT2 V8 engine that is mated to an electric drive unit powering both front and rear wheels, making it a four-wheel-drive supercar, a Corvette first. It produces a total power output of 655HP, and while mated with an 8-speed transmission, it has a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds.
The ZER Performance Package comes with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ZP summer-only tires as well as chassis tuning and other performance enhancements.
Lastly, the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, Cadillac's entry to both IMSA's GTP class and the WEC's Hypercar class.
The V-Series.R racing prototype is Cadillac's commitment to the LMDh class and it's made to compete not just in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the new-generation GTP class but also at the WEC's Hypercar class. It was built in cooperation with Dallara.
In compliance with the LMDh standards, the V-Series.R is powered by a 5.5L DOHC V8 Hybrid engine, the only naturally aspirated engine in the GTP class. It has a series-specified 670hp of power output and it is mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox.
The #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R used in the IMSA 2023 season was driven by IndyCar veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger Van Der Zande.
In the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R won the Motul Course de Monterey endurance race at Laguna Seca. At the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R finished 4th place, behind the 3rd-placer #02 V-Series.R race car.
For one last drive for the entire Forza franchise, let's bring the final Forza Motorsport game's cover cars to Yas Marina Circuit. It's an appropriate circuit for an appropriate moment because, as they say, it all ends here. For those of us who consider the end of something, I would say that this is the perfect location to say goodbye to the Forza series.
Without further ado, let's roll the tapes.
Like all good F1 drivers, their final lap in Yas Marina really marks the end of an era. I have to be honest with you: As demonstrated with the cover cars of the last-ever Forza Motorsport game, it pains me to say that it really is the end of what's known to be one of the best gaming franchises in the world of Xbox.
From the first Forza Motorsport game launched in 2005 to the last-ever Forza Motorsport game launched in 2023, this two-decade journey became one heck of a ride for Forza fanatics everywhere. Fast cars, challenging tracks, and an ever-growing community that helped mature this franchise.
With the Forza franchise officially no more, let's take a quick moment of silence to be thankful for having one of the longest-running video game franchises in Xbox history.
The first-ever Optiq joins the list of Cadillac's electric vehicles and with prices starting at $52,895 plus additional costs, it's the junior of the Cadillac EV range. So, what's it all about the Cadillac Optiq?
2025 Cadillac Optiq
2025 Cadillac Optiq
One clear reminder about the Cadillac Optiq is that because this is the baby brother of the Lyriq, the sizing is identical to the XT4, and because the XT4 is set to be euthanized soon, the Optiq is glad to take its place.
2025 Cadillac Optiq interior
With the futuristic styling that draws inspiration from its big brother, the Lyriq, the Optiq's interior is business-class stuff thanks to its 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display with Google built-in compatibility and over-the-air software updates, extensive use of recycled materials in the making of patterned accent fabric, 126-color dual-zone ambient lighting, and 19-speaker AKG Studio Audio System with Dolby ATMOS. It even boasts the segment-best second-row legroom of 37.8 inches and rear cargo volume of up to 57 cubic feet as well, making this crossover worthy of your time.
Running on General Motors' Ultium platform, the Optiq's dual-motor setup produces 300hp of power and 354lb-ft of torque through all four wheels. It even comes with regenerative braking that stores energy while braking. At one full charge, the Optiq lasts for 302 miles and has a towing capacity of 1500 lbs.
Despite being an electric crossover, the Optiq handles rather well thanks to its near-perfect weight distribution and low center of gravity. It even boasts a wide array of advanced safety features including the controversial Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance technology.
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ
Those who demand the ultimate expression of luxury should go for the ultra-expensive and ultra-luxurious $127,700 Cadillac Escalade IQ, the Cadillac of all Cadillac EVs.
2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ interior
Despite borrowing the name from Cadillac's king-sized SUV, it eschews the squarish looks of its petrol-powered counterpart in favor of a more unibody setting but no matter. Because the Escalade is a popular choice for major celebrities from Los Angeles to New York, the Escalade IQ promises to buck such a trend because despite donning familiar styling cues from the Cadillac EV lineup, the interior is where the real party begins.
On the driver's side, the dashboard is heavily surrounded by its curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch total diagonal LED display with Google built-in compatibility, giving the driver the futuristic experience behind the wheel while taking control of almost everything. There's even a separate touchscreen on the armrest for the climate controls as well.
Although being a seven-seater SUV, it's the executive second-row seats that serve as the sweet spot for the Escalade IQ. Coupled with the rear-seat entertainment system, extra legroom, upgraded sound system, tech-charging options, and others, VIPs will be thrilled while relaxing in the middle of typical West Coast traffic. It even has up to 131.97 cubic feet of maximum cargo space behind the first row and eTrunk.
Running on the Ultium platform, the dual-motor setting produces 750HP of power output with Velocity Max set and that's more than you get from the Escalade-V. Sprinting from a 0-60mph time in less than five seconds, the Escalade IQ can last up to 460 miles of driving range, the longest range of any EV SUV. It even packs a wide array of safety features ranging from night vision, adaptive cruise control, automatic lane change, and standard Super Cruise hands-free driving aid complimentary with 3-year OnStar Super Cruise plan.
If you're looking for an affordable Cadillac EV, the Optiq is a great choice. But if you're a CEO who cares more about your employees than you do about yourself, then the Escalade IQ is the car for you. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting a great Cadillac EV that's perfect for your lifestyle.
Christmas celebrations in Forza Horizon 5 are officially ruined because of the arrival of The Four Horsemen of the Scrap-o-calypse.
Four older-generation luxury cars have invaded Horizon Mexico to darken our Yuletide celebrations. Who are this update's nightmares during the Christmas celebration?
Week 1 of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up saw the first horseman of the scrap-o-calypse: the third-generation Bentley Flying Spur. The last W12-powered Flying Spur.
Week 2 saw the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Wagon. This German junk is powered by a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine producing 469HP of power and 516ft-lb of torque. This is more than your auntie's basic W211 E-Class saloon.
Week 3 shocked Bimmer fanatics in Forza with the wrong M5. It's the previous-generation F90 M5 CS. This limited-edition M5 is based on the facelifted F90 M5 and is the first to have four seats. The tuned 4.4L V8 Twin Turbo engine produces 627HP of power and 553ft-lb of torque, sprinting form 0-60-mph in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 190mph, making it the fastest-accelerating M saloon ever made.
Lastly, the final week of the Horizon Holidays Mix-up brought us another "clunker" wagon; the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon. Even in its estate setting, it carries the same features from the CTS-V sedan and coupe such as control arm front suspension, Multi-Link rear suspension, Brembo brakes, dual-mode Magnetic Ride Control, Bose 5.1 surround sound system, standard navigation system, and a choice of two transmission types; a 6-speed 6L90 automatic or a 6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual. It even packs a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine from the C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, producing 556hp power and 550ft-lb of torque.
It's time to unleash the ghosts of Christmas past around Horizon Mexico. These four horsemen of the scrapyard are going to give us a taste of what they're made of.
Welcome to the dark side of the Horizon Holidays.
It's typical Forza. They've shunned the evolution of automobiles and shocked the younger generation of car enthusiasts by dumping older-generation cars into games like Forza Horizon 5. As the year 2025 approaches with nothing from the Forza producers, I guess this is what they called the death kneel.
That's right. The Forza franchise is officially DEAD in 2025 because none of the games featured every single 2025 Model Year vehicle. This means that the new Forza Motorsport game and Forza Horizon 5 are the last Forza games they'll ever make as the Forza franchise is set to permanently close its doors in 2025.
I just remembered: the Horizon Extremes update next week will have just one prize car, and it's a rotten piece of junk from the depths of the inferno: the DeBerti Chevrolet C10 Slayer. Still, this is the beginning of the end—the end of not just Forza Horizon 5 but THE END OF THE FORZA FRANCHISE.
Good luck enjoying the final days of the Forza franchise. It was a fun racing franchise while it lasted...
Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac. Three carmakers took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. I've been asked if I can reimagine the Le Mans' centennial podium as road cars, which car per brand will it be standing in the now-legendary podium and why?
My obvious choices for my Le Mans centennial podium reimagined as road cars are; the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Toyota GR Supra, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. When you do an improv on them, you'll know they had learnings from their now-legendary podium-standing equivalents in Le Mans.
The SF90 Stradale uses most of Scuderia Ferrari's motorsport know-how and the teachings from the LaFerrari to create the de-facto flagship PHEV hypercar that can dominate the road and track with surgical precision. Powering the SF90 Stradale is a plug-in hybrid setup, a first for Ferrari, where the turbocharged F154 4.0L V8 engine, producing 780PS of power, is connected to three electric motors, two on the front axle and one between the engine and the 8-speed double-clutch gearbox, resulting to a monstrous 1,000PS of total power output that pushes the SF90 to a 0-100kph time of 2.5 seconds and a top speed of 340kph.
The Toyota GR Supra is the first of the Reiwa-era JDM sportscars when it was launched in May 2019, a month after the beginning of the Reiwa era in Japan. Despite the BMW connection because it runs on the same mechanicals as the BMW Z4 G29, most speedo boys went for the Toyota rather than its BMW equivalent because, obviously, IT'S A TOYOTA. Powering the GR Supra is a choice of a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine and the 3.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo engine for the range-topping RZ variant, seen here, producing 340PS of power and 500Nm of torque. All of the engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox. Later updates gave a power hike on the 3.0L turbo engine as well as the implementation of a 6-speed manual gearbox, which made it slightly lighter and more fun.
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing transforms the sober American businessman's car into a WMD for the road and track. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. It also comes with eLSD, advanced suspension refinements, Launch Control, Performance Traction Management, and MRC 4.0, among many others.
Judging by the performance the reimagined centennial podium possessed, there's no way I would have a three-way shootout between them because, truth be told, the SF90 will mince them both just as Ferrari crushed both Toyota and Cadillac in the Le Mans centennial anniversary race of 2023. I know, the CT5-V Blackwing's more powerful than the Supra but because the Supra is lighter, it slips through the American businessman's car gone mad at ease. Still, using the power of improv, I decided to give the reimagined Le Mans centennial podium a little talent show to demonstrate their native talents and with that, some makeovers.
Using Hana again? I'm starting to fall in love with my in-game GR Supra decorated with Aikatsu Planet's Hana because it has that "main character energy" on it, just like her. This is why I'm using her again for the little exhibition show I've run for her. A final encore, if you like.
The Wings on the Road, CT5-V Blackwing, is now peppered with a touch of Beat from Aikatsu Planet. Suits its personality well because driving the CT5-V Blackwing gives you the impression of pouring a bottle of cola into a teacup and sipping it in. I admire its level of sophistication as much as Beat herself. The CT5-V Blackwing is an awesome super saloon but today, the wings on the road's got Beat's name all over them, the equivalent of drinking cola out of a teacup. Classy, siddity, and elegance.
Lastly, Ferrari's de-facto flagship hypercar, the SF90, is now wrapped in the thorns of Rose from Aikatsu Planet. The toughest ones are always in the Ferrari and Ferrari is the alpha male of the supercar realm, making it the ideal role for the SF90 as Aikatsu Planet's toughest character, the final boss if you like. Up for a real challenge? You'll gonna have to take on her.
With my favorite cars mirrored in, it's time for the reimagined Le Mans centennial trio to have exhibition matches against Horizon's best drivers assembled including dummy drivers in reserve. Time to show these three what they're capable of and how Le Mans influenced sports cars like these. Send in the clips.
The trio put on a great show as if this was the last live show of their lives.
Ferrari, Toyota, and Cadillac took over the podium of the centennial anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the summer of 2023 with Ferrari the victor. When reimagined as road cars in the form of the SF90 Stradale, the GR Supra, and the CT5-V Blackwing, they really shine because of the learnings from their podium-standing equivalents, and when they're mirrored in, they can see their true colors.
Should the next Le Mans race come in, will Toyota mean revenge against Ferrari? Is Ferrari defending its Le Mans comeback? Or will there be another surprise in store? Only time will tell in the summer...
The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray and the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R are the headliners of the new Forza Motorsport game. Players got a sample of these cars in the prologue and having spent their hard-earned in-game cash to buy these two, the time's come to get to know the stars of the show.
First, let's get to know about the Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray, the hybrid version of the eighth-generation Corvette that caused a lot of stir since the advent of the base model.
The first-ever Chevrolet Corvette C8 E-Ray rewrote the American sports car's seven-decade history ever since the eighth-generation model, the first mid-engined Corvette, broke cover in 2020.
The E-Ray features a 6.2L LT2 V8 engine that is mated to an electric drive unit powering both front and rear wheels, making it a four-wheel-drive supercar, a Corvette first. It produces a total power output of 655HP and while mated with an 8-speed transmission, it has a 0-60mph time of 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 10.5 seconds.
The ZER Performance Package comes with high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ZP summer-only tires as well as chassis tuning and other performance enhancements.
Now, let's get to know the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, Cadillac's entry to both IMSA's GTP class and the WEC's Hypercar class.
The V-Series.R racing prototype is Cadillac's commitment to the LMDh class and it's made to compete not just in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the new-generation GTP class but also at the WEC's Hypercar class. It was built in cooperation with Dallara.
In compliance with the LMDh standards, the V-Series.R is powered by a 5.5L DOHC V8 Hybrid engine, the only naturally aspirated engine in the GTP class. It has a series-specified 670hp of power output and it is mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox.
The #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R used in the IMSA 2023 season was driven by IndyCar veteran Sebastien Bourdais and Renger Van Der Zande.
In the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R won the Motul Course de Monterey endurance race at Laguna Seca. At the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R finished 4th place, behind the 3rd-placer #02 V-Series.R race car.
Upon sampling these two cars in the prologue feature, I got to say that these two cars truly evoked the spirit of Forza in this reborn Xbox racing game made for racers of all generations, be they boomers or Gen Zs alike. By letting their hybrid powertrain loose, these two American marvels showcased the performance that shatters expectations, and in every lap they've done, they've made a huge impression on those behind the wheel, even myself.
Having satisfied with the performance of the new Motorsport heroes, it's time to take them for a quick lap around Laguna Seca, the exact place where the #1 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R scored a win at the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech series.
I've been blown away by how agile and precise the Corvette E-Ray was on the track. The electric motors provide a smooth and responsive ride, allowing the driver to take on the twists and turns with ease, and the advanced suspension and aerodynamic design help to minimize unwanted vibration and noise, giving it a truly immersive driving experience.
The #01 Cadillac Racing V-Series.R, meanwhile, is an absolute beast on the track with its powerful engine, lightweight body, and precise handling. The car's aerodynamics are also well-done, allowing it to take advantage of every inch of the Laguna Seca circuit.
So, how did I do with these cars? The Corvette E-Ray did it in 1m39.872s while the #1 V-Series.R did it in 1m33.294s, meaning the gap between them is some would say a close shave. Still, I had fun driving the two heroes around Laguna Seca by all means.
It's an honor to get to know the two hero cars of the new Forza Motorsport game and judging which of these two is the favorite, I have to say it's the Corvette E-Ray. This is definitely a Corvette that doesn't behave like a real Corvette. It feels like it was straight from a different universe if you catch my drift.
As I said before, welcome to the new generation of Forza. Enjoy your drive.
I'd admit, of all the prize cars I've obtained from the FH5 Midnights at Horizon series update, my top picks will be both the CT4-V Blackwing and the CT5-V Blackwing because I've requested these rides to be featured since the beginning and I've enjoyed them.
Having enjoyed both of the Blackwing sedans in the game, it's time to find out which of these two Blackwings is the Black Knight, pun intended.
Time for a quick refresher with the two Blackwing sedans. The CT4-V Blackwing uses the same 3.6L Twin-Turbo engine as its predecessor, the ATS-V, but it's been upgraded to produce 472HP of power and 445lb-ft of torque. It's been mated to a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that delivers a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 189mph.
The CT5-V Blackwing, meanwhile, combines raw V8 performance and track-honed performance into the pinnacle of the Cadillac V-Series. The 6.2L Supercharged V8 engine was a complete carryover from the old CTS-V but it has been boosted to produce 668HP of power and 659lb-ft of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed AT that propels this car from a 0-100kph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph.
Both of these high-performance saloons are fun to drive and easy to get hooked on but there can only be one as these two black knights come face-to-face in a hill climb sprint, finding out which of these two is the fastest. Whether it is the handling delight from the turbocharged CT4-V Blackwing or the raw supercharged V8 power of the CT5-V Blackwing, it's the final judgment for these two top Republicans as it's time to find out who will come on top. Send in the clip.
And now, the results;
CT4-V Blackwing - 3m20.951s
CT5-V Blackwing - 3m14.094s
Guess the folks from Cadillac were right after all, the CT5-V Blackwing truly is "the most powerful Cadillac ever".
The supercharged CT5-V Blackwing has proven its worth as the black knight in shining armor and with such power and prestige, you'd better watch for it because it's easy to fall by the black knight's bitter blade in the dead of night.
Although the Midnights at Horizon update is over, I still have some work to do with the two Blackwings because I'm starting to hatch a brainwave out of these two. Watch this space.
