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2021 Cadillac CT5-V makes a few changes for its second year

An order guide for the 2021 Cadillac CT5-V reveals a number of small changes to the sedan's formula going into its second year on the market. Starting with the superficial, the $1,225 Red Obsession Tintcoat exterior color and the $625 CT5-V-exclusive Royal Spice Metallic depart after this model year. They'll be replaced by Infrared Tintcoat and another color exclusive to this model called Rift Metallic. Since all but Summit White and Black Raven are cost-option Premium hues, the new colors should be expected to add to the price. Materially, the interior finish spiffs up with better-quality Modena leather stitched around the steering wheel rim, and Senza leather on the wheel center.    Next year, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay will come standard, a promotion over the current wired systems. Getting around the infotainment screens will be easier thanks to a rotary dial that can slide laterally to choose menu items. The digital radio moves up to SiriusXM 360L, providing 4G streaming functionality. For the younger drivers in the family, the Teen Driver System will include Buckle to Drive. On the current CT5-V, the Navigation and Bose Premium Audio Package adds the Cadillac user experience with navigation, a 15-speaker Bose audio system, and an eight-inch configurable Driver Information Center display between the dash cluster gauges. For 2021, the eight-inch display is discontinued, so the package gains wireless phone charging. A new Technology Package replaces the current eight-inch DIC with a 12-inch configurable digital gauge cluster that sprouts a head-up display taken from the Driver Awareness Plus Package. The Technology Package will be included in the Platinum Package that right now costs $6,290, and that automatically adds the $4,190 Premium Package and $1,950 Driver Assist and Advanced Security Package. Based on current prices, the order guide indicates the Platinum Package will cost at least $12,430. Because of such bundling, the same package on the 2020 CT5-V 'roids up the MSRP by $13,730. Without ordering the Platinum Package, both the Navigation and Technology Packages will require the Premium Package.

2021 Cadillac Escalade's EPA highway fuel economy is worse than before

EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2021 Cadillac Escalade are out, and the news is mostly not good. The redesigned SUV sees slim to no improvement in the Feds' city ratings, and its highway numbers are considerably worse than before. These are estimates for the standard 6.2-liter V8. Figures for the no-cost-optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel six have not been released yet. Specifically, the rear-wheel-drive 2021 Escalade has estimates of 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. Compared to the outgoing 2020 version, powered by the same 6.2L V8, those numbers represent a 1 mpg improvement in city (the lone piece of good news) but are 3 mpg worse on the highway. With all-wheel drive, the 2021 Escalade can't even get out of the teens, with EPA ratings of 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. That's the same city rating as before and a 2 mpg decline versus the 2020 model's highway rating. For further comparison, cross-town rival Lincoln's Navigator with its 3.5-liter turbo V6 manages 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (RWD) and 16/21 with AWD. No one expects an ultra-large, body-on-frame, three-row SUV to achieve Prius-like levels of fuel efficiency, but it's pretty rare these days to see such backsliding with a fresh redesign. Here's hoping the diesel variant will have a happier story to tell. Related Video:

Cadillac's striking Escala concept is reportedly headed for production

Cadillac is reportedly planning a new flagship four-door, and it won't be based on its alphanumeric naming system a la the CT6. It'll be the Escala, the stunning concept fastback it revealed in 2016 in Pebble Beach. The news comes via Autoline, which cites AutoForecast Solutions. The Escala is said to be planned for production starting in December 2021 at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which currently builds the CT6, Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Volt and Impala. That suggests the Escala, which was branded as a four-door coupe, will likely keep that layout. It'll also be built on the CT6 platform. Cadillac has been talking about fitting a flagship sedan above the CT6 for years, and the Escala's design language has been influencing bits of other Cadillac models, from the refresh of the CT6 to the broad grille shape on the new XT4 crossover, which debuts at the New York Auto Show next week. The concept Escala featured a wide, muscular stance and a minimalist, white mid-century modern interior aesthetic, with tail lamps that evoke waterfowl in flight. Interestingly, it came equipped with a 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 with cylinder deactivation, which Cadillac President Johan De Nysschen said at the time was "absolutely worthy of a car of this caliber." But with such a long horizon before production, there's obviously lots of time to develop a more pragmatic production model and cue ravenous speculation. Or, for that matter, to decide to rename it something like the CT8. Related Video: Featured Gallery Cadillac Escala Concept View 33 Photos Image Credit: Jeff Jablansky Design/Style Cadillac Coupe Concept Cars Luxury Sedan cadillac ct6 cadillac xt4 cadillac escala