April 20th, 2021 Chris Phillip

Ah, the good ole' Escalade (now in its fifth generation.) The only Cadillac model with a name (until the Lyriq arrives and we can't wait!) Now the big, brawny, luxurious all-American people mover gets an optional, no-extra-cost diesel engine that trades brute horsepower for fantastic fuel economy and doesn't give up any torque in the process.

Our friends at Cadillac Society report that the Duramax turbocharged 3.0L I6 (production code LM2) is rated at 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque (623 newton-meters) at 1,500 rpm. That's in comparison to the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 L87 gasoline engine, which is rated at 420 horsepower at 5,600 rom and 460 pound-feet of torque at 4,100 rpm.

Speaking of metric talk, all new Cadillacs have a numerical shoutout on the rear displaying the engine torque in newton-meters. That explains the diesel Escalade's 600D emblem on the back. Newton-meters? When was the last time you heard someone bragging about their engine's newton-meters?

Call us old school, but we're pleased the Escalade has never been renamed like the Cadillac brand's other models. Gas or diesel. The choice is up to you ... at least for a few more years until an all-electric Escalade (dare we say E-scalade?) is sure to come around.