While the entire automotive industry seems to be transitioning to electric powertrains, Cadillac is building a final salute to big V8 power. That salute is a full-fat no-compromises Cadillac Escalade V. Now, we’re getting a look at two camouflaged prototype models during testing caught by the Youtube channel Muscle Cars and Trucks. Even more scintillating though is the chance to hear it at full throttle as it rockets down the road.

Spied testing in Michigan, at least one of these SUVs, the one with major camo on the doors, which is the stretched ESV, has been spotted before. The other one that is based on the regular body Escalade, is lighter on the camo’d wraps and shows off a lot more detail and gives away the vehicle’s brand.

See: Is Cadillac Testing A Blackwing-Powered 2022 Escalade V?

What sets these two examples apart beyond the rumble under the hood, is a redesigned front fascia sporting more prominent lower air intakes, a chin spoiler, as well as the crosshatch mesh inserts seen on other Cadillac V cars, and the Blackwing-style quad exhaust tips .

While it’s unclear if the big Caddie will use the Blackwing name, it’s widely believed that it will employ the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 found in the CT5-V Blackwing where it makes 668-hp and no less than 659 lb ft of torque. That’s a whole lot more than the 420-hp 6.2-liter V8, not to mention the 277-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, used in the standard Escalade.

It will most certainly come with other improvements such as Cadillac’s adjustable magnetorheological dampers, bigger and more powerful brakes and bespoke tire and wheel combinations.

We expect to hear official news on the Escalade V in the coming months with a market launch to take place either towards the end of the year or in early 2023.