4 Minutes
Hennessey pushes the Escalade-V into hyper-SUV territory
The headline is literal: Hennessey has transformed Cadillac's already-punchy 2026 Escalade-V into a 1,005-horsepower luxury SUV with the tuner’s H1000 upgrade. Based on the Escalade-V’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8, the conversion elevates a flagship luxury SUV into a straight-line contender you’d normally expect to see on the hypercar stage.
From factory muscle to H1000 fury
Cadillac ships the 2026 Escalade-V with a hefty 682 bhp (509 kW/692 PS) and 653 lb-ft (885 Nm) of torque. Hennessey’s formula is thorough: upgraded intake and exhaust valves, stronger lifters and pushrods, reinforced valve springs and retainers, lower and upper pulleys, a bespoke camshaft, a high-flow throttle body, ported cylinder heads and an oversized heat exchanger. The package also includes ceramic-coated long-tube headers, an improved crankcase ventilation system and a dedicated HPE engine management calibration.
The outcome is dyno- and road-tested: 1,005 hp (750 kW/1,019 PS) and 882 lb-ft (1,196 Nm), peaking at around 6,400 rpm and 4,300 rpm respectively. Hennessey complements the mechanical work with cosmetic touches too—’H1000’ and ’Hennessey’ exterior badging plus a serial-numbered plaque under the hood to certify each conversion.
- Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8 (upgraded)
- Power: 1,005 hp (750 kW/1,019 PS)
- Torque: 882 lb-ft (1,196 Nm)
- Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Break-in/testing: up to 500 miles road-tested before delivery
Performance expectations and real-world pace
Cadillac’s stock 2026 Escalade-V is claimed to run 0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Hennessey hasn’t published an official 0–60 time for the H1000 Escalade-V, but with a near-double output compared with stock, it’s reasonable to expect the tuned SUV to dip into the low 3-second range. In plain terms: this is no longer just a luxury people-mover—it's a performance statement that rivals earlier hypercars in raw output.
"We validated the figures on both dyno and road tests," Hennessey says, underscoring the tuner’s emphasis on measurable gains and reliability.
Market positioning and buyer considerations
Hennessey is selling the H1000 as a high-end upgrade for customers who want hypercar-level straight-line performance in a full-size luxury SUV. That said, budget matters: the base 2026 Escalade-V starts at about $168,000 before destination and dealer fees, and the H1000 price is available on request from Hennessey. Expect the total to be a significant jump—this conversion is squarely aimed at well-heeled enthusiasts.
For buyers, Hennessey includes a reassuring warranty (3 years/36,000 miles) and a rigorous 500-mile validation drive, which helps mitigate concerns about reliability when extracting extreme power from modern supercharged V8s.
Why this matters
The H1000 Escalade-V illustrates a broader trend: luxury SUVs no longer trade comfort for speed. Tuners are turning full-size SUVs into bespoke performance machines, blurring lines between luxury, utility and outright performance. For those who want a commanding presence, seven-figure-esque power and a usable interior, Hennessey’s Escalade-V conversion delivers a rare combination.
Highlights:
- Dyno-proven 1,005 hp and 882 lb-ft of torque
- H1000 and Hennessey badging with serial plaque
- 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and 500-mile testing
Interested drivers should contact Hennessey in Texas for availability and pricing. In the meantime, footage of the H1000 Escalade-V in action gives a clear sense of what this amplified luxury SUV can do on the road.
Source: autoevolution
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