With 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque at its disposal, the brand-new 2015 Cadillac Escalade leads the full-size luxury->ke505 SUV->ke145 segment in terms of power. But if that's not enough for you, then you'll be happy to learn that the folks over at Hennessey Performance->ke1863 have taken the V-8's output even further.

Using its new HPE550 package, the Texas-based specialist upgraded the 6.2-liter mill to deliver 557 horsepower and 542 pound-feet of torque, which translates into 32 percent and 18 percent increases respectively. As with most Hennessey tweaks, the package also includes an air-to-water intercooler system and engine management recalibration.

In a conversation with John Hennessey, the company expects one-second faster 0-to-60 and quarter-mile times, but they won't have the official numbers until testing is completed in late-May 2014. By our estimates, this would put it at around five seconds flat. We will bring you the official numbers as soon as they become available. Top speed, however, will likely not be affected by the HPE550 kit, due to the electronic limiter on the Escalade.

The SUV's exterior, however, remains unchanged, save for a set of lightweight Hennessey H10 forged, monoblock wheels that can be ordered separately for a hefty $6,950. The 20-inch rollers are supposed to allow more power to reach the pavement, thanks to their reduced rotating mass, which could mean a slight acceleration improvement.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Cadillac Escalade HPE550.

2015 Cadillac Escalade HPE550 By Hennessey

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Cadillac Escalade HPE550 By Hennessey
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 557 @ 5500
  • Torque: 542 @ 4200
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

The HPE550 package for the 2015 Cadillac Escalade is available as we speak for $15,950, including a 3-year or 36,000-mile warranty, through any authorized Hennessey dealership. With the SUV priced from $71,695, the base Escalade HPE550 starts at $87,640 before the H10 wheels. However, the beefed-up SUV could fetch more than $100,000 when the Escalade is selected with the longer ESV body in Premium trim and with four-wheel drive.

Additionally, Hennessey also revealed that the HPE550 tune is available for other GM vehicles powered by the 6.2-liter V-8, including the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali SUV and the 2014-2015 GMC Sierra and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks->ke242.

2015 Cadillac Escalade

Overhauled inside and out, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade embraces the brand's new signature exterior design with a new, large front grille and vertical LED headlamps. The revamped interior provides a new design and more luxury, as well as Caddy's latest in terms of technology.

The 2015 Escalade is available in two sizes, the regular model and the slightly longer ESV, each offered in three trim levels - Standard, Luxury and Premium. The optional all-wheel-drive system can be fitted on all versions of the SUV.