Cadillac Escalade

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Cadillac Escalade
File:2007-Cadillac-Escalade.jpg
ManufacturerCadillac
Parent companyGeneral Motors
Production1999–present
ClassFull-size luxury SUV

Template:Infobox Automobile generation Template:Infobox Automobile generation Template:Infobox Automobile generation

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle sold by the General Motors luxury brand, Cadillac. It was the division's first major entry into the popular SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to German and Japanese competitors and to Ford's 1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only 10 months after it was approved. The standard Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas.

The Escalade was originally based on the GMC Yukon Denali, but was redesigned for the 2002 model year to make its appearance fall more in line with Cadillac's new design theme. The Escalade was not the first Chevrolet-based Cadillac: the first generation Seville and the 1980s Cimarron were based on entry-level Chevrolet vehicles (the Nova and Cavalier, respectively). As of today, the Escalade and Escalade EXT pickup are, together with the Cadillac BLS, the only Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States since the demise of the German-built Cadillac Catera in 2001. Both the Escalade ESV (a luxurious Chevrolet Suburban) and Escalade EXT (based on the Avalanche pickup truck) were made in Silao, Mexico before the 2006 redesign; the new Escalade ESV is sourced from Arlington, Texas.

Major competitors include the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Lexus LX series, Infiniti QX56, and the Lincoln Navigator

Table of contents

First generation (1999-2000)

The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator in 1998 necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury sport utility vehicles. This generation was only a five-seat SUV. The first Escalade was a largely unsuccessful endeavor from the start. Fearing the growing hegemony of the Lincoln Navigator, the Escalade was rushed through the design process to reach dealer lots quickly. Essentially little more than a badge-engineered GMC Yukon Denali, the SUV's aesthetics were similar and identical to the Denali and the final vehicle was smaller than the Navigator. The Escalade's wheels were borrowed from the Denali line, with the GMC logos on the center caps replaced with Cadillac's crest. The Escalade also used the same 5.7 L Vortec 5700 V8 at 255 hp (190 kW). All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4x4.

Second generation (2002-2006)

File:2nd-Cadillac Escalade.jpg
GMT800 Escalade
File:2003-06 Cadillac Escalade ESV.jpg
GMT800 Escalade ESV
The Escalade was not sold for the 2001 model year, but returned completely redesigned for the 2002 model year. Rear-wheel drive was standard, as was a 5.3 L V8, with all-wheel drive and the special high-output Vortec 6.0 L V8 engine as options. All models (except for the EXT) began seating 8 people.

The "StabiliTrak" stability control system was upgraded to a four-wheel version for 2003 and power-adjustable pedals were added. For 2004, 20-inch chrome wheels (also known as dubs) were offered, and XM Satellite Radio, second-row bucket seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system were made standard on all Escalades except the EXT. The 5.3 L engine was dropped for 2005 and the OnStar system was upgraded.

Engines

Models

  • 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  • 2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Third generation (2007-2008)

The Escalade moved to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade was again joined by a stretched ESV version as well as a new EXT pickup truck. The 2007 Escalade was the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL, with MVP Hines Ward being awarded one of the first Escalades produced.

The Escalade uses an all-aluminum 6.2 L Vortec V8. This pushrod engine includes variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. The engine produces 403 hp (301 kW) and 417 ft·lbf (565 N·m) of torque. A new six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission is used. The new body completes a 0.363 drag coefficient, though the large frontal area badly effects aerodynamics.

One major new feature absent from the production vehicle is American Axle's "I-Ride" rear independent suspension module. Instead, a conventional five-link suspension is used.

Production of the redesigned Escalade began at Arlington Assembly in January 2006. It is priced from US$57,280, though the rear-wheel drive version at this price was not produced until August. The more expensive all-wheel drive version was produced first, followed by the long wheelbase ESV and EXT pickup (the latter sourced from the Silao, Mexico, plant) in June.

The Escalade EXT has been outsold by the Lincoln Mark LT luxury pickup truck right from its launch for the 2005 model year. The new 2007 EXT, however, has gained consistently on its Lincoln competitor and edged past the latter in March and May 2007 sales, although still lagging slightly year-to-date.

A special Platinum ESV model will follow in 2007. GM's Active Fuel Management will come in 2008.

The Escalade can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) in the city and 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) on the highway.

Engines

Pricing

  • 2007 Escalade EXT — US$54,210
  • 2007 Escalade (Rear Wheel Drive) — US$54,725
  • 2007 Escalade (All Wheel Drive) — US$57,280
  • 2007 Escalade ESV — US$59,680

Escalade EXT

File:2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT.JPG
2003 Escalade EXT

The Escalade EXT pickup truck (released alongside its twin, the Chevrolet Avalanche) was introduced in 2002 from the Cadillac division of General Motors. It features a "Convert-a-Cab" composite pickup bed that can be expanded into the truck's cab through a bottom-hinged door. Like the Avalanche, the EXT has four full-size doors and seating for five. The EXT was only offered with the 6.0 L High Output engine. high-intensity discharge headlights were offered for 2003. The Escalade EXT also appears in the movie, The Matrix Reloaded along with the CTS in product placement ads. All Escalade EXTs are built in Silao, Mexico.

The Escalade EXT (based on the Cadillac Escalade) was created as a direct competitor to the failed Lincoln Blackwood, a pickup truck based on the Navigator SUV. Currently, it competes with the Lincoln Mark LT, another Navigator-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2006.

Pop culture

The Escalade has quickly become an easily recognizable presence in pop culture. It has been featured in many hip hop music videos, and it may have been the reason for Cadillac's recent popularity among the urban demographic. Comedian Bernie Mac drives an Escalade on his hit sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show, continuing the brand's popularity among TV stars and stand up comedians. Tony Soprano began driving a black Escalade on The Sopranos, but after wrecking it in order to avoid a racoon in the road, he replaced it with a white Escalade. The Escalade was also mentioned in an episode of Family Guy as God's vehicle of choice. Also, the Twins in the Matrix Reloaded drive an Escalade EXT in the car chase sequence. Kendra Wilkinson, one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends, drives an Escalade and she is often seen driving it and car-washing on the E! reality show The Girls Next Door. First generation Escalades are featured in video games Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition and Need for Speed: Underground 2

External links

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