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Cadillac Escalade
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The Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle (or SUV) 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.
After the demise of the RWD Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham sedan in 1996, the Escalade filled the void once dominated by the limousine market.
The Escalade was originally based on sister company GMC's 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 mid-1980s Cimarron were based on entry-level Chevrolet vehicles (Nova and Cavalier, respectively). As of today, the Escalade ESV (a luxurious Chevrolet Suburban), especially the 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 and Escalade EXT are made in Silao, Mexico.
The Escalade line has proven very popular with after-market tuners, who personalize vehicles for usually affluent customers. While such work is not done by the Cadillac factory, much can be ordered through a Cadillac dealer and done by third-party companies. Much like the customized Cadillacs of the 1970s (during the pimpmobile craze), popular modifications include larger wheels, increased engine performance and custom paint. Due to its expensive parts and exposure from celebrity ownership, the Escalade has also been proven to be popular with car thieves as well, becoming the most frequently stolen vehicle from 2001-2003 according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.
The Escalade 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 standup comedians. Many sports stars, especially baseball players, drive an Escalade (or other Cadillac models) as well.
Major competitors include: Mercedes-Benz G-Class (and possibly the smaller M-Class), Lexus LX series, Infiniti QX56, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator.
1999
The first Escalade was very similar to the top Denali trim of the GMC Yukon. It shared all of that truck's exterior panels, which were themselves differentiated at the front from the regular Yukon/Tahoe. Even the wheels were identical, with the GMC center caps replaced by Cadillac crests.
The Escalade also used the same 5.7 L Vortec 5700 V8 at 255 hp (190 kW). All first-generation Escalades featured all-wheel drive. For 2000, unique vertical rear doors were added.
2002
The Escalade was not offered 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 four-wheel drive and the special High-Output Vortec 6000 6.0 L V8 engine as options.
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 all made standard on all Escalades except the EXT. The 5.3 L engine was dropped for 2005 and the OnStar system was upgraded.
Engines:
- 2002-2003 5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8, 285 hp (213 kW)
- 2004 5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8, 295 hp (220 kW)
- 2002-2005 6.0 L High-Output Vortec 6000 V8, 345 hp (257 kW)
2007
The Escalade will move to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade will be 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. The pushrod engine boasts variable valve timing, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. This engine produces 403 hp (301 kW) and 417 ft·lbf (565 N·m). A new six-speed 6L80 Hydra-Matic automatic transmission will be used. The new body boasts a 0.363 drag coefficient, though the large frontal area will hurt 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 will be priced from US$57,280, though the rear wheel drive version at this price will not be produced until August. The more expensive all wheel drive version will be produced first, followed by the long wheelbase ESV and EXT pickup in June.
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 (13.8 L/100 km) on the highway.
Engines:
- 2007-present — 6.2 L Vortec 6200 V8, 400 hp (298 kW)
Pricing:
- 2007 2WD Escalade — $54,725
- 2007 Escalade EXT — $54,210
- 2007 4WD Escalade — $57,280
- 2007 Escalade ESV — $59,680
Body styles
The Cadillac Escalade comes in three body styles, the regular wagon version, the longer ESV and the EXT pickup truck.
Escalade EXT
The Escalade EXT pickup truck (released alongside its twin, the Chevrolet Avalanche) was introduced in 2002. 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.
The Escalade EXT 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.
Escalade ESV
The extended-length Escalade ESV (based on the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL) was introduced in 2003. The Escalade ESV is also Cadillac's most expensive SUV with prices ranging from $59,680 for a base Standard version to $71,050 for a top-of-the-line Escalade Platinum.
External links
- GM-Trucks.com
- GMFullSize.com
- AutoGuideWiki.com
- Cadillac.com/Esclade
- Cadillac.com/Esc
- Cadillac.com/Ext
- Caddyinfo.com - Cadillac Discussion Forum and Technical Information
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