Cadillac Escalade
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cadillac Escalade | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1999–present |
| Class | Full-size SUV / pickup truck |
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle (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 ten months after it was approved. The standard Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas. The name Escalade refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers.
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. Previously, the 2006 Cadillac CTS was briefly assembled in China for the local market, and the Cadillac Catera was assembled in Germany until the 2001 model year. Both the Escalade ESV (Based on the 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.
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[edit] First generation (1999-2000)
| GMT400 | |
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| Also called | GMC Yukon |
| Production | 1999-2000 |
| Assembly | Arlington, Texas |
| Body style(s) | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, four-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM GMT400 platform |
| Engine(s) | 5.7 L Vortec V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 117.5 in (2985 mm) |
| Length | 201.2 in (5110 mm) |
| Width | 77.0 in (1956 mm) |
| Height | 74.3 in (1887 mm) |
| Related | Chevrolet Suburban Chevrolet Tahoe |
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-type 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.
[edit] Second generation (2002-2006)
| GMT800 | |
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| Production | 2002–2006 |
| Assembly | Arlington, Texas Silao, Mexico (EXT, ESV) |
| Body style(s) | 4-door SUV 4-door pickup truck |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM GMT800 platform |
| Engine(s) | 5.3 L Vortec V8 6.0 L Vortec HO V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 116.0 in (2946 mm) 130.0 in (3302 mm) (ESV/EXT) |
| Length | 198.9 in (5052 mm) 221.4 in (5624 mm) (ESV/EXT) |
| Width | 78.9 in (2004 mm) 79.5 in (2019 mm) (ESV/EXT) |
| Height | 76.5 in (1943 mm) 75.7 in (1923 mm) (ESV/EXT) 75.0 in (1905 mm) (ESV Platinum) |
| Curb weight | 6,800 lb (3,080 kg) (ESV/EXT) |
| Related | Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL Hummer H2 |
There was no 2001 year Escalade sold for the 2001 model year. The lineup went directly from model year 2000 to 2002. This was done by introducing the 2002 model in January of 2001 while still selling the present production 2000 model year car. 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. Also in 2005, the Platinum edition introduced, at the price of $75.000 the Platinum Edition featured heated and cooled cup holders, 20+ chrome wheels, moon roof, three DVD screens, chrome accents on the steering wheel, and grille.
[edit] Engines
- 2002-2003 5.3 L Vortec V8, 285 hp (213 kW)
- 2004-2006 5.3 L Vortec V8, 295 hp (220 kW)
- 2002-2006 6.0 L HO Vortec V8, 345 hp (257 kW)
The HO Vortec takes premium fuel while the other two engines can take a lower grade.
[edit] Models
- 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade
- 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
- 2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2004-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum
[edit] Third generation (2007-present)
| GMT900 | |
|---|---|
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| Production | 2007–present |
| Assembly | Arlington, Texas Silao, Mexico (ESV) |
| Body style(s) | 4-door SUV 4-door pickup truck |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | GMT900 platform |
| Engine(s) | 6.2 L Vortec V8 |
| Transmission(s) | 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 116.0 in (2946 mm) 130.0 in (3302 mm) (ESV/EXT) |
| Length | 202.5 in (5144 mm) 222.9 in (5662 mm) (ESV) 222.0 in (5639 mm) (EXT) |
| Width | 79.0 in (2007 mm) 79.1 in (2009 mm) (EXT only) |
| Height | 74.7 in (1897 mm) (2WD) 74.5 in (1892 mm) (ESV/EXT) 74.3 in (1887 mm) (4WD) |
| Related | Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL |
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 affects aerodynamics.
The Escalade has gone under two minor changes for the 2008 model year. On the automatic trunk button, the "off" signal has changed from an "O" to the word "off." Also, the word "Escalade" has gone from the left side of the trunk lid to the right side. Another change was that it started seating 9.
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 pickup truck right from its launch for the 2006 model year. The new 2007 EXT, however, has gained consistently on its Lincoln competitor and edged past the latter in March, May, October and December 2007 sales, yet ending the calendar year stll lagging by 5% with 7,967 units sold [1] (Mark LT sales were 8,382) [2] A special Platinum ESV model will follow in 2007. GM's Active Fuel Management will come in 2008.
A Hybrid version debuted at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, and goes on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model. [3]
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.
[edit] Engines
- 2007-present — 6.2 L Vortec 6200 V8, 403 hp (298 kW)
[edit] Pricing
- 2008 Escalade EXT — US$55,255 ;;
[edit] 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 Ford F-150. Currently, it competes with the soon-to-be-discontinued Lincoln Mark LT, another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2006.
 GMT800 Cadillac Escalade EXT |
 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT |
[edit] Pop culture
The Escalade has quickly become an easily recognizable presence in pop culture, where it is commonly identified with hip hop culture. It has been featured in many hip hop music videos. 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 during season 5 of The Sopranos, and after wrecking it in order to avoid a raccoon in the road, he quickly replaced it with a white one. Christopher Moltisanti also gets himself a black Escalade EXT after his Maserati he got from Johnny Sacramoni was repossessed. 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. Second generation Escalades are featured in video games Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition, Need for Speed: Underground 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Escalade on Cadillac.com
- GM-Trucks.com
- Cadillac.com/ESV
- Cadillac SUVs
- the CaddyEdge.com
- Cadillac.com/Ext
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