Cadillac Escalade
Encyclopedia
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 Japan
ese 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 Escalade is built in Arlington
, Texas
, USA. The name Escalade
refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege tower
s.
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. Today, the Escalade and Escalade EXT pickup are two of only three Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States
. Both the Escalade ESV (Based on the Chevrolet Suburban
) and Escalade EXT (based on the Avalanche sport utility truck
) were made in Silao
, Mexico
, before the 2006 redesign; the new Escalade ESV is sourced from Arlington, Texas. The Escalade competes with the Range Rover Sport
, Infiniti QX56, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
, Lexus LX
, Toyota Land Cruiser
, Land Rover LR3
and Lincoln Navigator
.
The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator
in the 1998 model year necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury-type trucks. 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 dealers quickly. Essentially little more than a badge-engineered
GMC Yukon Denali
, the SUV's aesthetics were similar to the Denali and the final vehicle was smaller than the Navigator. The Escalade's under 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), which was underpowered compared to the Navigator's 300 hp and 365 lbft 5.4 Liter InTech V-8. All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4x4. The interior featured all leather seats with the Escalade logo sprinkled all over the car. It also had a Bose
surround system–a first for SUVs. The Escalade also used a slightly different gauge cluster from the standard Tahoes/Yukons. The Escalade gauges featured white needles instead of the standard orange and the speedometer reads to 120 mph.
According to information from the Highway Loss Data Institute, the Cadillac Escalade is the most stolen vehicle in the U.S.
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 were offered, and XM Satellite Radio
, second-row bucket seat
s, 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 was introduced at the price of $71,025; it featured heated and cooled cup holders, 20 inch chrome wheels, moon roof, three DVD screens, and chrome accents on the steering wheel and grille.
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 sport utility truck. The 2007 Escalade was the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL
, with MVP
Hines Ward
being awarded one of the first Escalades produced.
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 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
) (23 hp more than its sister competitor, the GMC Yukon Denali) 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. In 2010, the Cadillac Escalade's base price was $62,500 for a RWD model, and $65,200 for an AWD model.
MY09
A Hybrid
version of the luxury vehicle debuted at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show
in Miami, and went on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model at a starting price of $74,085 for a two-wheel drive model. In August, 20% of Cadillac Escalade sales were hybrids.
The Escalade Hybrid takes 8.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mi/h . Power is from a 6 liter V8 engine that makes 332 hp at 5,100 rpm and 367 lbft at 4,100 rpm.
Flex-Fuel
versions have also joined the lineup.
Eli Manning
received an Escalade Hybrid for being the 2007 Superbowl MVP.
) 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 door
s and seating for five. The EXT was only offered with the 6.0 L
V8
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 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. It had competed with the Lincoln Mark LT
(now discontinued in the United States
and Canada
), another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2005. It now competes with the Ford F-150 Platinum, which is still known as the Lincoln Mark LT in Mexico
.
In 2008, Cadillac offered the Platinum Edition on its redesigned Escalade and Escalade ESV models. It includes such features as a unique front fascia and grille, heated and cooled cup holders, limited edition 22" wheels, additional chrome pieces and accents, 2 additional DVD monitors- located in the headrests of each front seat, special hand stitched leathers, real aluminum interior accents, Advanced Magnetic Ride Control system, genuine olive ash and burled walnut wood interior trim, and LED headlamps.
In 2009, Cadillac released a Hybrid Platinum Escalade.
On February 13, 2010, according to a report on Autoblog.com, GM has reissued a redesign on the GM fullsize SUV lineup, including the Escalade, for a 2013 release due to increased SUV sales.
Full-size car
A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car. In the United States, the EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars....
luxury sport utility vehicle
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
(SUV) sold by the General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
luxury brand, Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
. 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
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese competitors and to Ford's
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
1998 release of the Lincoln Navigator
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV built by the Ford Motor Company for its luxury division, Lincoln. Introduced as a 1998 model, production began May 14, 1997 with sales beginning in August. The Navigator was Lincoln's first SUV as well as its first four-wheel drive capable vehicle...
. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built in Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA. The name Escalade
Escalade
Escalade is the act of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders, and was a prominent feature of siege warfare in medieval times...
refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege tower
Siege tower
A siege tower is a specialized siege engine, constructed to protect assailants and ladders while approaching the defensive walls of a fortification. The tower was often rectangular with four wheels with its height roughly equal to that of the wall or sometimes higher to allow archers to stand on...
s.
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. Today, the Escalade and Escalade EXT pickup are two of only three Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Both the Escalade ESV (Based on the Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants....
) and Escalade EXT (based on the Avalanche sport utility truck
Chevrolet Avalanche
The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, five or six passenger sport utility truck sharing GM's long-wheelbase chassis used on the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade EXT. Unlike the typical pickup truck, the open bed of the Avalanche opens to the back seat area through a folding panel and a...
) were made in Silao
Silao
Silao is a city in the west-central part of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. It is the seat of the municipio with the same name. As of the 2005 census, the city had a population of 147,123, making it the seventh-largest community in the state...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, before the 2006 redesign; the new Escalade ESV is sourced from Arlington, Texas. The Escalade competes with the Range Rover Sport
Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport is a luxury-type sport utility vehicle produced by the Jaguar Land Rover business unit of India's Tata Motors.-Chassis:...
, Infiniti QX56, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a full-size crossover SUV built by the German carmaker Mercedes-Benz since 2006. The GL-Class debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The car was designed for the American market, which is shown by its large size, making it the only similarly sized...
, Lexus LX
Lexus LX
The Lexus LX is a full-size sport utility vehicle sold by Lexus since 1996. Three generations of the Lexus LX have been produced, all based heavily on the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser series of SUVs. The first generation LX 450 debuted in 1996 as Lexus' first entry into the SUV market. Its...
, Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Land Cruiser
The is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. It is not related to the Studebaker Land Cruiser car produced in the US from 1934-1954....
, Land Rover LR3
Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1989. The company code-named the vehicle "Project Jay". The new model was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the more upmarket Range Rover, but with a lower price aimed at a larger market segment and intended to compete with Japanese...
and Lincoln Navigator
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV built by the Ford Motor Company for its luxury division, Lincoln. Introduced as a 1998 model, production began May 14, 1997 with sales beginning in August. The Navigator was Lincoln's first SUV as well as its first four-wheel drive capable vehicle...
.
First generation
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV built by the Ford Motor Company for its luxury division, Lincoln. Introduced as a 1998 model, production began May 14, 1997 with sales beginning in August. The Navigator was Lincoln's first SUV as well as its first four-wheel drive capable vehicle...
in the 1998 model year necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury-type trucks. 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 dealers quickly. Essentially little more than a badge-engineered
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
GMC Yukon Denali
GMC Denali
The GMC Denali nameplate is used by General Motors' heavy truck division, GMC, on its top-of-the-line. The name applies to the top version of all SUVs as well as pick-up trucks in the GMC line-up. Vehicles with the Denali trim option carry MSRPs up to 43% higher than those of the regular models...
, the SUV's aesthetics were similar to the Denali and the final vehicle was smaller than the Navigator. The Escalade's under 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
Litér
- External links :*...
Vortec 5700 V8 at 255 hp
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(190 kW), which was underpowered compared to the Navigator's 300 hp and 365 lbft 5.4 Liter InTech V-8. All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4x4. The interior featured all leather seats with the Escalade logo sprinkled all over the car. It also had a Bose
Bose
Bose may refer to:* Amar Gopal Bose, the chairman and founder of Bose Corporation* Baise City, or Bose, a prefecture-level city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China* Bose Corporation, an audio company* Bose , a lunar crater...
surround system–a first for SUVs. The Escalade also used a slightly different gauge cluster from the standard Tahoes/Yukons. The Escalade gauges featured white needles instead of the standard orange and the speedometer reads to 120 mph.
According to information from the Highway Loss Data Institute, the Cadillac Escalade is the most stolen vehicle in the U.S.
Second generation
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 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 engineV8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
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
Chrome plating
Chrome plating, often referred to simply as chrome, is a technique of electroplating a thin layer of chromium onto a metal object. The chromed layer can be decorative, provide corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures, or increase surface hardness.-Process:A component to be chrome plated will...
wheels were offered, and XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
, second-row bucket seat
Bucket seat
A bucket seat is a seat contoured to hold one person, distinct from bench seats which are flat platforms designed to seat multiple people. Bucket seats are standard in fast cars to keep riders in place when making sharp or quick turns...
s, 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
OnStar
OnStar Corporation is a subsidiary of General Motors that provides subscription-based communications, in-vehicle security, hands free calling, turn-by-turn navigation, and remote diagnostics systems throughout the United States, Canada and China. A similar service is known as ChevyStar in Latin...
system was upgraded. Also in 2005, the Platinum edition was introduced at the price of $71,025; it featured heated and cooled cup holders, 20 inch chrome wheels, moon roof, three DVD screens, and chrome accents on the steering wheel and grille.
Engines
- 2002–2003 5.3L LM7 VortecGM Vortec engineVortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. The name first appeared in 1988 on a 4.3 L V6 that used "vortex technology" to create a vortex inside the combustion chamber, creating a better air/fuel mix. Now its used on a wide range of different engines...
V8, 285 hp - 2004–2006 5.3L LM7 Vortec V8, 295 hp
- 2002–2006 6.0L LQ9 HO Vortec V8, 345 hp
Specification levels
- 2002–2006 Cadillac Escalade
- 2002–2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
- 2003–2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2004–2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum
Third generation
GMT900
The GMT900 truck platform debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, as basis for the next generation of General Motors full-size pickups and SUVs, and replacements for the GMT800 vehicles...
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 sport utility truck. The 2007 Escalade was the official vehicle of Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
, with MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
Hines Ward
Hines Ward
Hines E. Ward, Jr. is an American football player who currently plays the wide receiver position for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, where he is the longest-tenured current player on the team. He was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL. He played college football at the University of Georgia...
being awarded one of the first Escalades produced.
Production of the redesigned Escalade began at Arlington Assembly
Arlington Assembly
Arlington Assembly is a General Motors automobile factory in Arlington, Texas. The plant has operated for more than 50 years, and today manufactures large SUVs based on GM's GMT900 platform:* Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon* Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL...
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
Silao
Silao is a city in the west-central part of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. It is the seat of the municipio with the same name. As of the 2005 census, the city had a population of 147,123, making it the seventh-largest community in the state...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, plant) in June.
The Escalade uses an all-aluminum 6.2 L Vortec
GM Vortec engine
Vortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. The name first appeared in 1988 on a 4.3 L V6 that used "vortex technology" to create a vortex inside the combustion chamber, creating a better air/fuel mix. Now its used on a wide range of different engines...
V8. This pushrod engine includes variable valve timing
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
, a first in a mass-produced non-overhead cam engine. The system adjusts both intake and exhaust timing between two settings. The engine
Internal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
produces 403 hp (301 kW
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
) (23 hp more than its sister competitor, the GMC Yukon Denali) and 417 ft·lbf (565 N·m) of torque. A new six-speed 6L80
GM 6L80 transmission
The 6L80 is a 6-speed automatic transmission built by General Motors at their Willow Run Transmission plant, in Ypsilanti, MI. It was introduced in late 2005, and is very similar in design to the smaller 6L45/6L50, produced at GM Powertrain in Strasbourg, France...
automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
is used. The new body completes a 0.363 drag coefficient. In 2010, the Cadillac Escalade's base price was $62,500 for a RWD model, and $65,200 for an AWD model.
Engines
- 2007–present — 6.2 L Vortec 6200 V8, 403 hp
Standard Features
Standard features of the Cadillac Escalade include air conditioning w/tri-zone climate controls, tilt faux wood & real leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front seats and heated 2nd-row seats, 14-way power front seats, memory system, remote engine start, premium sound system, 6-disc CD changer, rear radio controls, compass, power lift-gate, and outside-temperature indicator. The Platinum adds on a DVD entertainment system, navigation system, heated and cooled cupholders, rearview camera, cooled front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and power-retractable running boards.Updates
MY08- On the automatic trunk button, the "off" signal was changed from the Number "0" (Zero) to the word "off."
- Escalade badging on the trunk lid was moved from the left side to the right.
- Seating capacity was increased to 8 passengers
MY09
- The gauges were updated
- A newly re-designed remote for keyless entry was introduced to further distinguish it from the Chevrolet TahoeChevrolet TahoeThe Chevrolet Tahoe are full-size SUVs from General Motors. Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their Blazer/Jimmy model names through the early 1990s. This situation changed when GMC rebadged the full-size Jimmy as the Yukon in 1992...
/GMC Denali siblings. - Bluetooth hands-free interface was made standard.
- A power tilt steering wheel was made standard.
- The Satellite Navigation System (optional) now added instant traffic updates and re-routing options.
- Side Zone Blind Spot Alert was made standard.
- GM's Magnetic Ride Control (MRC, or "MagneRide") was made standard on all models.
Hybrid
Hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles , which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.-Power:...
version of the luxury vehicle debuted at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show
South Florida Auto Show
Since 1971, the South Florida International Auto Show is held every year in Miami Beach, Florida. The date varies, but is usually between the last week in October and first week in December. This show is one of the most prominent auto shows in the United States. The 10-day event averages over...
in Miami, and went on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model at a starting price of $74,085 for a two-wheel drive model. In August, 20% of Cadillac Escalade sales were hybrids.
The Escalade Hybrid takes 8.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mi/h . Power is from a 6 liter V8 engine that makes 332 hp at 5,100 rpm and 367 lbft at 4,100 rpm.
Flex-Fuel
Flexible-fuel vehicle
A flexible-fuel vehicle or dual-fuel vehicle is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol fuel, and both fuels are stored in the same common tank...
versions have also joined the lineup.
Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
received an Escalade Hybrid for being the 2007 Superbowl MVP.
Escalade EXT
The Escalade EXT sport utility truck (released alongside its twin, the Chevrolet AvalancheChevrolet Avalanche
The Chevrolet Avalanche is a four-door, five or six passenger sport utility truck sharing GM's long-wheelbase chassis used on the Chevrolet Suburban and Cadillac Escalade EXT. Unlike the typical pickup truck, the open bed of the Avalanche opens to the back seat area through a folding panel and a...
) was introduced in 2002 from the Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
division of General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
. 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 door
Door
A door is a movable structure used to open and close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates inside of a space....
s and seating for five. The EXT was only offered with the 6.0 L
Litér
- External links :*...
V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
High Output engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
. High-intensity discharge headlights were offered for 2003. The Escalade EXT also appears in the movie, The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded
The Matrix Reloaded is a 2003 American science fiction film and the second installment in The Matrix trilogy, written and directed by the Wachowskis. It premiered on May 7, 2003, in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, and went on general release by Warner Bros. in North American theaters on May 15,...
along with the CTS
Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size car manufactured by the Cadillac marque of General Motors currently available in three body styles: Sedan, Coupe, and Sport Wagon. It was introduced in 2002 as a sports sedan, replacing the Cadillac Catera. The CTS and the supercharged CTS-V variant have been named...
in product placement
Product placement
Product placement, or embedded marketing, is a form of advertisement, where branded goods or services are placed in a context usually devoid of ads, such as movies, music videos, the story line of television shows, or news programs. The product placement is often not disclosed at the time that the...
ads. All Escalade EXTs are built in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
The Escalade EXT (based on the Cadillac Escalade) was created as a direct competitor to the failed Lincoln Blackwood
Lincoln Blackwood
The Blackwood was a pickup truck from the Lincoln division of American automaker Ford Motor Company. It sold in the United States in 2002 only, and sold in Mexico 2002 and 2003....
, a pickup truck based on the Ford F-150. It had competed with the Lincoln Mark LT
Lincoln Mark LT
The Mark LT is a luxury pickup truck that was manufactured by the Lincoln division of American automaker Ford Motor Company. It first went on sale in January 2005 for the 2006 model year. The Mark LT is a successor to the failed 2002-only Lincoln Blackwood , Lincoln's only other pickup truck, which...
(now discontinued in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
), another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2005. It now competes with the Ford F-150 Platinum, which is still known as the Lincoln Mark LT in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Platinum
In 2005, Cadillac released its first version of the Platinum Escalade. It was only available in the ESV model. It had such features as heated and ventilated Seats (front and back), heated and ventilated cup holders, special 20" wheels, special leathers and interior design, extra labeling and HID headlamps.In 2008, Cadillac offered the Platinum Edition on its redesigned Escalade and Escalade ESV models. It includes such features as a unique front fascia and grille, heated and cooled cup holders, limited edition 22" wheels, additional chrome pieces and accents, 2 additional DVD monitors- located in the headrests of each front seat, special hand stitched leathers, real aluminum interior accents, Advanced Magnetic Ride Control system, genuine olive ash and burled walnut wood interior trim, and LED headlamps.
In 2009, Cadillac released a Hybrid Platinum Escalade.
Future
General Motors has announced it is currently working on its fullsize SUV replacements. A Lambda based Cadillac will go into production to complement the new Escalade, not replace it.On February 13, 2010, according to a report on Autoblog.com, GM has reissued a redesign on the GM fullsize SUV lineup, including the Escalade, for a 2013 release due to increased SUV sales.
U.S. sales
| Calendar Year | Escalade | EXT | ESV | Total U.S. sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 3,089 | – | – | 3,089 |
| 1999 | 23,897 | – | – | 23,897 |
| 2000 | 23,346 | – | – | 23,346 |
| 2001 | 31,270 | 546 | – | 31,816 |
| 2002 | 36,114 | 13,494 | 36 | 49,644 |
| 2003 | 35,621 | 11,256 | 12,866 | 59,743 |
| 2004 | 36,994 | 9,638 | 15,618 | 62,250 |
| 2005 | 29,876 | 7,766 | 13,502 | 51,144 |
| 2006 | 39,017 | 7,019 | 16,170 | 62,206 |
| 2007 | 36,654 | 7,967 | 16,370 | 60,991 |
| 2008 | 23,947 | 4,709 | 11,054 | 39,710 |
| 2009 | 16,873 | 2,423 | 6,588 | 25,884 |
| 2010 | 16,118 | 2,082 | 8,674 | 26,874 |