Cadillac Escalade

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Cadillac Escalade

Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1999-present
Class	Full-size SUV / pickup truck
Related	GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe

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. 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 pickup 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, Infiniti QX56, Hummer H2, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class,Lexus LX,Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover LR3 and Lincoln Navigator.^[1][2]

Contents 1 1st generation 2 2nd Generation 2.1 Engines 3 Models 4 3rd generation 4.1 2008 Updates 4.2 2009 Updates 4.3 Hybrid 5 Luxury amenities 6 Performance 6.1 Engines 6.2 Pricing 7 Escalade EXT 8 Future 9 References 10 External links

[edit] 1st generation

GMT 400

Also called	GMC Yukon Chevrolet Tahoe
Production	1999-2000
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States
Body style(s)	5-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

The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator in 1999 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 dealers 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), which was greatly underpowered compared to the Navigator's 300 hp (220 kW) and 365 lb·ft (495 N·m) 5.4 Liter InTech V-8. All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4x4.

[edit] 2nd Generation

GMT 800

Also called	Chevrolet Tahoe GMC Yukon
Production	2002-2006
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States Silao, Mexico (EXT, ESV)
Body style(s)	5-door SUV 4-door pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / all 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	5,800 lbs (ESV/EXT)
Related	Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban 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 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 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 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.

[edit] Engines

• 2002-2003 5.3 L Vortec V8, 285 horsepower (213 kW)
• 2004-2006 5.3 L Vortec V8, 295 horsepower (220 kW)
• 2002-2006 6.0 L HO Vortec V8, 345 horsepower (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] 3rd generation

GMT 900

Production	2007-present
Assembly	Arlington, Texas, United States Silao, Mexico (EXT)
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) Hybrid: 75.9 in (1928 mm)
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.
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, though the large frontal area badly affects aerodynamics.

[edit] 2008 Updates

• On the automatic trunk button, the "off" signal was changed from the letter "O" to the word "off."
• Escalade badging on the trunk lid was moved from the left side to the right.
• Seating capacity was increased to 9 passengers

[edit] 2009 Updates

• The gauges were updated
• Bluetooth hands-free interace 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) was made standard on all models.

[edit] Hybrid

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^[3] 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 mph (97 km/h) .^{[citation needed]} Power is from a 6 liter V8 engine that makes 332 hp (248 kW) at 5100 rpm and 367 lb·ft (498 N·m) at 4100 rpm.

Flex-Fuel versions will join the lineup soon as well.

[edit] Luxury amenities

Standard features of the Cadillac Escalade include air conditioning w/tri-zone climate controls, tilt wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated front and 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 liftgate, 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.

[edit] Performance

The Escalade can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.5 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 12 mpg_-US (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg_-imp) in the city and 19 mpg_-US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg_-imp) on the highway. It receives the best combined fuel economy of any large premium luxury S.U.V. in the U.S. for gasoline and gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrains in both 2 and all-wheel-drive.

[edit] Engines

• 2007-present — 6.2 L Vortec 6200 V8, 403 horsepower (301 kW)

[edit] Pricing

• 2008 Escalade EXT — US$50000

[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 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 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. It had competed with the recently discontinued Lincoln Mark LT, another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2006. It now competes with the Ford F-150 Platinum.

GMT800 Cadillac Escalade EXT

2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT

[edit] Future

General Motors has cancelled the planned replacement for the GMT900 SUVs.^[4] The automotive press has speculated that the Escalade nameplate may move to the Lambda crossover platform.^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cadillac Escalade

• Escalade on Cadillac.com
• official UK website
• GM-Trucks.com
• Cadillac.com/ESV
• Cadillac SUVs
• the CaddyEdge.com
• Cadillac.com/Ext
• 2009 Escalade Pictures

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