CADILLAC ESCALADE

VEHICLE - CADILLAC ESCALADE
REGISTRATION - 393221
LOCATION - QATAR UNIVERSITY
DATE - 21.09.2008
THE PROUD OWNER/USER - NOT YET KNOWN

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. The two main competitors of the $55,000 Escalade (2008) are the GMC Yukon Denali (MSRP of $50,000) and the Infiniti QX56 (MSRP of $52,000). Other similar SUV's that aren't quite as luxurious, pricy, or powerful (but still somewhat similar in those categories) include the Lincoln Navigator (MSRP of $46,000), the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (MSRP of $54,000), and the Audi Q7 (MSRP of $44,000).

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 (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.

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.