The 2007 EscaladePERHAPS BECAUSE of its popularity in hip hop circles, Cadillac's Escalade has acquired a certain cult following in Jamaica. Local fans should be pleased with the 2007 Escalade. Indeed, in its first full month on the market in February, sales topped 1,500 units in the U.S., far ahead of projections, with dealers reporting extremely low inventory levels.
Cadillac's 'art and science' design team enjoyed unrestricted licence with the 2007 Escalade.
Angles are sharper, the sheet metal is pulled tight, and the family resemblance to the midsize SRX is strong. The Cadillac Sixteen concept provided the inspiration for the 16-section, cross-hatch grille. Panel gaps are noticeably tighter, especially around the bumpers, which now attach to the body instead of the frame.
COMPLETELY NEW UNDERNEATH
Take a walk around the '07 Escalade and it's basically the same size as its predecessor. But, the platform is completely new. Along with the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, this new Escalade rides on a fully boxed frame with hydroformed rails in the front and rear. According to David Schiavone, product manager for the Escalade, bending rigidity has improved 35 per cent, and torsional rigidity is up 49 per cent.
Overall length measures 202.5 inches, an increase of 3.5 inches over last year, while wheelbase, width and height are the same. Cadillac announces that the full Escalade line-up including the extended length ESV and EXT models are nearing launch. The extended-length EXT and ESV models give Cadillac the most complete line-up in the full-size luxury SUV category.
The 2007 Escalade ESV,
21-inches longer than the standard Escalade, enters dealerships later this spring. At the same time, Cadillac will launch the new version of its Escalade EXT, the luxury sport utility truck that features an innovative reconfigurable pickup-style cargo area. Like the standard-length Escalade in dealerships now, all models will initially be all-wheel-drive versions featuring class-leading power (403-horsepower). A base model for only the standard-length Escalade, in a two-wheel drive configuration, launches this summer as the final member of the 2007 Escalade family.
MANY NEW STANDARD FEATURES
Pricing for the 2007 Escalade family is essentially unchanged from the 2006 versions, a compelling value considering the redesigned 2007 models include many new standard features such as a power liftgate, head curtain side air bags for all three seating rows, remote start, class-leading power and fuel efficiency and an all-new interior. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Escalade line-up (all prices include $875 destination charge) ranges between $54,725 and $59,680
"Escalade has been the leader among large luxury SUVs, in terms of sales, image and performance," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "The 2007 Escalade family extends that leadership. Cadillac offers more dramatic design, more performance, more body styles, more functionality and better fuel economy and value than anyone else in the full-size luxury SUV market."
There's quite a bit of chrome detailing from the grille to the gratuitous fender vents to the body-side moulding but Cadillac officials are careful to note that they didn't overdo it. During the design process, says Mary Sipes, vehicle line manager for all GM full-size SUVs, "we asked our customers, 'Is this a tasteful amount of bling'?"
That hip hop mentality has also driven Cadillac to refer to the car's wheels as 'rims' in the dealer brochure. Word up, Cadizzle.
Source: www.autointel.com and www.edmunds.com.
