Cadillac Escalade Gets Bigger and More Efficient for 4th Generation

The CadillacCadillacUnited States of America, 1902 > present79 models
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EscaladeCadillac EscaladeUnited States of America, 1999 > present4 series
29 versions
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and its primary competitor the Lincoln Navigator Gen.1United States of America, 1998 > 2002 popularized the idea of a luxry, full-size SUV in the United States in the late 90s. Of course, the Range RoverLand Rover Range Rover Gen.1 [Classic]United Kingdom, 1970 > 19959 versions
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predated them by decades, but it has never had near the love among Americans as the Escalade.

Cadillac’s truck is entering its fourth generationCadillac Escalade 4United States of America, 2015 > present1 Version
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, and Cadillac’s plan can by summarized in one word – more. The 2015 Escalade is longer and wider than the previous generation and gets a brand new 6.2-liter V8 engine that Cadillac is promising will offer better fuel economy and more power. The interior also gets a major technological upgrade with a digital instrument cluster and Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system.

The look of the truck is quite similar to the previous generation, except at the front where it gets the cascading LED headlights from the CTSCadillac CTS 3United States of America, 2013 > present19 versions
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and ATSCadillac ATSUnited States of America, 2013 > present17 versions
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.

“The 2015 Escalade is completely new and elevated in design and technology, inside and out. The clear objective is to once again assume the leadership position among luxury SUVs,” said Cadillac President Bob Ferguson.

At introduction there will be two body styles for the Escalade. The standard body is 203.9in (5180mm) long, 1.4in longer than the previous generation, and the larger ESV version is 224.3in (5698mm) long, also 1.4in longer than the last generation. The ESV offers 60% more cargo room than the regular body.

The new 6.2-liter V8 makes 420hp and 460lb-ft of torque, compared to 403hp from the previous generation’s 6.2-liter V8. It is promising that the new engine will offer better fuel economy but is not saying how much better. The only available transmission will be a six-speed automatic, and it will be offered with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control dampers are standard equipment.

The new Escalade gets a complete rethink on its interior. Cadillac has added higher quality leather, word trim options, more comfortable seats, more sound deadening and active noise cancellation. It also gets the latest generation of the CUE infotainment system with voice recognition and touch controls. There is also a new 12.3in digital gauge cluster with four selectable themes by the driver and optional head-up display. The front passengers have 1.5in (44mm) more headroom and 4in (101mm) more leg room compared to the previous generation.  The front seats are heated and cooled as standard, and the second-row seats are heated.

Production of the new Escalade will not begin until spring 2014 and sales will start in the early summer.