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Cadillac Escalade
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1999–present
Class	Full-size luxury SUV / pickup truck

GMT400
Production	1999-2000
Assembly	Arlington, Texas
Body style(s)	4-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 Chevrolet Tahoe GMC Yukon

GMT800
Production	2002–2006
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Silao, Mexico (EXT, ESV)
Body style(s)	4-door SUV 4-door pickup truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-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	6,800 lb (3,080 kg) (ESV/EXT)
Related	Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL Hummer H2

GMT900
Production	2007–present
Assembly	Arlington, Texas Silao, Mexico (ESV)
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)
Related	Chevrolet Tahoe Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Suburban GMC Yukon GMC Yukon XL

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury sport utility vehicle 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 10 months after it was approved. The standard Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas.

The name, Escalade, is the act of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers, and was a prominent feature of siege warfare in medieval times. It was one of the most direct options available for attacking a fortification, but was also one of the most dangerous. Escalade was, in essence, an attempt to overwhelm defenders in a direct assault rather than sit through a protracted siege. Attackers would generally attempt escalade if they had reason for wanting a swift conclusion, or if they had an overwhelming superiority in numbers. Otherwise, less costly siege tactics were often preferred.

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 (a luxurious 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.

Major competitors include the Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX series, Infiniti QX56, and the Lincoln Navigator.

Contents 1 First generation (1999-2000) 2 Second generation (2002-2006) 2.1 Engines 3 Models 4 Third generation (2007-present) 4.1 Engines 4.2 Pricing 5 Escalade EXT 6 External links 7 References

The introduction of the Lincoln Navigator in 1998 necessitated that General Motors be able to compete in the burgeoning American market for full-size luxury 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 dealer lots 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). All first-generation Escalades featured Autotrac selectable 4x4.

The Escalade was not sold for the 2001 model year, but returned completely redesigned for the 2002 model year. 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 (also known as dubs) 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.

• 2002-2003 5.3 L Vortec V8, 285 hp (213 kW)
• 2004-2006 5.3 L Vortec V8, 295 hp (220 kW)
• 2002-2006 6.0 L HO Vortec V8, 345 hp (257 kW)

• 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade
• 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
• 2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV

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) 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.

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.

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 EXT has been outsold by the Lincoln Mark LT luxury pickup truck right from its launch for the 2006 model year. The new 2007 EXT, however, has gained consistently on its Lincoln competitor and edged past the latter in March, May and October 2007 sales, although still lagging slightly year-to-date. (November sales figures, as posted on the manufacturers' respective Web sites, indicate the lead for the Lincoln at just 5 vehicles for the month, while its YTD sales lead over the Cadillac amounts to 474 vehicles.)

A special Platinum ESV model will follow in 2007. GM's Active Fuel Management will come in 2008.

A Hybrid version debuted at the 2008 South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, and goes on sale in 2008 as a 2009 model. ^[1]

The Escalade can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.8 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg (16.8 L/100 km) in the city and 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) on the highway.

• 2007-present — 6.2 L Vortec 6200 V8, 403 hp (298 kW)

• 2008 Escalade EXT — US$55,255
• 2008 Escalade (Rear Wheel Drive) — US$55,775
• 2008 Escalade (All Wheel Drive) — US$58,330
• 2008 Escalade ESV — US$60,775

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 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 luxury pickup truck based on the Ford F-150. Currently, it competes with the soon-to-be-discontinued Lincoln Mark LT, another F-150-based pickup truck that made its debut in 2006.

GMT800 Cadillac Escalade EXT

2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT

• Escalade on Cadillac.com
• Cadillac Escalade Quote
• GM Truck Club
• GM-Trucks.com
• Cadillac.com/ESV
• Cadillac SUVs
• the CaddyEdge.com
• Cadillac.com/Ext
• Caddyinfo.com -
• GMT900 Gallery - FamilyCar.com
• Shaquille O'Neal's Custom Cadillac Escalade- streetgangs.com
• Cadillac Escalade Information - CadillacOwners.com

1. ^ http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewmonthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=3&docid=40761

v • d • e Cadillac, a division of General Motors, road car timeline, 1980s-present
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Entry-Level			Cimarron																								BLS
																		Catera						CTS					CTS
Mid-size	Seville						Seville						Seville						Seville							STS
Full-size	DeVille					DeVille									DeVille						DeVille						DTS
	Fleetwood					Fleetwood								Fleetwood
						Brougham
	Eldorado						Eldorado						Eldorado
Crossover																									SRX
SUV																				Escalade			Escalade					Escalade
Roadster								Allanté																	XLR