Cars - Cadillac Escalade

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	Cars - Cadillac Escalade

The Escalade is a large sport utility vehicle (or 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 10 months after it was approved. The standard Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas.

The Escalade was originally based on sister company GMC's 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 mid-1980s Cimarron were based on entry-level Chevrolet vehicles. As of today, the Escalade ESV (a luxurious Chevrolet Suburban), especially the Escalade EXT pickup are, together with the Cadillac BLS, the only Cadillac vehicles made outside of the United States, since the demise of the German-built Cadillac Catera in 2001. Both the Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT are made in Silao, Mexico.

The Escalade line has proven very popular with after-market tuners, who personalize vehicles for usually affluent customers. While such work is not done by the Cadillac factory, much can be ordered through a Cadillac dealer and done by third-party companies. Popular modifications include larger wheels, increased engine performance and custom paint. Due to its expensive parts and exposure from celebrity ownership, the Escalade has also been proven to be popular with car thieves as well, becoming the most frequently stolen vehicle from 2001-2003 according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Major competitors include: Mercedes-Benz G-Class (and possibly the smaller M-Class), BMW X5, Lexus LX series, Infiniti QX56, Lincoln Navigator.

1999

The first Escalade was very similar to the top Denali
trim of the GMC Yukon. It shared all of that truck's exterior panels, which were themselves differentiated at the front from the regular Yukon/Tahoe. Even the wheels were identical, with the GMC center caps replaced by Cadillac crests.

The Escalade also used the same 5.7 L Vortec 5700 V8 at 255 hp (190 kW). All first-generation Escalades featured all-wheel drive. For 2000, unique vertical rear doors were added.

2002

The Escalade was not offered 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 four-wheel drive and the special High-Output Vortec 6000 6.0 L V8 engine as options.

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 all made standard on all Escalades except the EXT. The 5.3 L engine was dropped for 2005 and the OnStar system was upgraded.

Engines:

2002-2003 5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8, 285 hp (213 kW)
2004 5.3 L Vortec 5300 V8, 295 hp (220 kW)
2002-2005 6.0 L High-Output Vortec 6000 V8, 345 hp (257 kW)

2007

The Escalade will move to the new GMT900 platform for the 2007 model year. Its introduction was accelerated as sales began slipping. The regular Escalade will be 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.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Cadillac Escalade ]

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Cars - Cadillac Escalade

1999

2002

2007

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