MEDIA INFORMATION
March, 2015
CRAFTSMANSHIP DEFINES ALL-NEW CADILLAC ESCALADE
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Finely crafted interior with greater technology
Emotional design evolution complemented by quieter cabin, smoother
performance and more efficient powertrain
Higher levels of luxury, technology, safety and comfort
Magnetic Ride Control standard on all models
Available as long wheelbase ESV for first time in Europe
ZURICH – From its introduction in 1999, the Cadillac Escalade quickly became an
iconic full-size premium SUV, with a formula of bold design, powerful capability and
luxurious accommodation. The all-new 2015 Escalade takes design and technical
elements from Cadillac’s product expansion to elevate the brand’s signature SUV.
The fourth-generation Escalade has an entirely new exterior design yet is instantly
recognizable. Inside, cut-and-sewn materials and wood trim, chosen for elegance and
authenticity, combine with the latest technologies to convey an exceptional level of
luxury.
“Cadillac's ongoing growth provides the ideal stage for the all-new Escalade to take a
major step forward,” said Johan De Nysschen, President Cadillac. “The Escalade has
always had a bold character, differentiating itself from other premium SUVs. Now, the
Escalade adds more sophistication, with advanced technology and hand-tailored
craftsmanship.”
The range includes the standard Escalade and the long wheelbase ESV edition, which
offers a 355 mm longer wheelbase and approximately 508 mm more in overall length,
maximizing space for third-row passengers and nearly double the luggage space
behind the third-row seat.
In Europe, Escalade buyers can choose between the two top collections Premium and
Platinum, offering higher levels of equipment and technology. All European models are
offered with 4WD drivetrains, as well as a new 6.2L V-8 engine which is more powerful
and more efficient than previous models.
In fact, it’s powerful enough to dispatch the standard 0 to 100 km/h benchmark in just
6.7 seconds. It delivers a combined consumption figure of 13.1 l/100 km. This
represents a greater than 10 percent increase in efficiency over the outgoing model.
Cadillac’s Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension system, is
fitted as standard, delivering precisely controlled driving performance. At its core, the
Escalade is a fully capable SUV with a 3100 kg towing capability.
Cadillac design
The Escalade’s new design provides a signature look of quality, elegance and
capability. The styling cues combine sculpted surfaces and high technology
embellishments to give the Escalade a unique appearance ensuring it stands out from
the competition.
“At a glance, it is undeniably and unmistakably a Cadillac Escalade,” said Bob
Boniface, Cadillac exterior design director. “It is powerful in size and presence, with
integrated technologies that push its design to the leading edge.”
Dynamic front styling cues are enhanced by a highly detailed Galvano chrome grille
that has a unique, almost brushed appearance. It is accented by full light-emitting
diode (LED) lights front and rear, creating a unique, razor-like vertical light signature.
LEDs provide even, steady and exceptionally bright illumination, while delivering longer
life and significantly less energy use than conventional lighting.
The headlamps incorporate the industry’s first Total Internal Reflection LED high-beam
function, which consists of four vertically stacked crystal lenses and LEDs. The low
beam consists of five crystal lenses and LEDs that create the light pattern. The
Cadillac script is branded in the headlamp bezel. Tall, thin vertical LED rear lights
reach to the top of the Escalade and feature the brand’s crest insignia, which illuminate
in the dark.
New inlaid triple sealed doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of
the body, significantly reducing cabin noise and contributing to improved aerodynamics
– an attribute that helps the Escalade slip through the air with less drag for greater
efficiency. Lightweight aluminum hood and aluminum tailgate panels help to reduce
overall mass and in turn aid efficiency.
Additional exterior features include:
 The rear is dominated by signature LED lighting extending full-height, from the
fascia to the roof. The twin, light-blade taillamps recall Cadillac’s design
heritage
 Chrome-accented side assist steps are standard, with power-retractable assist
steps with light-pipe technology available on all models
 Standard Illuminated door handles
 Standard heated, power-adjustable and power-folding mirrors
 Standard hands-free, power-programmable tailgate
 The standard rear spoiler on the tailgate houses a rear window wiper that is
hidden when not in use
 Capless fueling
 Standard 22-inch premium painted aluminum wheels.
Crafted interior
Craftsmanship defines the 2015 Escalade’s passenger space, which is designed to be
one of the industry’s most authentic and luxurious cabins – with seamless technology
integration. And like the exterior, there’s harmony with Cadillac’s other vehicles in the
cabin’s appearance, amenities and controls.
“An exceptional level of craftsmanship is found in the 2015 Escalade, and it all centers
on the premium, layered materials and extensive use of cut-and-sew live stitching –
the way fine furniture is produced,” said Eric Clough, director of design, Cadillac
Interiors. “We designed the Escalade with what we call the beauty of contrast – a
distinctive combination of bold, SUV character, but also the refinement of the Cadillac
form vocabulary and technology.”
Real wood combined with premium cut-and-sewn materials and sueded accents, along
with ambient lighting, were designed to add elegance to the interior design. Tight
tolerances of the instrument panel and door panels, precision controls and triplesealed doors were engineered and designed to reinforce a feeling of quality.
The seats were designed to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance with a
reclining second row. The design incorporates dual-density foam that ensures long-trip
comfort and helps retain appearance over time.
Additional interior features include:
 Standard keyless entry and push-button start
 Standard electric telescoping/tilting steering column and power adjustable
pedals
 Standard heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood accents
 Concealed center-stack storage with motorized door
 Standard tri-zone climate control
 Standard rear seat entertainment (DVD and Blu-Ray)
 New fold-flat second- and third-row seats, with standard power-folding third row
 Heated and cooled seats are standard in front and second-row bucket seats
have standard heat
 Three interior color choices: Jet Black, Shale/Cocoa and Kona Brown/Jet
Black.
The Escalade is also a quieter environment, thanks to a stronger body structure,
enhanced use of noise-attenuating materials and processes, including triple-sealed
doors and acoustic-laminate glass and Bose® Active Noise Cancelation technology.
Even the exterior mirrors were carefully shaped in the wind tunnel to reduce wind
noise.
Platinum – ultimate comfort and luxury
The range-topping Platinum Collection extends and upgrades the use of premium
materials within the Escalade's cut-and-sewn interior. First- and second-row seats are
wrapped in Nappa semi-aniline leather, while the dashboard, upper door panels and
center console are clad in hand-stitched and hand-wrapped leather. Customers can
choose between two distinct interior environments, each paired with sueded microfiber
headliner trim and unique exotic wood accents.
Escalade Platinum Collection is also designed to provide passengers with
unsurpassed comfort and convenience. Heated and cooled 18-way power front seats
are standard, and include a massaging function on the driver's seat. A pair of 7-inch
LCD screens, embedded in the front head rests, supplement the overhead 9-inch
screen, while a cooled center console compartment can keep beverages chilled.
Platinum models are offered in two interior themes: Jet Black or Tusca Brown both
featuring a semi-aniline leather interior, premium floor mats and Platinum-branded
door sill plates.
Infotainment and connectivity
Technology is integral to the Escalade’s driving experience. New and enhanced
features help make the Escalade controls even more intuitive.
CUE – Cadillac User Experience – is standard. It is an advanced system for
connectivity and control, featuring state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls
common with the world’s most popular tablets and mobile devices. The eight-inch
center screen uses capacitive touch technology and gesture recognition, enabling
tapping and swiping in common with smartphones and tablets.
The system also uses proximity sensors to activate common options and controls as
the user’s hand approaches. An expanded “favorites” section offers quick access to
phone contacts, navigation destinations – even digital music – in the same one-touch
form as traditional radio presets.
The instrument cluster features a reconfigurable, high-resolution 12.3-inch digital driver
information center (DIC) display paired with Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system, with
data also shown on a full-color head-up display. Along with vehicle systems
information, the DIC provides details on the audio, Bluetooth phone and navigation
systems, which can be adjusted via steering wheel controls.
Enhanced connectivity includes a new Text Messaging Alerts feature for smartphone
users with Bluetooth profile, which reads incoming texts through the vehicle’s
speakers, and Siri Eyes Free for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7 users to enhance
connectivity and convenience. Each enables voice-controlled connectivity, to help keep
phones safely stowed and hands on the wheel.
Bose® surround sound system
The 2015 Escalade features a new Bose surround sound system that is the most
advanced ever in a Cadillac. Customized exclusively for the Escalade, it features new
technologies that help heighten the sophisticated in-vehicle experience.
Proprietary technologies and 16 strategically placed speakers create a concert-like
experience throughout the cabin. Five custom-tuned speakers placed across the
instrument panel and front doors, combined with Bose Advanced Staging Technology,
help reproduce expansive sound with exceptional precision and clarity.
Further enhancing the experience is Bose Centerpoint 2 signal processing circuitry,
which enables a surround sound experience from stereo sources across all rows and
SurroundStage® signal processing circuitry, which compensates for off-center vehicle
seating to create 360-degree sound for every occupant.
A standard Blu-Ray DVD rear entertainment system is tied into the audio system and
includes a nine-inch, roof-mounted screen on Escalade and two nine-inch screens on
Escalade ESV. The overhead system also includes built-in remote storage, USB, SD
car and RCA ports.
Performance and driving experience
Escalade performance advances with an all-new, more powerful and more efficient
6.2L V-8 engine delivering 426 horsepower (313 kW) and 610 Nm of torque – a nearly
5-percent increase in power and 10-percent more torque than the outgoing engine.
The greater torque delivers an enhanced feeling of power on demand and greater
confidence when towing.
The new 6.2L engine features state-of-the-art technologies, including direct injection,
Active Fuel Management – also known as cylinder deactivation – continuously variable
valve timing and an advanced combustion system, designed to make the most of
power, torque and efficiency all across the rev range. More precisely controlled
combustion enables the Escalade to run with a higher compression ratio delivering
greater power and increased efficiency.
The engine is mated to the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with
enhanced TapShift control.
The Escalade’s performance is channeled to a more sophisticated chassis and
suspension system, engineered for a greater feeling of solidity and a quieter, smoother
ride. A fully boxed frame composed of over 75 percent high-strength steel is the
foundation for its ride quality.
Chassis and suspension highlights include:
 A wider rear track that contributes to a more planted stance
 Addition of a cross-axis ball joint on the frame-side of the rear suspension
lateral link that enhances steering precision
 Third-generation Magnetic Ride Control is standard, with two selectable modes.
Its new, dual-electric-coil design enabled engineers to tune with more
resolution to handle quickly changing road conditions
 New, electric variable-assist power steering system enhances fuel economy
and tailors steering assist to vehicle speed
 New four-wheel-disc brake system with Duralife™ brake rotors that offer up to
double the service life
 Revisions that improve pedal feel for more-confident braking performance
 New tires designed to enhance efficiency, ride quality, handling and stopping
performance
 Standard automatic locking rear differential that provides greater traction when
needed and greater driving comfort when it’s not.
A new four-wheel-drive system enables the driver to select an Auto mode for set-itand-forget-it automatic activation when conditions call for extra traction assist. A
separate 4 HI mode offers the most capability for more challenging conditions.
Safety and security measures
The Escalade’s new technologies include safety features to help protect occupants
before, during and after a collision such as the segment’s only Front Center Air Bag.
This feature deploys from the inboard side of the driver’s seat and inflates between the
driver and front passenger, providing added protection for both front occupants in sideimpact crashes.
A Driver Awareness package includes a blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, lane
change alert, forward collision alert, lane departure warning system, and the patented
safety alert seat, which pulses the left, right or both seat cushion bolsters to alert the
driver of a dangerous situation. A driver assist package adds full speed range adaptive
cruise control, intelligent brake assist and automatic seat belt tightening.
All Escalade collections feature a Surround View camera system to help increase
visibility.
The new Escalade has also been designed with greater security features to thwart
thieves, including glass breakage sensors, motion detectors and a self-leveling
inclination sensor that sounds an alarm if a thief attempts to steal wheels or tires, or
tow or lift the vehicle onto a flatbed truck.
The advanced theft protection package also includes door shields in the driver’s door,
which help block access to those using a “slim jim”-type unlocking device.
CADILLAC FAST FACT: Escalade has won J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Survey in the
US for its segment the last four years and captured J.D. Power’s Dependability Award
for 2014.
Cadillac has been a leading luxury car manufacturer since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has
engineered a historic renaissance led by innovate engineering and advanced technology. Its
European line-up includes the award-winning ATS sport saloon and coupe, the CTS large sport
saloon and the SRX crossover. This year, Cadillac is introducing the next-generation Escalade,
a large luxury SUV, which will be followed by the ATS-V high performance versions as well as
the ELR - a premium electrified coupe with extended range technology. More information on
Cadillac can be found at media.cadillaceurope.com.
CONTACT:
René Kreis
Manager Public Relations, Cadillac Europe
Phone: +41 44 828 2977
Mobile: +41 79 404 9173
rene.kreis@gm.com