Escalade deliveries reach key milestone

General Motors' Regional Marketing Manager for Premium Brands, Fadi Ghosn, announced this month that regional deliveries have exceeded 2,500 units since the model was introduced to the region at the end of 2001.

"Cadillac has an exciting new image and the Escalade is currently the standard bearer - this achievement is a real milestone for the renaissance of Cadillac in the Middle East," said Ghosn. "Our current line-up in the region competes - and in many cases exceeds - that of many other manufacturers in meeting the wants of people with different tastes and budgets."

He says the high level of luxury and advanced features in the new Escalade family - the Escalade, Escalade ESV and EXT - along with the family's size, power and functionality, are the key factors behind customers' strong adoption of the line up.

"The Escalade family is helping Cadillac set a new standard for the luxury SUV market, where styling and ingenious technology put the Escalades in a class of their own," Ghosn continued. "We are working closely with our production plants and retailers to ensure that customers are not disappointed by having to wait for vehicles."

Refined luxury
The Escalade has moved Cadillac into an all-new area of the full-size luxury SUV segment, setting unprecedented standards for performance, comfort and sophistication. The Escalade family features the latest technology, dynamic designs and offers luxury and performance at a competitive price.

The sport utility Escalade EXT, with elements of a luxury SUV and a pickup, has become a bold symbol of Cadillac's reinvigoration, while Escalade ESV is considered the largest and most powerful luxury SUV available to reach the Middle East.

A full 22 inches longer than the original Escalade, the ESV's interior is stretched by more than 20 inches to provide more seating and cargo-carrying capability. It shares the same bold exterior shape and road presence of other Escalade family members.

The ESV's 6-litre high-output Vortec 6000 engine produces 345 hp at 5,200 rpm and 380 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Inside, a newly designed instrument panel and cluster place more crucial operating data in front of the driver and use new graphics to highlight Cadillac's luxury character, using Italian luxury brand Bvulgari. A redesigned 9-speaker Bose audio system offers realistic and accurate reproduction.

The ESV can accommodate eight passengers. Its seats feature soft, aromatic Nuance leather surfaces, with 10-way power cushion adjusters for the driver and passenger. The second-row offers standard reclining bucket seats, which can be flipped and folded. The third row bench seat can be folded or removed for maximum cargo flexibility.

A new dual-zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning system allows the driver and front passenger to adjust the temperature to their own comfort levels. A high level of safety and security derives from an exceptionally strong body structure, and GM's Passenger Sensing System detects if there's a small adult or baby seat in the front passenger seat and will automatically turn the front passenger side air bag off.

The line-up uses GM's next-generation StabiliTrak stability enhancement system with Computer-Controlled Road-Sensing Suspension (RSS). Cadillac's Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) also helps the driver by using audio and visual cues to convey information on the distance of objects behind the vehicle.

A Hollywood star
The arrival of the Escalade EXT has completed the line-up, bringing with it an aura of Hollywood star-power, having earlier this year featured in 'The Matrix Reloaded' in what has been acclaimed as one of the most stunning movie car-chases of all time.

It boasts top-of-the-line features including a passenger-sensing system, HID headlamps and new options such as a Panasonic DVD passenger entertainment system, along with a trailing package, tyre pressure monitoring system, sunroof, and rear seat entertainment.

Externally, the EXT is unmistakably a Cadillac with its sheer, sculpted forms and bold styling. In standard configuration, EXT offers a roomy, luxurious, comfortable five-passenger cab and a 1.57m cargo box. More cargo room is provided in a few minutes without any tools by the easily reconfigurable 'midgate' option, extending the bed to a full 2.46m. The midgate folds into the interior of the cab to transport large items, from artwork to a large screen TV.