2007 Cadillac Escalade makes its society debut

Regional celebrities , VIPs and members of the media got together last night at the lavish gala event held to celebrate the launch of the all-new 2007 Cadillac Escalade.

Attended by over 400 guests and held at the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure Centre (BIEL), the glamorous event was a melange of art, fashion and entertainment, with the highlight of the evening being the unveiling of the luxurious and stylish new Escalade.

Featuring a stunning array of live performances, including music, dance, contemporary art and dazzling acrobatic displays, the evening was a showcase of bold, provocative entertainment forms which reflected the sophistication and refinement of the iconic SUV brand.

Adding to the glamour factor of the evening, guests had the chance to view the latest haute couture designs and exclusive 'Chrome Couture' 2007 collection from Saudi-born international fashion designer Yahya Al Bishri.

Modelled by international models, hot off the Paris catwalks, the 8 one-of-a-kind creations were directly inspired by the monochromatic elegance of the new generation of Escalades.

Other acts of the evening included a mesmerising show by renowned 'performance painter' Ibara, combining music and colour to create a unique work of art. Born in Algeria to a French family of Spanish origin, Ibara has brought a truly international outlook to the art world, since his debut in 1978, transforming blank canvases into vibrant tapestries of colour and cultural relevance.

Breathtaking acrobatic shows by Franco-Italian avant-garde troupe, Les Farfadais added a unique dimension to the evening, with a performance that was an innovative fusion of nouveau cirque spectacle and mythological narrative.

The 2007 Cadillac Escalade will be available in the Middle East region in May 2006. Based on General Motors' all-new full-size SUV platform, the '07 Escalade features new powertrain, chassis, safety and interior systems. These integrated systems deliver the most powerful and most efficient luxury SUV in the segment, led by a new 6.2L all-aluminium V-8 engine with Variable Valve Timing technology delivering 441 gross horsepower (328.9 kw) @ 6000rpm and gross torque 454 lb.-ft. (615.5 Nm) @ 4400rpm. The 2007 Escalade reaches a speed of 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

The Escalade family is one of the most aspirational nameplates in the industry and attracts the most elite customers in Cadillac's portfolio of automobiles.