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    William Maley

    Cadillac Escala Concepts Previews the Future of Brand's Design

      Cadillac reveals what a flagship sedan from them could look like


    The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has become an auto show of sorts in the past few years with luxury automakers showing off concepts and new models. Cadillac has used the event to show off various concepts such as the Ciel and Elmiraj. Last night, they revealed the Escala concept.

     

    “Escala is a concept with two clear objectives. First, Escala is a statement of intent for the next iteration of the Cadillac design language, and also technical concepts in development for future Cadillac models. Secondly, Escala builds Cadillac’s aspirational character, signaling the brand’s return to the pinnacle of premium,” said Johan de Nysschen, president of Cadillac.

     

    Escala (Spanish for scale) provides a preview as to Cadillac's future in terms of design and a possible idea to a long-rumored flagship. The overall profile reminds us of the Audi A7 with a coupe-like roofline and liftback. The front end features a new grille design and slimmed down chrome surround. Flanking either side of the grille are slim headlights with organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology.

     

    Size-wise, the Escala is 6.5 inches longer, 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches in the rear; and rides on a 4.5 inch longer wheelbase when compared to the CT6.

     

    The Escala's interior is a feast for the eyes. Cadillac describes it as having a “dual personality”. The front is focused on technology with three curved OLED screens that consolidate the instrument cluster and center stack into one unit. The back is focused on comfort with seating for two and a panaromic sunroof.

     

    Under the hood lies a brand new 4.2L twin-turbo V8 with cylinder deactivation. No power figures are given, but we expect to see this engine in the CT6 in the near future.

     

    Could we see the Escala as a production model? We'll let de Nysschen answer this.

     

    “Escala is a concept car, but one based upon the unrelenting rise of our product substance. Depending on the development of market segment for large luxury sedans, Escala is a potential addition to our existing product plan.”

     

    Source: Cadillac

     

     

    Press Release is on Page 2


     

    Cadillac Unveils Escala Concept, Previewing Future Design Direction

    • Concept showcases future design and technical systems in development
    • Flagship Sedan is a concept for a more expressive, expansive companion to the recently launched CT6
    • Dual-Theme interior includes Curved OLED displays, next-gen connectivity designs, ingenious details

     


    The Escala Concept debuts in California tonight, introducing the next evolution of Cadillac design and previewing the craftsmanship and technology being developed for many future models. Following a series of private previews, Escala will be displayed this weekend at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

     

    The Escala Concept previews the design and technical ideas driving the next phase of Cadillac’s ongoing expansion.

     

    “Escala is a concept with two clear objectives,” said Johan de Nysschen, president of Global Cadillac. “First, Escala is a statement of intent for the next iteration of the Cadillac design language, and also technical concepts in development for future Cadillac models. Secondly, Escala builds Cadillac’s aspirational character, signaling the brand’s return to the pinnacle of premium.”

     

    Cadillac has released a new slate of models bristling with expressive design and exhilarating performance, driver’s cars taking Cadillac into a new chapter of its storied 114-year history.

     

    “Escala is a concept car, but one based upon the unrelenting rise of our product substance,” de Nysschen said. “Depending on the development of market segment for large luxury sedans, Escala is a potential addition to our existing product plan.”

     

    Escala — Spanish for “scale”— is a concept for a larger, more elite and expressive companion to the recently launched 2016 Cadillac CT6, the brand’s remarkable new range-topping prestige sedan. Escala is also the third in a series of concepts Cadillac has debuted at Pebble Beach in recent years, following the Ciel convertible (2011) and Elmiraj coupe (2013).

     

    Escala is designed to be both a driver’s car and an indulgent flagship sedan. The large 4-door sedan features an expansive liftback design emphasizing the car’s considerable scale and versatility. At 210.5 inches in overall length, Escala is roughly 6 inches longer than today’s CT6.

     

    Escala features a new and evolved face of Cadillac design that will begin appearing on production models soon. This includes a new expression of Cadillac’s vertical lighting, a brand signature since 1948. Organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting elements are thinner and set deep within the fascia, creating a sinister look, day and night.

     

    The concept’s details invite closer inspection, including a three-dimensional precision pattern in the grille design and 22-inch wheels with two layers of spokes.

     

    “This concept shares how Cadillac will bring forward a new experience that is uniquely American, and unmistakably Cadillac,” says Andrew Smith, executive director of Cadillac Global Design. “Escala is an expressive symbol of reward and an exhilarating driving experience. On the interior, we pushed further. It’s about precision and ingenuity in craftsmanship, and the artistic integration of technology.”

     

    Escala features a “dual personality” interior crafted with distinctly different zones: The front is about intensely focused modern technology, while the rear delivers relaxation.

     

    “My brief to the designers was to create a car you desperately want to drive, and also one in which you want to be driven,” Smith said. “So rather than a single design, this interior consists of two themes. It was an opportunity for our designers to break the rules a little bit, exactly what Cadillac should do from time to time.”

     

    An array of three curved OLED screens is a prominent feature in the front of the cabin. The very thin, curved displays are layered in front of the driver, with the back sides wrapped in hand-stitched leather embossed with the Cadillac script. The array of screens consolidate the traditional “cluster” of driving gauges with the “center stack” into one integrated unit.

     

    Escala includes new designs for connectivity and control, providing a prototype for the user experience in development for future production models. The system features a central control module that enables the driver to execute tactile commands across the spectrum of connectivity functions, in addition to voice and gesture control technology. Inside the controller sits a new edition of Cadillac’s “flying Goddess” icon, a nod to the brand’s illustrious heritage.

     

    Like all Cadillac models today, the interior is assembled using hand cut-and-sewn techniques. However, Escala presents several new and unique touches, blending overt luxury with covert technology. Escala makes broad use of hand-tailored fabric on the door trim and seating areas. Inspired by suiting material used by Cadillac’s partners in the fashion industry, the fabric provides a new level of hand-applied craftsmanship and color, unique in today’s auto interior landscape.

     

    The Escala Concept utilizes Cadillac’s new RWD-centric large luxury car architecture, featuring one of the world’s most advanced body structures, which debuted on the new CT6. The mixed-material construction enables unprecedented agility and efficiency.

     

    Escala uses a new 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine, a prototype of a new system in development for future Cadillac models. The advanced engine utilizes Active Fuel Management technology, enabling fuel-saving 4-cylinder operation.

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    13 hours ago, dfelt said:

    @smk4565 I am going to only state the obvious, Cadillac thought they could never be beat and coined the term standard of the world. 

    The S-Class is Beatable, nothing is perfect and nothing stays the best for ever. 

    It might not be Cadillac, but I can tell you that some car company someplace is going to come along and beat the snot out of your unbeatable S-Class and your gonna be left looking like this! :o :palm:

    So just be ready cause some day will come.

    Nope.  40 years at the top of the luxury sedan segment, 40 years as the gold standard.  The others have tried and failed, Infiniti left that segment years ago, Jaguar might leave it, and Audi would dump the A8 if it wasn't for China because they A8 is tanking here and in Europe.  As crossovers keep eating at sedan sales there will be fewer big sedans left on the market, only the strong will survive.  Much like luxury roadsters, the SL is the last one standing.  Cadillac, Lexus and Jaguar all scrapped theirs.

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    3 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

    Nope.  40 years at the top of the luxury sedan segment, 40 years as the gold standard.  The others have tried and failed, Infiniti left that segment years ago, Jaguar might leave it, and Audi would dump the A8 if it wasn't for China because they A8 is tanking here and in Europe.  As crossovers keep eating at sedan sales there will be fewer big sedans left on the market, only the strong will survive.  Much like luxury roadsters, the SL is the last one standing.  Cadillac, Lexus and Jaguar all scrapped theirs.

    WOW, You really are a horse with blinders and no the S-Class has not been the leader for 40 years. :facepalm:

    You know this as way to many knowledgable people here have posted picture proof of how terrible the S-Class was even into the late 90's. The last 15-20 years yes they have led, but not 40!

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    12 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

    Nope.  40 years at the top of the luxury sedan segment, 40 years as the gold standard.  The others have tried and failed, Infiniti left that segment years ago, Jaguar might leave it, and Audi would dump the A8 if it wasn't for China because they A8 is tanking here and in Europe.  As crossovers keep eating at sedan sales there will be fewer big sedans left on the market, only the strong will survive.  Much like luxury roadsters, the SL is the last one standing.  Cadillac, Lexus and Jaguar all scrapped theirs.

    EVERTHING falls at some point. Look at ANYTHING, EVER, AT ANY TIME in history and tell me it never changed or fell from leadership to peasant at some point. A good organization/company/country will sustain it longer but let's be honest.. nothing ever lasts forever. Period. That's just the way she goes.

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