SFAS: 2008i Cadillac Escalade Platinum

[Flybrian]

GM @ South Florida Auto Show
2008i Cadillac Escalade Platinum

For release: Nov. 9, 2007, 12:01 a.m. EST
ESCALADE PLATINUM: OFFERS UNPRECEDENTED LUXURY, STYLE AND EXCLUSIVITY

MIAMI – Cadillac announced the introduction of the 2008 Escalade Platinum, a special edition of the segment-leading large luxury SUV that takes Cadillac’s dramatic design, elegance and technology to its fullest expression.

Making its world premiere alongside the upcoming Escalade Hybrid, Cadillac announced the Platinum edition will come to market in the spring of 2008 as the most luxurious model in the Escalade lineup. It rounds out a full series of Cadillac Platinum models, including the XLR Roadster, DTS luxury sedan and STS performance sedan. Each model in the Platinum lineup is characterized by elegant cabins featuring handcrafted leather, advanced technology and unique design details throughout.

“The new Platinum edition elevates and extends Escalade’s position as the large SUV of choice among luxury consumers,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “The growing Platinum series highlights the handcrafted details and technical sophistication of Cadillac’s overall product renaissance.”

Advanced technologies

Offered on Escalade and the extended-length Escalade ESV, the Platinum edition includes a blend of technical innovations and aesthetic enhancements. Escalade Platinum will be the world’s first SUV to be equipped with Cadillac’s advanced Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) technology.

Magnetic Ride Control, originally developed for performance vehicles such as the STS sedan, XLR Roadster and Chevrolet’s legendary Corvette, is the world’s fastest reacting suspension system and gives the Escalade Platinum more precise body motion control. It is a real-time damping system – “reading” the road in 1-milisecond intervals – that replaces conventional mechanical-valve shocks with electronically controlled shocks filled with a synthetic fluid containing minute iron particles. Under the presence of magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly.

Segment-first, innovative LED headlamps

Escalade Platinum will be the first SUV – and one of the first vehicles of any kind – to offer Light Emitting Diode (LED) headlamps. Used previously only on concept vehicles or exotic sports cars, LED headlamps mark another step in Cadillac’s application of advanced lighting technology and design.

LED headlamps emit a greatly more precise light pattern, while emulating the characteristics of natural daylight much more closely than traditional auto lighting. LEDs are environmentally friendly, using much less power and lasting more than 20 times longer than traditional halogen bulbs. LED headlamps will be an enhancement added to the Escalade Platinum in the summer of 2008, shortly after the start of production of the Platinum model itself in the spring of 2008.

“Escalade is world renown for making a distinctive design statement,” Taylor said, “With the introduction of the world’s first large luxury SUV hybrid as well as the new Platinum edition, Cadillac Escalade is now bringing some of the world’s most sophisticated automotive technologies into the luxury SUV category.”

Dramatic exterior, elegant interior

Escalade Platinum also elevates the already-dramatic design of Escalade. The exterior features a unique front fascia and grille patterned after Cadillac’s acclaimed and hot-selling CTS sport sedan. The Platinum includes unique 22-inch wheels and wears exclusive Platinum exterior badges.

The cabin is the latest example of Cadillac’s 21st-century return to handcrafted luxury details. The instrument panel, center storage console and door trim are wrapped and stitched by hand. They feature decorative French seams that convey an elegantly tailored look and feel. Materials include rich leather on the instrument panel, with unique wood inlays and aluminum trim.

Aniline leather is unique to the Escalade Platinum and is used to trim the first- and second-row seats. Contrasting-color stitching is used on the French seams for a distinctive, luxurious appearance and the seatbacks feature embroidered Cadillac wreath and crest insignias. The leather-covered seats are comfortable and convenient, with the industry-exclusive power fold-and-tumble second-row seat feature that eases access to the third-row seat.

Additional standard interior features include Platinum-specific door sills and floor mats, a heated steering wheel and heated and cooled cup holders and a power liftgate that opens and closes with the touch of a button.

Also, the DVD entertainment system adds screens integrated into each front seat headrest, in addition to the existing roof mounted screen. Each front-row headrest screen has its own driver and input controls. The headrest units can be operated independently or in tandem. This system enables passengers in different seats to watch or listen to different entertainment choices, while leaving ultimate control with the driver. Escalade Platinum models will include the acclaimed Bose 5.1 Digital Surround system, as well as the eight-inch touch screen for DVD-based navigation and control of the DVD, CD, MP3 and XM Satellite radio entertainment.

Plentiful power

Platinum models are powered by the Escalade’s exclusive 6.2L V-8 rated at 403 horsepower (301 kW)* and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm).* It is an all-aluminum engine that uses variable valve timing (VVT) to optimize camshaft timing to improve low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower. The introduction of variable valve timing through the unique, dual-equal cam phaser is the industry’s first application of VVT on a mass-produced V-8 overhead-valve engine.

A Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission is matched with the 6.2L engine. One of the industry’s most advanced automatics, the 6L80 features clutch-to-clutch shifting and has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio – including two overdrive gears – that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy.

Image Gallery

Miami Debut Gallery

[silverss/sc]

Those headlamps are wild . Is this the 1st application of full LED headlamps on anything ? Not sure if Lexus has done this with the LS460H or anyone else for that matter .

[Flybrian]

Miami Debut Gallery

[Flybrian]

Miami Debut Gallery

[K.C.]

Lexus has the LEDs on the hybrid LS. This is GM's first application, and it wont be the last.

As I said before, I love those wheels, and the interior is beautiful. Love that chocolate brown leather.

[ZL-1]

Headlamp overkill

[Northstar]

Awesome.

[ToneyTone]

If they created a hybrid version of this slade, I think it would be a hit.

[Oracle of Delphi]

I love Cadillac more and more everyday! :wub: :wub:

[T Bass]

That interior is amazing!

Does anyone know what the price of it will be?

[bobo]

Cadillac should have put this front end on the Hybrid instead of the garish graphics.

[Northstar]

I love Cadillac more and more everyday! :wub: :wub:

But it will fail because it gets poor fuel economy!

[gm4life]

This puppy is sweet, the ultimate family road-tripper!

[Paolino]

LOVE IT! LOVE THE INTERIOR!

[regfootball]

bling.

[regfootball]

oh, it has NAV so it should sell.

[ocnblu]

A true luxury vehicle. I love all the upgrades... that interior is spectacular. Is the Platinum package available on the SWB body? Edited November 11, 2007 by ocnblu

[Northstar]

A true luxury vehicle. I love all the upgrades... that interior is spectacular. Is the Platinum package available on the SWB body?

It says it is available on the regular Escalade and ESV in the press release.

[maxximus1]

the chocolate interior on the escalade looks hot. way better than in the dts platinum edition, but it could be because of bad photography from what i've seen and not in person.

headlights are amazing, talk about moving to the next lane when this is behind you!

[jbartley]

excellent. love the grille. would like to see that on the regular escalade. rims ehhh?

LOVE the MRC and LED use. Cadillac should use the Platinum series to showcase the newest top-of-the-line technology. I'm sure we'll see MRC filter down to the rest of the escalade line-up eventually.

[C.H.U.D.]

I'm thinking that the grille should have been saved for an MCE. Crazy headlamps and blingier wheels probably would have been enough on the outside. The interior is absolutely beautiful. I'm can't recall ever seeing two-tone wood accents ever before.

[sciguy_0504]

Headlamps are kind of cool, a little bit of overkill. Chocolate brown leather...yum. Interior looks great, though the IP is weird.

Edit: Wait a minute...interior doesn't look so great. Having two different types of wood is kind of stupid. The thought of it was good but the application not so. The center stack looks a bit cheap, too, especially the two disc openings.

Edited November 12, 2007 by sciguy_0504

[jbartley]

I'm thinking that the grille should have been saved for an MCE. Crazy headlamps and blingier wheels probably would have been enough on the outside. The interior is absolutely beautiful. I'm can't recall ever seeing two-tone wood accents ever before.

i agree. that grille should be on all models. the two tones of wood looks really nice, like an expensive table with inlaid wood, etc. bravo!

[tmp]

I'm not wild about the execution of the two woods. To me it doesn't look inlaid- it's just one wood next to another.

[G. David Felt]

But it will fail because it gets poor fuel economy!

No it will succeed as those of us who drive these kind of auto's do not care about the gase milage. I have a 2006 white diamond ESV Platinum and love it. Who cares that I get 12 miles to the gallon. The auto is total luxury and a blast to drive on road trips as well as to work. I am always comfy and relaxed when I get to the office.

That is what we expect of a vehicle of this level.

[Flybrian]

What Dfelt said.

There's this false impression that vehicles like the Escalade are dinosaurs because of gas prices. Couldn't be further from the truth. It is in fact those hi-lux or hi-crediblity sport utilities that will continue to rake in massive profits for their manufacturers while the downmarket midsize SUV field (Trailblazer, Explorer, Durango, Sequoia) adapt or die.