Cadillac Escalade, 2015

 

 

 Cadillac Escalade, 2015

Production of the 2015 Escalade begins in the spring of 2014 in Arlington, Texas. The product line will consist of the standard Escalade model, as well as the extended-length ESV edition, with offers a 14-inch-longer (355 mm) wheelbase and approximately 20 inches (508 mm) more in overall length, maximizing space for third-row passengers and 60 percent more cargo space behind the third-row seat than the Cadillac Escalade.

Cadillac introduced the all-new 2015 Escalade, a sophisticated luxury SUV designed to establish new benchmarks for hand-tailored craftsmanship and technology.

The fourth-generation Cadillac Escalade is an entirely new design yet instantly recognizable. Much of the story of Cadillac's redesigned flagship SUV is on the interior, where new levels of luxury combine with the latest technology.

From its introduction, Cadillac Escalade quickly became the standard among luxury SUVs with a formula of bold design, powerful capability and luxurious accommodations for up to eight occupants. Three succeeding generations led luxury SUV customers to confer icon status on it. The 2015 Escalade takes design and technical elements from Cadillac's product expansion to elevate the brand's signature SUV.

Offered with 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, Escalade features a new 6.2L V-8 engine that is more powerful and more efficient than previous models. Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control, the world's fastest-reacting suspension system, is now standard and delivers precisely controlled driving performance.

The exterior features crisp, new and more sophisticated surfaces, accented by dramatic light-emitting diode, or LED, lighting.

The new interior features cut-and-sewn and wrapped materials, with wood trim options chosen for elegance and authenticity. Seats were engineered to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance. The new interior is dramatically quieter, too, thanks to a stronger new body structure, new and enhanced acoustic material, and Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology.

CUE, Cadillac's advanced system for connectivity and control, is standard featuring state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls common with the world's most popular tablets and mobile devices. A standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster can be reconfigured with four themes and an available head-up display projects information onto the windshield. An available Blu-Ray DVD rear entertainment system includes a nine-inch, roof-mounted screen on Escalade and two nine-inch screens on Escalade ESV.

The front seating area offers more than 1.5 inches (44 mm) more headroom and more than four inches (101 mm) of additional legroom compared to previous models while the second- and third-row seats fold flat for greater cargo versatility - and a segment-first hands-free liftgate includes programmable height settings.

Cadillac Escalade's new technologies include safety features to help protect occupants before, during and after a collision, such as Front and Rear Automatic Braking, which relies on short-range radar technology and ultrasonic sensors to help the driver avoid front and rear low-speed collisions via a progression of alerts that extend to complete braking, if necessary.

Also new is the segment's only Front Seat Center-Mounted air bag, which is engineered to provide additional protection to drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes, where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

A Driver Awareness package includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning System, and the patented Safety Alert Seat, which offers directional vibrations to alert the driver about potential crash threats. A Driver Assist package adds Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control, Front and Rear Automatic Braking, Automatic Collision Preparation and Automatic Safety Belt Tightening.

Additionally, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Alert are standard on Luxury and Premium models.

Crafted interior
Craftsmanship defines the 2015 Escalade's passenger space, designed to be one of the industry's most authentic and luxurious cabins mixed with seamless technology integration for today's connected luxury customers.

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 triple-sealed 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-firmness foam that ensures long-trip comfort and helps retain appearance over time.

Intuitive technology
Technology is integral to the Cadillac Escalade's driving experience. New and enhanced features help make what already was one of the industry's most-connected vehicles more intuitive.

Precise exterior
The 2015 Cadillac Escalade's exterior advances a 15-year legacy of design distinction with evolved character cues designed to add sophistication. Full LED lighting creates a bold new interpretation of Cadillac's vertical light signature.

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 taillamps reach to the top of the Escalade and feature the brand's wreath-and-crest insignia, which illuminates in the dark. Cadillac Escalade also features LED-illuminated door handles on the Premium Collection.

New inlaid doors fit into the body side openings instead of over the top of the body, significantly reducing wind noise and contributing to improved aerodynamics that help the vehicles slip through the air on the highway with less wind drag. Active air shutters close in front of the condenser/radiator assembly at certain highway speeds to improve aerodynamics for greater efficiency. A lightweight aluminum hood and liftgate panels reduce overall mass.

Performance and driving experience
The performance threshold for the 2015 Escalade lineup rises with an all-new, more efficient 6.2L V-8 engine rated at an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm) - a nearly 5-percent increase in horsepower and 10 percent more torque. The greater torque delivers an enhanced feeling of power on demand, particularly from a standstill and at low speeds.

The new 6.2L features state-of-the-art technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management, or cylinder deactivation, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system, designed to make the most of power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions. More precisely controlled combustion enables Cadillac Escalade to run with a higher compression ratio, which delivers greater power and greater expected efficiency.

The engine is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with enhanced TapShift control.

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 more than 75 percent high-strength steel - is the foundation for its ride quality. New shear-style body mounts help reduce vibrations transmitted into the vehicle.

Additional chassis and suspension highlights:

• Coil-over-shock front suspension and five-link/coil-spring rear suspension
• Wider rear track that contributes to a more planted stance
• Standard 20-inch wheels and available 22-inch wheels
• New, electric variable-assist power steering system that enhances fuel economy and tailors steering assist to vehicle speed
• New 9.5-inch rear axle and standard automatic locking rear differential
• Stabili Trak electronic stability control, incorporating tow/haul mode, auto grade braking and hill start assist
•  New four-wheel-disc brake system with Duralife brake rotors that offer up to double the service life, along with brake pedal revisions engineered to improve pedal feel for more confident braking performance
•  Third-generation magnetic ride control is standard with Tour and Sport modes.

Security measures
The new Cadillac Escalade has been designed with greater security features to thwart theft attempts, including an intrusion sensor, inclination sensor and glass breakage sensors. Along with triggering the vehicle's alarm systems, some of the features shut down key control systems to make it almost impossible to start or move the vehicle. The security features are supported by OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance, which can help police locate the vehicle.

Technical Specifications
    Powertrain: EcoTec3 6.2L V-8 FlexFuel (L86)
    Fuel delivery: direct fuel injection with Active Fuel Management
    Horsepower: 420 hp / 313 kW @ 5600 rpm
    Torque: 460 lb-ft / 623 Nm @ 4100 rpm
    Transmission: Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed auto.
    Final drive ratio: 3.42
    Chassis/Suspension
        Front: SLA independent suspension with Magnetic Ride Control
        Rear: 5-link, solid axle with Magnetic Ride Control
    Steering type: electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion
    Brakes: power-assisted, four-wheel disc, four-wheel ABS, with Duralife™ rotors; vented front and rear rotors
    Wheel size & type / tire size:
        20 x 9.0-in. aluminum / P275/55R20
        22 x 9.5-in. aluminum / P285/45R22