Escalade Platinum

[TheIntrepid]

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 21 st-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 v ariable 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.

[Eye of the Tiger]

nobody cares

[CJ]

Yeah...nobody cares.  It's still just a Tahoe.

[TheIntrepid]

Yeah...nobody cares.  It's still just a Tahoe.

[CJ]

Sorry, it's just a Suburban that costs probably $75,000.

[CALL_911]

A super-sized version of the CTS grille.

[GoCougs]

The GL550 is so superior the vehicle, I find it astonishing that this thing sells at all, let alone in relatively decent volume.

[CALL_911]

The GL550 is so superior the vehicle, I find it astonishing that this thing sells at all, let alone in relatively decent volume.

+1.

[sandertheshark]

I'm kinda liking this.

[Colonel Cadillac]

I've always been partial to Escalades. This looks pretty good

[SVT_Power]

damn that's ugly

[the Teuton]

I kinda like it.  Bling bling, diggity dawg.

[MaxPower]

If I were Cadillac, I would have done something about the swath of black plastic on the center console before I added LED headlights or MRC.  The least they could do is pull out the black and replace it with the silver that runs around it.  And why does there need to be a three inch gap between the CD slots?

Otherwise, I think its a neat vehicle.  I'd drive it, but I'd never buy it.

[Secret Chimp]

I really don't know why anybody would choose this thing over a Mercedes GL.

[omicron]

[Champ]

I'm interested in the LED headlamps, any more info on those?

[SVT666]

I'm interested in the LED headlamps, any more info on those?

They're....LED.

[SVT666]

I hate how every GM truck now has a front bumper that is lower then the side skirts.  I saw a new Chevy Silverado in my hotel parking lot this morning with the bumper touching the wheel stop in his parking space.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I hate how every GM truck now has a front bumper that is lower then the side skirts.  I saw a new Chevy Silverado in my hotel parking lot this morning with the bumper touching the wheel stop in his parking space.

And eventually, they will evolve to become ever lower to the ground, reverting back to the way should have stayed in the first place...



...because the Wagon Queen Family Truckster meets the needs of 101% of SUV buyers.

[SVT666]

And eventually, they will evolve to become ever lower to the ground, reverting back to the way should have stayed in the first place...

Silverado is a pickup, not an SUV.  Besides, styling-wise it looks bad having the bumper hang lower then the rest of the body.

...because the Wagon Queen Family Truckster meets the needs of 101% of SUV buyers.

Not quite, but the station wagon does do 100% of what 90% of buyers want.  The last survey I saw said that 10% of SUV's go offroad.

[etypeJohn]

Gad, another overweight, oversized, overly thirsty piece of driveway jewelry that no one really needs.

[SVT666]

Gad, another overweight, oversized, overly thirsty piece of driveway jewelry that no one really needs.

Needs have nothing to do with it.

[TheIntrepid]

Gad, another overweight, oversized, overly thirsty piece of driveway jewelry that no one really needs.

Need? No. You don't need that E-Type in your garage, do you? Your life could go on without it.

[Submariner]

Need? No. You don't need that E-Type in your garage, do you? Your life could go on without it.

The only difference being the E-type is an elegant piece of automotive history while the Escalade is an overpriced cheeply built rebadge of an already ugly vehicle.

[SVT666]

The only difference being the E-type is an elegant piece of automotive history while the Escalade is an overpriced cheeply built rebadge of an already ugly vehicle.

He still doesn't need it.

[thewizard16]

Eh, it doesn't do anything for me, but the Escalade never has.

[Submariner]

He still doesn't need it.

Then anyone buying anything more than the most basic form of automotive transport is guilty too. 

Perhaps he was simply expressing his disdain for the escalade.

[the Teuton]

Then anyone buying anything more than the most basic form of automotive transport is guilty too. 

Perhaps he was simply expressing his disdain for the escalade.

It's fast, blingy, actually has a nice interior and a different drivetrain and transmission than almost every other GM SUV, it's comfortable, and it says, 'hey, I'm rich!'

What's not to like other than its excessiveness?

[J86]

most....balla.....shit....EVA!!!!!

These are the cars, much like the H2, that while I don't want to own, I am SO glad that friends of mine do.

[Vinsanity]

To be completely honest, when the time comes that my garage is filled with classics and exotics, this will be the car that I'll be using to piddle my independently wealthy butt around town in