If GM ever decides to do a Cadillac Escalade V-Series, chances are it'd look something like the Escalade Sport concept being debuted at SEMA. Lowered, rolling on 24s, wearing mesh grilles in front and dual exhaust tips in back, the Escalade Sport backs its amped-up appearance with 550 horses underhood. The revamped interior includes a leather-covered IP, Recaro seating for four, and a new center console complete with relocated shifter. We were fine with the garden-variety 400-horse Escalade, but after seeing this, we kinda want one. Sure, no one asked for it, but this is SEMA, a carnival of answers to unasked questions. As those answers go, this one's pretty good.
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE:
CADILLAC ESCALADE SPORT
The Cadillac Escalade Sport concept showcases even more of the dramatic presence and power that has made Escalade the sales and image leader among large luxury SUVs. The Escalade Sport showcases a small-block V-8 that produces approximately 550 horsepower and is backed by a heavy-duty 6L80 six-speed transmission. Modified front and rear fascias, along with enhancements including 24-inch wheels, a lowered ride height and special aero rockers provide the Escalade Sport with a distinctive look.
Vehicle highlights:
* Escalade Sport concept
* Small-block V-8 with approximately 550 horsepower
* 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission
* Unique air induction and exhaust systems; underhood cover
* Sport-tuned suspension with two-inch-lowered ride height
* High-performance brake package
* Modified front and rear fascia with new upper and lower grilles
* Fog lamp housing
* New roof rack
* New side air extractors with lights
* New hood
* Retractable side steps with aero rockers
* Dual rear exhaust Corsa cat-back exhaust with new tips
* Twenty-four-inch, forged alloy wheels
* "Sport" badging
* Recaro sport bucket seats in first and second rows; third-row seat deleted
* Leather-wrapped upper instrument panel, console and upper door panels
* Specific gauge cluster graphics
* Aluminum cargo floor with runners and tie-downs
* Unique finish on trim plates
* Modified center console with new shifter and shift knob
* Billet aluminum pedals
* European-spec clear taillamps
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James @ Oct 29th 2007 2:18AM
Somebody turned the Escalade into a Yukon.
Step down!
TEM @ Oct 29th 2007 2:31AM
I was wondering what it was that was bothering me about the front end, and then I read your comment...
Dead on.
Eric Biran @ Oct 29th 2007 2:39AM
Yeah, I had the same thought when I looked at it. Just toss that nasty-ass front grill/bumper clip, and everything else is fine though.
550HP behemoth, definitely the wrong tool for whatever job it was. Cool, sure. Maybe even embarass a few Cayennes, ML55s, and X5s. I'd rather GM save it's CAFE credits for something more sporty like cars though. As a do-it-yourself 550HP pimp-package, however, I've got no arguments with this being at SEMA.
TEM @ Oct 29th 2007 4:30AM
BTW, which 550hp v-8 small block are they using in this thing?
cowboy bob @ Oct 29th 2007 9:26AM
How does anything weighing two and a half tons be called a "sport"? Powerfull yes, sport, no. No whale is sporty.
sheltonn @ Oct 29th 2007 8:44PM
You have not driven one have you? My 2005 is very fast and it is about 50hp down on the 2007 model which is another 150 down on this model. The 2007 model is supposed to be good for 6.5 0-60. throw another 150 on there and let the good times ride.
If they sold this, I would buy it in a heart beat. The only thing I don't like is the removal of the rear seats. I would still leave the option for seats. If I wanted to haul anything for ass, I would get the EXT.
Jay @ Oct 29th 2007 2:02PM
tell that to Range Rover.
cowboy bob @ Oct 29th 2007 3:00PM
Last I checked, a Range Rover wasn't any SCCA contender either. If you think a Range Rover is sporty, you must think Queen Lativa is to. Good luck with that.
Jay @ Oct 29th 2007 3:20PM
Wow, way to misread the message genius. Range Rover Sport? Ring any bells for you? Incase you forgot this is a sema concept as close to making it to production as the Texans are to winning the superbowl, the RR sport on the other hand is a full production vehicle that weighs close to if not MORE than the Escalade...and yet no one has bitched about its name yet. BTW you misspelled Queen Latifa, use names you can spell at least.
ugg.tryptophan @ Oct 30th 2007 12:17AM
whats a fuel crisis?
cowboy bob @ Oct 30th 2007 7:09AM
Jay, people like you who can't say anything without trying to belittle someone else are poor examples themselves. You can call anything you want a sport. The reality is something else to some of us. Sport connotates a different thing to different people. SCCA agrees with me. Sheltonn does not. That does not make him or me an idiot. He at least was not insulting. By the way, as far as the "Latifa" thing, look on your keyboard and notice the position of the "f" key in relation to the "v" key. Sema is universally thought of as a concept show, yes. One of the presumed uses of concept vehicles is to preview production vehicles, and/or measure the value of response to a pre-production evaluation. I cannot even list the number of SEMA show vehicles that have been the "outing" for production models. To consider that this could happen to the "Sport" 'Caddy is not that much out of the question.
Gooch @ Oct 29th 2007 9:45AM
Isn't "Escalade" and "sport" an oxymoron?
Why would I want a "sport" Escalade? If I ever wanted an Escalade, it would be to do what Escalades do -- which is... er... well... uhhhh...
...be an Escalade.
JT @ Oct 29th 2007 10:22AM
Agreed..........it looks like a Denali.........GM has done a great look from the factory....taking that grille away ...........hello........Yukon!
Christian @ Oct 29th 2007 12:14PM
What's with the heavy GM content today from SEMA on Autoblog? Different articles back to back on different painted Hummers? How about 1 truck summary story from GM from SEMA. Thanks.
Jay @ Oct 29th 2007 2:03PM
where are these Hummers you keep going on about?