Autoblog

Is this the 2014-15 Cadillac Escalade?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:32:00 EST

Following the introduction of the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, we're expecting General Motors won't wait too much longer to show off the next-generation fullsize SUVs that share this platform - including the Cadillac Escalade. It's still not clear if the next Escalade will debut for the 2014 or 2015 model years, but Carscoops has what it claims to an exclusive first look of the new Cadillac, revealing a portion of the headlight, front fascia and wheel.

Judging from this small picture, it looks like the Escalade could incorporate styling cues that we've seen on new Cadillac models like the ELR and the 2014 CTS, but that article says that other design details could include tall, vertical taillights similar to the CTS Wagon, staggered-width wheels and a narrower daylight opening for the side windows. The last time we saw the fourth-generation 'Slade back in October in spy shots, the heavy camouflage prevented us from getting an idea of the luxury SUV's appearance, but this image and description gives us something to look forward to. Head on over to Carscoops for more potential information as well as a full rendering from back in January.

Is this the 2014-15 Cadillac Escalade? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Expect greater differentiation in GM's next-generation SUVs

Zach Bowman — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC, Design/Style

General Motors says its next-generation Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade models will offer shoppers improved interior differentiation. Car and Driver recently caught up with Chris Hilts, GM's creative manager of interior design, who said that the cabins will all feature unique instrument panels, consoles, center stacks and switchgear moving forward. Apparently GM is now aware that consumers may be bothered by the fact that today's $85,000 Escalade has effectively the same cabin as a $45,000 Tahoe. Hilts says SUV buyers want more refinement than their pickup purchasing counterparts - and those same buyers also want their SUVs to have more exterior differentiation between the company's Silverado and Sierra pickup lines. Shocking.

That all sounds good to us, but we've heard this song and dance before. GM made big waves about how different the new-for-2013 Silverado and Sierra would look from each other, but judging by what we've seen so far, GM's stylists are painting in shades rather than with the full spectrum. For more on the what to expect out of GM's new SUVs, click on the C/D link below.

Expect greater differentiation in GM's next-generation SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's Reuss: Next Cadillac Escalade to be "much less ostentatious"

Chris Paukert — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Cadillac, GM, Design/Style, Luxury

Within the next year or so, Cadillac will be launching its fourth-generation Escalade, and the SUV will be entering into a very different market than the one its predecessor first encountered in 2006. Over its history, General Motors' most expensive SUV has carved out a high-profile, highly profitable niche for itself as a larger-than-life, flamboyant style statement. But the next Escalade will dial back the chrome and the overtly conspicuous design that made it popular among attention-grabbing celebrities. Instead, General Motors' North American President, Mark Reuss, says the 2014/2015 Escalade will be "much less ostentatious" to be better in-step with the times.

At a media roundtable held earlier today at GM's downtown Detroit world headquarters, Reuss told Autoblog that Cadillac is changing its design tack with the next Escalade because there has been a "permanent mindset change about what luxury looks like." The new luxury, it follows, is more substantive and less showy, with a greater emphasis on efficiency. As a consequence, the Escalade will be "understated yet elegant," though Reuss was quick to assert that the SUV's new design "is not feminine." Indeed, spy shots of the next Escalade suggest that the truck's design will still have gobs of presence, including a massive front grille and an intimidating stance marked out by large wheels.

The Escalade will be "understated yet elegant," though Reuss was quick to assert that the SUV's new design "is not feminine."

Reuss cautions that even though GM is targeting a more refined visual and driving experience, the Escalade will still hold appeal for current owners, with a much more upscale interior and the same high ride height that buyers have come to know and love. And as the Escalade will remain a body-on-frame truck with V8 power, it should still maintain its workhorse capabilities for those who tow regularly, despite posting sizable efficiency gains.

At the same roundtable, Cadillac's new Global Vice President, Robert E. Ferguson, noted that the current Escalade has a surprisingly diverse ownership base, with clusters around both single males and mothers with young children. The next-gen Escalade will look to better leverage that spectrum of buyers, with GM hoping that its "audience will expand significantly." In order to court that broader consumer base, Reuss points out that the new Escalade also "won't be marketed the same as we did five years ago."

Of course, GM isn't looking to abandon core customers that helped make Escalade one of the industry's most recognizable nameplates. To that end, Reuss assured Autoblog that "there will continue to be a place and trim" for the model's traditional customers who were drawn to the current Escalade's splashier style.

GM's Reuss: Next Cadillac Escalade to be "much less ostentatious" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Cadillac Escalade on the prowl

Zach Bowman — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Cadillac, Luxury

Spy photographers have nabbed our first look at the 2014 Cadillac Escalade. The luxury SUV is set to ride on the new GMT900 truck platform will underpin next-generation General Motors workhorses like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. While the machines in these photos are heavily camouflaged, we can see the truck will bow with front fascia akin to what we've seen from both the Cadillac XTS and ATS, albeit on a much larger scale. LED accent lighting stretches from each headlamp all the way down to the lower bumper, and a massive, tight-mesh grille looks to be part of the package as well.

Under the hood, the Cadillac Escalade will continue to offer buyers a V8 option, though word has it the company's engineers may also be hard at work on new twin-turbo V6 based on the current 3.6-liter unit. A next-generation CTS with that same mill has already been spotted in development.

Meanwhile, the interior will enjoy the addition of the Cadillac CUE infotainment system as well as a full aesthetic update.

2014 Cadillac Escalade on the prowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cadillac Escalade to get new lease on life in 2014

Chris Tutor — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, Luxury

Known for unmitigated excess to some, the Cadillac Escalade embodies over-the-top transportation for oil barons and high-rolling hip-hop stars. TheDetroitBureau.com quotes an unnamed senior Cadillac official as saying, "We were finding that for everyone turned on by that image there were four (potential luxury buyers) who were [turned off]." Add in national gas prices flirting with $5 a gallon, and the Escalade seemed destined to join the flamboyant fins of the 1959 Eldorado.

But TDB says General Motors saw too much profit in the tanker-sized truck and plans to refresh it in early 2014 as a 2015 model. The Bureau predicts the SUV will continue to be body-on-frame with the new 2013 Chevrolet pickup underpinnings holding it all together. It's probably safe to assume the luxury will be upsized, the engine uptuned and the price upjacked.

Cadillac Escalade to get new lease on life in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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