2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE EMBODIES BOLD, BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGY
In a few short years, Escalade has taken its place as a leader in the luxury SUV market, and as the starting point for Cadillac's product renaissance.
An instant hit with professional athletes, musicians, movie stars and automotive enthusiasts, Escalade's self-assured stance and strong lines have attracted younger, affluent buyers to Cadillac, inspired song lyrics and created quite a following. The average Escalade buyer is 50 years old, about 12 years younger than the average Cadillac buyer.
Escalade's U.S. sales totaled 36,114 in 2002, up 15.5 percent from 2001.
"The Escalade is a prime example of Cadillac's commitment to bold, breakthrough products," said Susan Docherty, Escalade marketing director. "But perhaps more importantly, it has served as a beacon for new buyers into the division and a symbol of the re-emergence of Cadillac into the marketplace."
The 2003 model year was one of marked change for the award-winning Escalade. A refreshed interior and upscale technologies such as the DVD rear seat entertainment and DVD navigation system made their debut. For 2004, subtle refinements and new standard equipment improve the marque.
New standard equipment
In 2004, XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only) becomes standard equipment, as does the trailering package, and second-row bucket seats. Buyers can now opt for both the sunroof and rear seat entertainment. In the past, they had to select one or the other. In addition, the second-row bench seat is now a no-charge option. For an extra measure of safety, a new tire pressure monitoring system has been added to all vehicles.
New colors
New exterior colors include Blue Chip, Quicksilver and Red E, replacing Silver Sand, Green Envy and InfraRed. Sable Black has been renamed Black Raven for 2004.
Powertrains
The best-in-class High Output Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 makes the all-wheel drive Escalade the world's most powerful full size SUV with 345 horsepower (257 kw) at 5200 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. of torque (516 Nm) at 4000 rpm. The engine links to the Hydra-Matic 4L60-E heavy-duty electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The rear-wheel-drive model uses the 295-hp (220 kw) Vortec 5300 V-8, coupled to a standard Hydra-Matic 4L60-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Both engines feature electronic throttle control.
Safety features
The Escalade features an automatic passenger-sensing air bag system that automatically deactivates the passenger-side front air bag under certain conditions to help protect smaller occupants. The system assesses the size of the occupant in the seat, based on the measured weight in the seat cushion and tension in the belt system, if any. If these measurements are typical for a small occupant or a child in a booster seat, for example, the air bag is disabled. If they are typical for a larger occupant, the air bag is enabled. As no system is perfect, there is a tell-tale in the rearview mirror that lets the occupant know if the system is ON or OFF. Also, children are always safer in the back seat. Side impact air bags are also standard for both the driver and front passenger. In addition, side-impact door beams and energy-absorbing foam blocks on the interior help protect occupants against head injuries.
The Escalade also has dual-level frontal air bags for both driver and passenger. The system is designed to detect vehicle deceleration and, based on the deceleration data, provide an appropriate amount of air-bag inflation. The dual-level air-bag system senses the severity of a crash and determines whether to deploy the air bag with primary or "lower" amount of inflation or with primary and secondary "higher" amount of inflation.
Escalade also has a second-row center-seat shoulder belt and a child restraint anchor system to make installing child seats easier.
Driver confidence is assured in unpredictable weather conditions with Escalade's full-time all-wheel drive system, four-channel StabiliTrak system and a Borg-Warner one-speed full-time open-differential transfer case. Any of the four wheels can be independently controlled with the four-channel system, offering more stable, controlled ABS stops, improved fuel economy, reliability and serviceability, and greater yaw-stability control. Benefits include reduced understeer and proper brake pressure for traction and yaw stability control at all times.
A new tire pressure monitoring system measures tire inflation pressures in the four tires and flashes a graphic on the instrument cluster should air pressure drop below a specified level.
Interior
The Escalade's comfortable seats feature a simple, clean, European-style appearance. Standard second-row bucket seats can be folded to create a flat load floor for extra versatility and flexibility. Front-row buckets have 10-way power adjustment, power side bolsters and power lumbar support. Heated seating, with separate cushion and seatback settings, can be found in all bucket seats and in the outer positions on the optional second row bench seat.
The instrument panel and cluster, which was redesigned for the 2003 model year, places more crucial operating data in front of the driver. An ebony background offsets the white facing of the graphics and control knobs for a harmonious, integrated look. Minimalistic cluster gauges have brushed painted halos highlighting the tachometer and speedometer. Italian jewelry designer Bvlgari designed the analog clock displayed in the console. A new, jeweled wreath and crest horn-pad emblem is found on all Escalades.
For audio/visual aficionados, Escalade has an available DVD rear seat entertainment system with a 7-inch flip-down screen and DVD navigation system, standard XM Satellite Radio and a premium nine-speaker Bose sound system with an in-dash six-disc changer and digital signal processing for superb imaging, stage and spectral response. The navigation system uses an onboard computer and vehicle sensors to interact with the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the DVD map database to provide precise vehicle location and to calculate a driving route to a destination. It can help locate and route to addresses, intersections, and points of interest such as ATMs, restaurants, hospitals and museums - all with visual and voice-guided directions.
Smart electrical systems
An advanced multiplexed electrical architecture greatly reduces the number of wires, splices and connectors, minimizes weight, and improves packaging efficiency, reliability and durability. The architecture enables the driver information center, infotainment, automatic climate control and passenger-sensing air bag system.
