2005 ESCALADE ATTRACTS NEW BUYERS TO CADILLAC
Source: GM Media

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.

The Escalade symbolizes Cadillac’s commitment to bold, breakthrough products. But perhaps more importantly, it has served as a beacon for new buyers into the division and a symbol of Cadillac’s revitalization.

An instant hit with professional athletes, musicians, movie stars and automotive enthusiasts, Escalade’s self-assured stance and strong lines have attracted younger, more 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.

For 2005, subtle changes improve the vehicle. The primary change is a new, premium instrument cluster with bright chrome rings around gauges and more detailed graphics. In addition, new burled walnut trim replaces traditional Zebrano trim. The AWD Escalade now has optional 20-inch chrome wheels. All models receive a bright chrome exhaust tip. The navigation system now uses a touch screen rather than a joystick, and the screen size increases from 5.8 inches (142 mm) to 6.5 inches (165 mm) for easier use. Riptide, a teal blue metallic hue, debuts as a new exterior color.

The Escalade also will receive an all-new cooling system with two electric cooling fans and regulated voltage control system that includes a 160-amp alternator. This will help improve AC performance.

Midyear, the 2WD Escalade will receive an engine upgradewith theVortec H.O. 6000 6.0L V-8, which is also the standard engine on the AWD model. The Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 engine will be phased out of the Escalade line.

OnStar-equipped Escalades feature new sixth-generation hardware with digital and analog coverage. OnStar’s Gen 6 hardware also includes upgraded hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt digital/analog system and external antenna for greater reception.

All 2005 Cadillac owners in the U.S. will receive 12 months of complimentary access to Cadillac Virtual Advisor by OnStar. Cadillac Virtual Advisor service begins at activation of OnStar Personal Calling. Cadillac Virtual Advisor provides three-day weather forecasts and traffic reports within pre-selected ranges of 5, 10 or 15 miles of the vehicle’s location in most major markets. Cadillac Virtual Advisor also monitors traffic for up to three personalized routes and reports information on up to 10 selected stocks on the Dow Jones Industrial and NASDAQ markets – all at the touch of a single button.

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 with345 horsepower (257 kw) at 5200 rpm and 380 lb.-ft. of torque (515 Nm) at 4000 rpm. The engine links to the Hydra-Matic 4L60-E heavy-duty electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The two-wheel-drive model will continue to use the 295-horsepower (220 kw) Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 until midyear, when it moves up to the 6.0L V-8. The Vortec 5300 is coupled to a standard Hydra-Matic 4L65-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Both engines feature electronic throttle control.

Occupant protection
The Escalade has GM’s Passenger Sensing System (PSS). PSS uses the latest sensing technology to turn the front passenger air bag on or off. If the sensor system detects an unoccupied front passenger seat or the presence of a smaller occupant, the front passenger air bag is designed to automatically turn off so it would not deploy in the event of a frontal collision. A status indicator on the instrument panel alerts occupants that the passenger air bag is on or off. Even with this system, GM strongly recommends to restrain child passengers in an appropriate child seat placed in the second or third row of the vehicle. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an active air bag. GM also recommends that all children 12 and under ride in the rear seat when possible.

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-stage frontal air bags for supplemental protection for front seat passengers. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

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.

Interior
The Escalade’s comfortable seats feature a simple, clean, European-style appearance. Front-row buckets have 14-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.