The second generation of the Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV went on sale in Europe at the end of January, offering a new level of refinement, style, performance and an instantly recognizable shape.

The new Cadillac Escalade features a 301 kW (409 hp), 6.2L aluminum V-8 with VVT (variable valve timing), an efficient six-speed automatic transmission, a feature-packed, more spacious interior and distinctive Cadillac exterior styling.

Based on GM’s all-new full-size SUV architecture, the new Cadillac Escalade features new powertrain, chassis, safety and interior systems. All-new sheet metal gives sleeker, cleaner styling and improved aerodynamics, yet it remains instantly identifiable as an Escalade.

At the front, the signature Cadillac egg-crate grille is flanked by tri-element HID headlamps and is matched by equally distinctive rear-end styling, highlighted by chrome accents. Larger 18-inch wheels are standard.

A new 6.2L, V-8 engine with all-aluminum construction and variable valve timing technology delivers 301 kW (409 hp) and 565 Nm (417 lb.-ft.) of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. Handling and active safety is enhanced with the standard Road Sensing Suspension, which uses electronically controlled shock absorbers to make nearly instantaneous damping adjustments. The system “reads” the road to anticipate the best damping rates.

The Cadillac Escalade is regarded as an aspirational nameplate in the American automotive landscape. The launch of the original Escalade in 1999 marked the start of Cadillac’s product renaissance in the U.S., and it has continued to attract younger, more diverse customers to the Cadillac portfolio. For example, 35 percent of Escalade buyers in the U.S. are women.

“The new Cadillac Escalade represents the next phase of Cadillac’s product renaissance – a renaissance that was launched by the previous-generation Escalade,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “Since its inception, Escalade has been an icon – the vehicle customers aspire to own. The new model raises the bar with exceptional exterior style, interior refinement, increased performance and enhanced ride and handling smoothness.”

Trim level details

The new Cadillac Escalade is available in two trim levels: Elegance and Sport Luxury. The extensive standard equipment on Elegance models includes a power-assisted rear tailgate, rear parking assist with rearview LED display, plus comfort-adding items such as a tri-zone climate control, an audio system with DVD and six-CD changer, 10-speaker Bose 5.1 Discrete Surround Sound System, leather-covered seats (heated on first and second rows) and power-adjustable front seats with two-position driver-seat memory.

Sport Luxury models have additional standard features including a sunroof, heated and cooled front-row seats and a heated steering wheel. A roof-mounted rear DVD entertainment console with a 203 mm (8 in.) screen and power release “fold and tumble” second-row seats are also standard on Sport Luxury models.

In addition to the active safety provided by traction control, StabiliTrak and the standard Road Sensing Suspension, the new Escalade features a 360-degree perimeter safety system of occupant protection and crash-avoidance technologies. It is designed to be among the industry's safest and most secure vehicles.

New features include roof-mounted head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows and front-seat safety belt pretensioners that are linked to the vehicle's sensing system to provide segment-exclusive deployment in rear impacts. All these features are integrated into a stronger vehicle structure that is also designed for improved compatibility with other vehicles.

The new Cadillac Escalade is built at GM’s award-winning facility at Arlington, Texas, USA.