Completely redesigned last year, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade is a world-class image and sales leader in the global large luxury SUV segment.  Escalade features integrated powertrain, chassis, safety and interior systems that deliver the most powerful and efficient of luxury SUVs.  It is a high-profile, iconic vehicle that embodies the true spirit of Cadillac in its most luxurious and capable form.

The latest generation of Cadillac Escalade offers a new level of refinement and style, with a feature-packed and spacious interior.  It raises the bar with exceptional exterior style, interior refinement, increased performance and enhanced ride and handling smoothness.

With seating for up to eight occupants, an all-aluminium 409 ps V8 engine, six-speed automatic transmission and full-time all-wheel drive, the left-hand drive Escalade delivers unrivalled performance and luxury with all-weather and off-road capability.

In the UK, Escalade customers can choose from Elegance or Sport Luxury equipment/trim levels, with prices ranging from £47,100 (on-the-road) to £50,100, and from a selection of seven exterior colours and two interior colours.

Manufactured in the USA, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade is built at GM’s award-winning facility in Arlington, Texas.

Design – unmistakably Cadillac
The 2008 Escalade is instantly identifiable as a Cadillac and incorporates styling cues from Cadillac’s landmark Sixteen concept vehicle, including a detailed ‘egg-crate’ signature grille flanked by tri-element HID headlamps, chromed front wing air vent ports, distinctive rear-end styling and layers of chrome accents (side moulding, door handles, window base trim and roof rails), plus large seven-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

Tall, broad and handsome, the 5.1-metre long Escalade sports a sleek, clean and athletic form with efficient aerodynamics.  The ‘toned’ look includes a laid-back windscreen angle of 57 degrees, which flows gracefully into the roofline.  This angle, plus attention to small details that reduce drag, also improve aerodynamic performance to a segment-best Cd 0.36, which helps to reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy.  Details in elements such as wraparound fascias, styled door mirrors and integrated running boards enhance Escalade’s flowing design, enabling a look that is both aggressive and elegant.

UK buyers can choose between seven exterior colours – Blue Chip, Black Raven, Gold Mist, Stealth Grey, Quicksilver, Infrared Tintcoat and White Diamond.

Interior – exclusively sumptuous
The warm and inviting Escalade interior features a premium and distinctive full-size SUV layout exclusive to this model.  The cabin, which can be specified in two colours, Ebony and Cocoa-Cashmere, is remarkably spacious, thanks to the long wheelbase (2946 mm), generous body width (2007 mm, excluding door mirrors) and skilful packaging.

Nuance leather-covered seats; leather-covered door trims and front centre console; fabric-covered interior pillars, a heated steering wheel (optional) and a power-assisted rear tailgate that opens and closes with the touch of a button, all combine to create a unique interior ambience.

The curving instrument panel cowling is kept low to ensure good forward visibility.  The unique instrument cluster has gauges with white needles and blue light inlays with continuously lit, white-LED backlighting.  Eleven steering wheel-mounted controls contribute to hands-on-the-wheel, eyes-on-the-road driving safety.

The front-row seats have 25 mm more fore/aft travel and second row Seat comfort is boosted by 10 mm more legroom plus a backrest that is reclined an extra two degrees.
The Cadillac-exclusive power fold-and-tumble for the second row seats (standard on Sport Luxury models) ensures easy access to the third row, while allowing one-handed push-button operation – for example when a parent is holding a child.

The new-for-2007 double-decker centre console has 17-litres more capacity, while the 5-litre glove box is 25% larger and also features a ‘spring-damped’ closing lid echoing Escalade’s premium feeling of refinement.