Cadillac Updates Escalade Family at NAIAS

Will Stylish New Sheet Metal and a Higher Quality Interior Attract More Premium Buyers?

Cadillac took the wraps off of the 2007 Escalade ESV and 2007 Escalade EXT in Detroit last week. It is only fitting that these two "pimp daddy mobiles" of the large luxury SUV market segment be revealed in The Motor City, at one of the worlds bigger auto shows of the year.

The ESV is a stretched Escalade, riding on the same wheelbase as Chevys monstrous Suburban and GMCs Yukon XL, both totally revised for 2007 and shown last week at the years first major auto show in Los Angeles. Like the Suburban

Cadillac took the wraps off of the 2007 Escalade ESV and 2007 Escalade EXT in Detroit last week. (Photo: General Motors)

and Yukon XL, the Escalade ESV is capable of carrying eight people comfortably, plus much of their luggage.

The EXT, on the other hand, continues forward with a pickup bed behind the second row of seats, the latter which fold down before the rear wall opens up to extend the box length for longer cargo, the same as Chevys

Both the ESV and the EXT are powered by a new 6.2L all-aluminum V8 engine that doles out 403-horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: General Motors)

Avalanche.

Both the ESV and the EXT are powered by a new 6.2L all-aluminum V8 engine that doles out 403-horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque while rolling on 18-inch chrome rims -� and to all you professional athletes and hip-hoppers out there, dont worry 22-inch dubs are optional.

Instead of combining the two vehicles, which from the D-pillar rearward are completely different, its probably best to review one at a time,

The Escalade ESV is all about "going big or going home,"? with 53.4 cm (21 inches) over its "entry-level" sibling. (Photo: General Motors)

starting, of course, with one of the biggest, baddest SUVs of them all.

For those to which size matters, the Escalade ESV is all about "going big or going home."� The largest in the Escalade family, the ESV is 21 inches longer than its "entry-level" sibling.

Like the regular length Escalade, the ESVs exterior boasts smoother, cleaner exterior lines, only interrupted by nicely detailed front fender vent ports. The more detailed signature grille is as bold as ever, and should appeal to those premium buyers willing to move up-market from the Chevy Suburban

The spacious cabin comes equipped with heated and cooled leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and so much more. (Photo: General Motors)

and GMC Yukon XL that shares its basic architecture.

The interior of both Big Daddy Escalades, EXT included, comes in two colors, Ebony and Cashmere, the latter for those days when beige just wont do. With an instrument panel that is lower and moved forward compared to the previous example, its gauges light up via white needles and blue light inlays on continuously lit, white-LED backlighting.

The spacious cabin comes equipped with heated and cooled leather seats, and for those who suffer from cold hands, you dont even need a warm heart now that you can get this ride with a heated steering wheel? The Escalade ESV also comes with some other creature comforts, like an available 8-inch

If five seats are all you need and a box in the back could prove handy, Cadillac continues forward with its innovative Escalade EXT sport utility truck. (Photo: General Motors)

touch-screen navigation system, as well as a segment-first Bose 5.1 Digital Surround Sound system integrated into the new family of radios that play DVD audio/video, CD audio/video, MP3s and XM Satellite Radio. On that note, the ESV also adds an extra 8-inch flip-down monitor to make sure that third-row passengers are entertained.
If five seats are all you need and a box in the back could prove handy, Cadillac continues forward with its innovative sport utility truck, combining the luxury of an SUV with the usefulness of a pickup truck. Like the ESV, the EXT has cleaned up its image with a sleeker look. Cadillac claims this has led to better aerodynamics. Styled mirrors and integrated running boards also enhance Escalade EXTs design.

Just like the Escalade ESV, the EXTs engine sports 403 horses

The Escalade EXTs innovative midgate, which collapses the rear cabin wall in order to open up additional cargo space, writes a new chapter in automotive flexibility. (Photo: General Motors)

and 417 lb-ft of torque, this again more than just respectable. A new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission is matched up to both 6.2-litre engines, by the way. The two overdrive gears help deliver better performance and while improving fuel economy.

On the safety side, all Escalades come with four-wheel antilock-enhanced disc brakes, and GMs StabiliTrak stability control to help avoid rollovers. However, should you ever have a rollover curtain-type side airbags are included for all three rows.

While much improved, it is likely the 2007 Cadillac ESV and EXT wont exceed their current prices of $58,805 and $53,335 respectively when they go on sale this summer, and when factoring in that GM recently announced that it is MSRPs across its vast brand and model lineup, Escalade stickers could even come down. This would be good for ESV sales, being that the current 2006 model eclipses the six figure mark when fully loaded.

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