Being built in Arlington, Texas, 2015 Cadillac Escalade is a sophisticated luxury SUV in its fourth incarnation, designed to be bold outside and to keep well-known luxurious accommodation inside.
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The fourth-generation Escalade is an entirely new design yet instantly recognizable. Much of the story of Cadillac's redesigned flagship SUV is on the interior, where new levels of luxury combine with the latest technology.
The product line consist of the standard Escalade model, as well as the extended-length ESV edition, with offers a 14-inch-longer (355 mm) wheelbase and approximately 20 inches (508 mm) more in overall length, maximizing space for third-row passengers and 60 percent more cargo space behind the third-row seat than the Escalade. Offered with 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, Escalade features a new 6.2L V-8 engine that is more powerful and more efficient than previous models. Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control, the fast-reacting suspension system, is now standard.
The new interior features cut-and-sewn and wrapped materials, with wood trim options. Seats were engineered to be more comfortable and sculpted in appearance. The new interior is dramatically quieter, too, thanks to a stronger new body structure, new and enhanced acoustic material, and Bose Active Noise Cancellation technology. CUE, Cadillac's advanced system for connectivity and control, is standard featuring state-of-the-art voice recognition with touch controls.
A standard 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster has a head-up display projects information onto the windshield. An available Blu-Ray DVD rear entertainment system includes a nine-inch, roof-mounted screen on Escalade and two nine-inch screens on Escalade ESV. The front seating area offers more than 1.5 inches (44 mm) more headroom and more than four inches (101 mm) of additional legroom compared to previous models while the second- and third-row seats fold flat and a hands-free liftgate includes programmable height settings.
Craftsmanship defines the 2015 Escalade's passenger space, designed to be one of the industry's most authentic and luxurious cabins mixed with seamless technology integration for today's connected luxury customers. Real wood combined with premium cut-and-sewn materials and sueded accents, along with ambient lighting, were designed to add elegance to the interior design. Tight tolerances of the instrument panel and door panels, precision controls and triple-sealed doors were engineered and designed to reinforce a feeling of quality.
The performance threshold for the 2015 Escalade lineup rises with an all-new, more efficient 6.2L V-8 engine rated at an SAE-certified 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 460 lb-ft of torque (623 Nm), a nearly 5-percent increase in horsepower and 10 percent more torque. The greater torque delivers an enhanced feeling of power on demand, particularly from a standstill and at low speeds. The engine is matched with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission with enhanced TapShift control. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.
