Cadillac Escalade Third Generation

Production	2006 to 2014
Assembly	United States, Mexico, Russia
Designer	Wayne Cherry
Body style	5-door SUV 4-door sport utility truck
Layout	FR (Front-engine, rear-wheel drive) F4 (Front-engine, four-wheel drive)
Platform	GMT926 GMT936 (Escalade ESV) GMT946 (Escalade EXT, 2007–2013 MY)
Engine	6.0 L LFA V8 (hybrid gasoline / electric) 6.0 L LZ1 V8 (hybrid gasoline / electric) 6.2 L L92 V8 (gasoline) 6.2 L L9H V8 (gasoline / E85) 6.2 L L94 V8 (gasoline / E85)
Electric motor	60 kW (82 PS; 80 hp) 2x AC permanent-magnet electric motors
Transmission	6-speed 6L80 automatic CVT 2ML70 automatic
Wheelbase	116.0 in (2,946 mm) 130.0 in (3,302 mm) (ESV/EXT)
Length	202.5 in (5,144 mm) 222.9 in (5,662 mm) (ESV) 222.0 in (5,639 mm) (EXT)
Width	79.0 in (2,007 mm) 79.1 in (2,009 mm) (EXT)
Height	74.7 in (1,897 mm) (2007–09 2WD) 74.5 in (1,892 mm) (EXT & 2007–09 ESV) 74.3 in (1,887 mm) (2007–09 4WD) 2010–13 SWB: 75.9 in (1,928 mm) 2010–2013 ESV: 73.1 in (1,857 mm) 2012–2013 EXT: 74.5 in (1,892 mm)

The third generation of the Escalade based on the GMT-900 chassis was unveiled in the spring of 2006. In the first months of sales, the vehicles were only available as 4WD variants, then as a 2WD variant. In contrast to the optical transformation between the first and the second generation of the Escalade, this generation largely fits in with the basic design of its predecessor. The new Escalade has all-new sheet metal with sleeker, cleaner styling and improved aerodynamics, yet it remains instantly identifiable.  Larger, standard 18 x 8-inch machined aluminium wheels are tailored to fit the wheel openings more completely, creating a precise wheel-to-body relationship which appears to give Escalade a lowered stance. with improved aerodynamics.  The windshield angle of 57 degrees flows into the roofline and improves aerodynamic performance to a 0.363 CD (coefficient of drag), helping improve fuel economy and reduce wind noise.

History

Since the vehicle has almost complete standard equipment, came over the years only minor improvements in the various model years, such as 2009 z. B. known from many Cadillac models "Magnetic Selective Ride Control" chassis. 

Larger diameter seven-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, with an aluminium finish as standard and chrome finish as an option, a single-piece window surround, and seven layers of chrome accents.  Rear-end styling features an integrated trailer hitch cover.

The new interior styling fitted with premium materials not shared with any other GM full-size SUV.  The cabin is even more spacious, with an instrument panel that is lower and moved forward in the vehicle and comes in two colours  Ebony and Cashmere. Greater seat travel provides 1049 mm of legroom for front-seat passengers. Second-row seat legroom and knee room, and third-row seat headroom are also increased over the previous model.  The second and third-row seats also have more shoulder room while also offering standard roof-mounted side curtain airbags. The new occupant protection features include full-length side curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all three seating rows and a 360-degree front safety belt pretensioner system.  Sensors located at the front and rear of the vehicle, as well as the side doors, provide increased and  immediate crash detection.  The exclusive rear pretensioner sensors can trigger the front seat pretensioners during a rear-end collision, helping to prevent whiplash injuries.

Escalade’s instrumentation features gauges with white needles and blue light inlays with continuously lit, white-LED backlighting.  Flush-mounted controls and radios with enhanced array of audio, infotainment and safety options also include an eight-inch touch-screen navigation system, as well as a DVD system with large eight-inch flip-down screen. A Bose 5.1 Digital Surround Sound system is integrated into the new radios that play DVD audio, DVD video, CD audio, CD videos and MP3s.

A more premium feel as well as durability for the leather-covered seats, door trim and centre console, and fabric-covered interior pillars. 

The Platinum Edition includes LED headlamps, heated and cooled cup holders, reversing camera, superior leather interior, navigation system, DVD entertainment system and vented front seats.

Cargo room is increased by 118.9 litres behind the second-row seats (to 1708 litres) and by 65.1 litres behind the third row. The third-row seats fold flat and are tumbled forward or removed for maximum cargo carrying capacity. 

As with its predecessor, the third generation has been available as a pickup variant EXT since spring 2007, as well as a long version ESV . This time around, the EXT has a 490 mm length and the ESV 520 mm more than the normal Escalade. The ESV is based on the Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL, the EXT on the Chevrolet Avalanche. In Russia, the vehicle is sold under the name Cadillac DUU .  

Engines

The third-generation Cadillac Escalade is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine ( 6.2L Vortex 6200 V8 ). Furthermore, since the summer of 2008 a 6.0-liter V8 engine ( 6.0L Vortec 6000 V8 ) is available as a full hybrid. The formal presentation took place at the South Florida International Auto Show 2007 in Miami. Pure electric driving is thus possible on short distances of up to 40 km / h.

The new 6.2-litre V8 exclusive to Escalade, which generates a maximum of 409 hp (301 kW) at 5,700 rpm and 565 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.  With its cylinder heads and engine block now made from aluminium, the new V8 weighs less, gives improved weight distribution and fuel economy.  The V8 engine uses variable valve timing (VVT), to optimize camshaft timing, improving low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower.  The variable valve timing is operated through a dual-equal cam phaser which adjusts the camshaft timing at the same rate for both the intake and exhaust valves.

Transmission

The new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission, featuring clutch-to-clutch shifting and six forward gear ratios. These ‘closer’ ratios bolster both the performance and the smoothness of the transmission.  Driver Shift Control (tap up/tap down) capability allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with a button on the column shift – sequentially, one gear at a time.

Chassis

A new, fully boxed chassis frame offers a 49 percent increase in torsional stiffness and a 35 percent improvement in bending stiffness, for enhanced handling.  In addition, all front and rear suspension attachment points are stiffened for improved suspension performance and reduced road input into the vehicle, to boost NVH. The front suspension consists of an all-new system with short and long arm wishbones and coil-over-shock absorbers, a refined five-link rear suspension. Front and rear stabilizer bars help body roll while wider front and rear tracks (up by 76.2 and 25.4 mm respectively), further enhance stability.  The standard ‘Road Sensing System’ uses electronically controlled shock absorbers and special sensors to ‘read’ the road and anticipate the optimum damping rates.  

Brakes

Upgraded disc brakes front and rear are standard, with a new Bosch 8.0 four-channel ABS anti-lock system.  Larger vented front (330 mm) and rear (345 mm) brake discs, 50-percent stiffer dual-piston callipers, longer-life brake pads reduced brake noise and shorter stopping distances.  The ABS system works with the standard StabiliTrak stability control system’s new rollover mitigation technology.  This software technology uses sensors to proactively predict vehicle ‘tip-up’ and apply appropriate brake forces.