The Escalade Hybrid should get 50 percent better mileage than the standard version.
(Credit: Cadillac)Cadillac gives a nod towards the environmental set with its all-new hybrid Cadillac Escalade, which gets a 50 percent fuel economy improvement over the standard Escalade. The Escalade has been a symbol of conspicuous consumption, so it seems surprising that Cadillac would outfit it with a gas-saving hybrid powertrain. But this hybrid system, developed in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz and BMW, works very well, and won't detract from the Escalade's luxury image. We've driven a GMC Yukon Hybrid using this same system and came away impressed. Starting out, the truck drives like a Prius, under electric power up to 25 or 30mph if you keep the throttle light. When it's needed, the big 6-liter V-8 kicks in. At a stop light, the gas engine turns off, saving gas and emitting no pollutants. The Escalade Hybrid also uses regenerative braking, which charges up its batteries and saves wear and tear on brake linings.
GM hasn't released mileage numbers for this beast yet, but given that a two-wheel-drive Escalade gets an EPA-rated average of 14mpg, a 50 percent increase could put it above 20mpg, quite an achievement for a truck of this size. Cadillac has a few other tricks to save gas, such as a cylinder deactivation system that stops sending fuel to half of the engine cylinders during low-load cruising, on the freeway for example. Could the Escalade Hybrid inspire a new music genre of eco-rap?
If green isn't your color, Cadillac brings the bling with the Escalade Platinum, announced at the same time as the hybrid. The Escalade Platinum comes pre-pimped, with 22-inch wheels and a hand-crafted interior. Its DVD player uses LCDs mounted in the back of each headrest along with a roof-mounted LCD, suitable excess for the Escalade. It will also be one of the first production vehicles to employ LED headlights, following the Lexus LS 600h. We will be seeing both Escalades at the upcoming Los Angeles auto show.
Click the image to see a video from the campaign
You know the times are a-changin' when you see Bob Dylan in a commercial for the Cadillac Escalade. In an ad campaign beginning today with a 30-second TV spot, the counterculture icon is shown driving across the desert behind the wheel of the '08 blingmobile in an effort to highlight its as-standard XM Radio. Dylan hosts his own "Theme Time Radio Hour" show on XM, which will this week feature a Cadillac-themed episode.
In today's press release, Liz Vanzura, Global Marketing Director for Cadillac, said that the automaker was "pleased to join XM in this exciting campaign that brings together two great American icons--Cadillac and Bob Dylan--to reinforce the unparalleled XM listening experience available as a standard feature in every Cadillac."
Look out for print and online advertising to follow the TV spots sometime in November.
(Credit:
SkyMall)
Let's say you want to impress your golfing buddies but are afraid of accidentally doing bodily harm to them with a mini-Hummer. There's another way to state your machismo, with the "Berline Cadillac Escalade Golf Cart."
It's actually a little cheaper than the Hummer too--if $13,995 can be called cheap at any juncture, that is, for a golf cart. That buys you "a hand-laid fiberglass body, marine-grade vinyl seats, custom paint and chrome mirrors," according to Uncrate, though a custom hard top will cost more.
The Escalade cart is electric despite its SUV appearance, so it's a fair compromise without going the full solar-powered route. And you won't make a complete fool of yourself tooling around in one, as long as you stay on the golf course.
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