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CADILLAC ESCALADE PLATINUM EDITION
Hella Contributes Fresh LightingSystem
By Steve Purdy
Photos by Bob Benko
TheAutoChannel.com
DetroitBureau
We had a sneak preview this week of a truly peerless luxury SUV sure toplease the most demanding potentates and luxury lovers, due in Cadillacdealer showrooms this summer. Plenty of luxury SUVs vie for the big dollar,but none as big and luxurious as this one. Just one of its unique featuresis the ability to burn back the dark with the first full LED lightingsystem by Hella.
Hella and Cadillac together presented to a group of Detroit media folksa sample of the expensive, content-rich, 7-passenger Escalade ESV PlatinumEdition just before it was packed up and shipped to the Super Bowl to flirtwith VIPs gathered there. Hella showed off the innovative lighting asCadillac basked in the glow of this big step up in customer pampering.
While LED lighting has appeared on a handful of exotic vehicles, it hasbeen used in conjunction with HID, halogen or other systems. This EscaladePlatinum Edition is the first vehicle to use a full LED system, that is,high beam, low beam, parking and side lights as well as rear lighting.While more expensive than others this Hella LED system generates less heat,uses less energy and is expected to never need replacement. Additionally,the LED system allows for more precision in controlling the light patternand gives off light of a more natural, daylight color. They look prettycool as well.
Joining Platinum Editions of other Cadillac models this Escaladefeatures hand crafted, soft Aniline leather seating and trim with Frenchseams and contrasting-color stitching, embroidered Cadillac crest in theseat backs, two-tone wood door-to-door dash trim with a transitional inlay,special trim on the doors, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled cupholders and a DVD entertainment system with four – count ‘em,four – screens allowing three different programs at once.
Outside the 22-inch, 7-double-spoke, chrome wheels with semi-low profiletires enhance the urban ambiance. Front fascia is new, reflecting theevolutionary Cadillac design language exemplified by the popular newCTS.
In terms of performance and driving dynamics the Escalade PlatinumEdition come with GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, adjusting suspensiondamping in one millisecond increments to precisely control body motion.Power comes from Escalade’s exclusive 6.2-liter V8 with variablevalve timing making 403 horsepower, mated to the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speedautomatic transmission featuring two overdrive gears for maximum gasmileage.
First shown a the recent Miami Auto Show, the Platinum Editions (appliedto both the ESV and regular size Escalades) will be priced above the fullzoot existing Escalade. Pricing will not be announced until closer toselling date but look for them to come in around 80-grand.
Peerless? Well, I can think of no other vehicle this size, with thislevel of technology and particularly this degree of luxury content.We’ll do a full road test on the Escalade Platinum Edition later thisspring.
© Steve Purdy, Shunpiker Productions
All Rights Reserved
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