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Cadillac Escalade

1000 messages,  Last post on Nov 30, 2012 at 1:51 PM

You are in the Cadillac Escalade Forum.

What is this discussion about? Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Cadillac Escalade ESV, SUV

Messages Page 23 of 101

#215 of 1000 2002 escalade nitpicks by sevenfeet0

Oct 18, 2000 (9:30 am)

I agree the new Escalade looks to be worlds apart from its predecessor. I do have a couple of nitpicks after reading Caddy's website.


First, despite the new sound system and instrument cluster, the radio and climate control still looks like it's from the Tahoe/Yukon parts bin.


Second, in an age where all Sevilles, Eldos, DHSs, DTSs all have Zebrano wood, is anyone else bothered by the fact that the Escalade's dash is fake wood (although the steering wheel is real wood)?


Third, I know that tccad1 commented on the difficulty of adapting the Northstar to a rear wheel drive platform. Well maybe, but the Evoq will be that configuration. Of course that design team has a little more time to get the job done. Also, using the Vortec design means Caddy doesn't have to spend the money making a completely new transmission to go with it, which the Northstar would have demanded. Still, with Caddy products going RWD in the new few years, you gotta bite the bullet and spend the money to develop this sometime. The Northstar has been an extremely successful engineering and marketing platform for Cadillac. It's a shame not to use it in all applications possible.


Lastly, it's too bad the "It's good to be the Cadillac" ad campaign was done away with. The slogan alone rocked. And I still think the name "Escalade" is lame. My pick? The Cadillac Ranch

#216 of 1000 Nortstar... by mbml55amg

Oct 18, 2000 (12:30 pm)

As excellent as the Northstar platform is, in a vehicle that demands the flexibility to tow 7500 lbs today, & quietly sneak around town tomorrow, I wonder if the torque band inherent to the LS1 based engines, presently being used, doesn't offer significant advantages.

#217 of 1000 tccad1 by rsholland

Oct 18, 2000 (4:19 pm)

If what you're saying about the new Escalade
having a low range is true, that's good news.
Everything I've read to date, said that it would
NOT have a low range.


The new upscale GMC C-pickups and Denali SUVs are
reported to have AWD w/o a low range. I'm under
the impression that this is the same system that's
going in the Escalade. Am I wrong?


If the low range is button-operated, they're
probably using the same "AutoTrac" transfer case
that's used in the Tahoe, etc.


Bob

#218 of 1000 Low range and trannies by tccad1

Oct 19, 2000 (8:38 am)

I am at home writing this post, and will have to get the info tomorrow afternoon. The low range button called the "tow/haul" will allow for easier shifts to the transmission and allow for the 8700 pound capacity. I want to say they are using a different trans then the tahoe/yukon also. I can't remember the alphanumeric code off the top of my head.


sevenfoot0: Actually, I just got an internal memo stating that as of right now, the deville will remain front wheel drive. The evoq is using a new version of the northstar. One that has been properly modified to allow for the RWD. The Seville will use the same engine in 2003. And sadly, yes, it will not have an auto climate control (grrrr! Bad mistake). The audio system will be upgraded (I believe) to a 250 watt 11 speaker bose system. They tested it and said it is capable of sustaining 110 db. A jet engine is 130 db. A lawn mower is 90 db. My guess is they won't put that stereo in the other suv's.

#219 of 1000 tow/haul by rsholland

Oct 19, 2000 (3:18 pm)

That's different from a low range. In most vehicles, it simply means higher shift points (higher up the rpm scale before up-shifting), and may(?) also lock out the top overdrive gear.


It is not a low range, in that it does not offer a lower set of gear ratios, that a true duel-range transfer case offers.


A tow/haul feature is nice, but it is not a replacement for a low range. If I had my choice, I'd much rather have a true low range.


Bob

#220 of 1000 True RS by tccad1

Oct 20, 2000 (5:40 am)

However, I do believe that it will be using a different set of gear ratios to accomplish the low range. Keep in mind, I only had a 2 sentence blurb to form my opinion. Sounds like it will be a combo of the two the more I read it. I guess I will just have to drive it to see. If it snaps my neck while in tow/haul mode, it has low range. What else could possibly happen with 345 horsies!

#221 of 1000 after reading the brochure by tccad1

Oct 20, 2000 (7:50 pm)

RS, you might be correct. They mention the two speed transfer case on the MB and LX470. They don't say anything about a two speed transfer case on the escalade. I guess I jumped the gun again. Thanks for pointing it out Rob. Jeff

#222 of 1000 tccad by rsholland

Oct 20, 2000 (9:23 pm)

I think having AWD is definitely the way to go,
same with the tow/haul mode, but not having a low
range is a mistake. BMW and Acura have made the same mistake with their X-5 and MDX, no low range available.


If I'm paying that kind of money for a vehicle, I want to know I can get out of virtually any situation that I would encounter. Having a low range is like additional insurance when push-comes-to-shove. The Navigator, Land Cruiser/RX470, Range Rover and ML Mercedes are the only luxury SUVs that fit the bill, as far as I'm concerned.


Bob

#223 of 1000 rs by tccad1

Oct 21, 2000 (7:45 pm)

Just recieved the official caddy brochure for the truck yesterday. It does exactly what you say, no low range. However, and I am no expert on this, isn't it the torque that gets you out of a tight jam? That is all the low range does. If this vehicle can pull 8500 pounds using 385 torque at 4000 rpm, I would imagine that it can get you out of some tight jams. With the computers they are using today, the split is 32/68 front to back on power until it senses one of the wheels losing control. It then puts the power to one or more of the other wheels to regain a proper footing. I realize this truck is not meant for off road use. I know you would be crazy to go strutting around in Moab with it. I still think low range might be overkill on this truck.

#224 of 1000 tccad1 by rsholland

Oct 23, 2000 (2:56 pm)

Yes, torque is very important in term of getting you moving. What low range does -- it multiplys the torque factor, in effect giving you more torque for difficult conditions.


I don't thinks it's overkill. The Suburban offers the same engine - with a low range. I think the Tahoe does too (same engine/low range). The Navigator, the Escalade's closest competitor, also has a low range.


Again, Cadillac is GM's premium brand. "Overkill" should be part of the package. That's what Cadillac customers pay for.


Bob

Messages Page 23 of 101

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