Just saw the New Escalade on Motorweek. Dang, to me that's awefully impressive. That's faster than a LOT of cars on the road, and it almost weighs 3 tons. That new 6.2L pushrod engine with VVT is awesome. 400+ HP/TQ. The upgraded suspension looks very nice too, as well as the full time AWD.

That's all. I love the interior and the sleeker exterior. Don't care for how they are making EVERYTHING power operated though. I mean, if you can't flip a seat forward by yourself, then something is wrong with you. Even the power rear tailgate seems a little excessive to me.

Dan

 

Does it come up with some blinged out 25" rims?

 

No, but I think you can get Chrome 22's straight from the factory.

Funny.

Dan

 

Not bad, that poor motor has a big task at hand pulling around that SUV.

 

Power lift gate and power third row seats are mandetory on the Escalade considering you can even get them since the 2003 model year on the Expedition.

They definitely do come in handy for people who have kids, because you may want that seat down for grocery shopping and then up again in the same day to pick up the kids and not having to go through the motions is a nice feature... certainly no more 'lazy' than some of the other power features.

I bet we'll see the RWD crack into the very high 14s without a doubt.

 

Of coarse they need to stay in the ballgame, and be competitive, but as a whole, I'm a little frustrated with "power everything"

I'd rather keep the cost and added weight out of vehicles, for those tasks that are simple to do manually and have no reason for power operation. Maybe I'm on the minority though.

I'm not a fan of SUV's at all, mind you. I just thought the #'s were impressive for a 5818# SUV.

Dan

 

You aren't in the market for a luxury SUV then. Luxury vehicles are virtually defined by including "gee-whiz" gadgets and power accessories that no usual person would demand. The Escalade got criticism in one review for not including a power telescoping steering wheel. Who needs it? The people paying $70,000 for their vehicle "need" it.

 

I'm pretty impressed with the new Escalade.

It has a simply awesome interior. It's exterior is as flashy as luxury cars were in the 1930s (or 50s for that matter). That big barge runs with cars that were considered very quick just a few years ago.

I'm not an SUV fan, I think Escalade's priced into the stratosphere for being a re-done Tahoe, and all those electronic gizmos send the Escalade's weight into "delivery truck" territory. But I can't help but to admire them when they go by or in the valet parking lot next to Mercs and Bimmers.

 

Does it bother anyone that this gargantuan machine goes so fast? It is my belief that a vehicle that is so large and heavy doesn't need to go fast. Wouldn't a fast 3 ton vehicle with marginal handling and braking scare anybody?

 

Who said it has marginal handling and braking?
I see people doing 80-85mph on the turnpike in Trailblazers and Explorers all of the time. The Escalade may just get there faster.

 

It stopped from 60-0 in 133 ft., just 2 ft. longer than the Mercedes Benz S-class sedan, 4 ft. longer than the BMW 3-series, and 5 ft. longer than the Dodge Charger SRT8.

Dan

 

I can understand the concern. It's like a land yacht of a speeding bullet.

 

The vehicles capabilities dont concern me...what concerns me is ritzy soccer moms can get more speed before they ram the "refridgerater perry" of automobiles into something.

 

I think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves. I see kids in Z28's acting much more stupid and dangerous then any Soccer Mom in an SUV...

 

I agree, though with all other conditions equal, that soccer mom is going to do far more damage. Then again it's the kids in Z28s doing 80 mph through neighborhoods, losing control at the worst times, etc...