I had the pleasure of being at a media only event Wednesday where we were surprised with the new Escalade

It had some camo on it & we couldn't take pictures, but you guys will love this thing when the pictures do come out.

Some details:
- 400hp 6.2L engine standard
- 6-speed transmission standard
- front dash is NOT the same as Tahoe/Yukon (similar, but not too much)
- Nav system screen is HUGE
- 18 inch rims standard, 22's optional
- One touch open/close powered rear hatch
- Gauges are very slick. Totally blacked out when turned off (like old Deville), pure white when on (looks sick)
- 100X improvement from current gen Escalade in fit/finish and quality of materials
- Front facia is very similar looking to the STS.

Pictures will be out Nov 5th.

 

Merv.. can you confirm the mileage on the trucks.. someone said 14/18 and I thought that was a little on the lower side but I don't remember if that was without the DoD system. While not bad I would think that it should improve.
Also is the 400HP the only motor avail? or will they go with a smallar 5.3 ltr for 2WD models?

 

I heard the 14/18 number as well, however that is WITHOUT DOD. That will come later in the year or next year.

The 400hp motor is the only offered. No base model for 2wd. They had a death grip on the Navigator before, now they are going for the kill.

 

Regarding the Navi, the interior on those was pimp. It totally blew away the current Escalade. I'm hoping that the new interior on the Escalade is very nice and vast improvement over the current. What was your thoughts on the new interior?

And you're right in that the new Escalade will put a nail through the Navigatgors coffin. Especially if they get the interior right. The Cadillac's powertrain will make an absolute joke out of the Lincoln's. Lincoln STILL has the 300hp 5.4 from 1999 despite being on their 2nd gen.

 

2007 Escalade > *lux SUVs

 

The current Navi is nicer IMO than the current Escalade, though I have no doubt based on the pics and specs I've seen of the GMT-900s so far that the new Escalade will blow it away.

Competition is great. We are the ones that benefit so much in the end.

I'm interested to see what Lexus has up their sleeve. Their LX470 is nice and is probably one of it not the most capable luxury off roader on the market right now, but it looks very aged compared to most of the other luxo SUVs on the market, and is priced too high for what you get. Also needs a power boost (making 270-280 or something like that right now). From what I hear they'll be discontinuing the LX470 entirely next model year and replacing it with something pretty drastically different. Nobody has any idea what it is though.

 

Can't lose wit 22's.

 

Glad to hear the comment on the styling. I'm still sort of afraid of what it will look like after seeing the GMC and Chevy versions of the GMT-900.

 

Any word on those Buick "portholes" on the new Esclade?

 

GMI have some scoop shots of the Escalade, although the images are tiny. The second attachment shows the portholes.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...threadid=21994

Portholes are a necessity for vehicles with LSx IMHO due to the high heatsoak temps. Hopefully the portholes are functional and not there just for cosmetic reasons.

 

wow...

Looks like 2006 will be a good year for quiet a year for a couple of GM's divisons. Get some pics of the 22's when the time comes