Spike Lee introduced the new 2021 Escalade. Will the huge luxury vehicle be the new definition of success?
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Cadillac turned to Hollywood for the unveiling of its luxury 2021 Cadillac Escalade, with well-known director Spike Lee singing the praises of the all-new SUV. The 2021 Cadillac flagship is five inches longer, with more leg room and cargo room. Cadillac is always the first to unveil General Motor’s new technology and the Escalade has industry-leading new bells and whistles.
See Spike Lee’s introduction here.
“There is something special about driving an Escalade,” said Steve Carlisle, Cadillac president. “It has the bold presence and exclusive technology to elevate the extraordinary and make every drive feel like an occasion.”
New Huge, Curved Dashboard Display
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade features a huge wrap-around dashboard with 38 inches of digital displays. Cadillac claims that the new Organic Light Emitting Diode or OLED display has twice the pixels of a 4K television. The OLED is the first curved dashboard, enhancing the driver’s visibility. The system is made up of three different screens. There is a touch screen to the driver’s left, a 14-inch cluster display behind the steering wheel and a nearly 17-inch diagonal infotainment screen on the driver’s right.
“The 2021 Escalade takes its leadership into a new era of mobility, with comprehensive upgrades that are transformative to the driving experience,” said Carlisle. “It’s more than a new Escalade. It’s a new experience.”
Larger Vehicle But Smoother Ride
Much like its Chevrolet and GMC cousins, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is approximately five inches longer with a longer wheel-base. That length allows the Cadillac to have much more leg room, especially for the third-row passengers. It also allows for more cargo room.
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade features an all-new independent rear suspension, allowing each rear wheel to handle road conditions separately to improve ride quality and the driver’s control of the vehicle.
Cadillac’s signature Magnetic Ride Control uses sensors to continually “read” the road and alter the damping rate of the shocks almost instantly. According to Cadillac, it reacts much faster than computer-controlled shock absorbers to reduce vertical body motion and vibrations that can often resonate in a large SUV.
New Air Ride Adaptive Suspension is available as a new system that combines with Magnetic Ride Control. The system automatically adjusts the ride for different conditions. In highway driving, the system automatically lowers the ride height to improve aerodynamics. The driver can also lower the suspension two inches to make it easier for passengers to get in and out of the SUV. Drivers can also raise the body for additional ground clearance when driving off-road.
“Escalade’s new architecture enables a unique series of wins for drivers and passengers,” said Tim Herrick, vice president for global product programs. “We greatly increased passenger space, expanded cargo carrying capability – and at the same time delivered significant enhancements to both ride quality and handling performance.”
New Improved Super Cruise
The Cadillac Super Cruise system is already General Motor’s most-advanced driver assist technology. The new version will allow the driver to pass vehicles. Automated lane change will allow the driver to direct the system to perform a single lane change using the turn signal to indicate the direction of the desired move. The LiDar system will check to make sure the adjacent lane is open and available to complete the pass.
Studio Audio Quality
The 2021 Cadillac Escalade also features an incredible sound system. Cadillac has enlisted the help of AKG which is known for its stellar microphones and headphones. Escalade has developed a system with 36 speakers powered by three amplifiers, that will deliver 28 channels of audio, a first for the auto industry.
The fifth-generation all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade will be available in the third quarter. Pricing and fuel economy will be announced closer to delivery dates.
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