17 Votes

Boost it!

Next Escalade to go to Lambda

bankhead submitted on 9/8/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:59:08 PM

26 user comments | Category: New Cars | Source: | SOURCE: www.motortrend.com

Tag Links: Escalade, Lambda

Why not? Cadillac's breakout hit began life as a gussied-up Chevy Tahoe.

How big a hit? Word is that Cadillac paid off tooling for the current Escalade just three months after it went on sale. And that's why the division can consider a new SUV -- okay, a crossover SUV -- just as it's putting the big DT7 DTS/STS sedan convergence on ice for a year.

The fact that the Lambda platform already is over-subscribed, with the Chevrolet Traverse, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave is why a Cadillac version makes economic sense. And since GM had considered, but cancelled, a V-8-powered Enclave Super, we know a Lambda Escalade will easily package a V-8, in this case a small block, since the Northstar replacement that was supposed to power the Enclave Super also has been cancelled.

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Next Escalade to go to Lambda

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bankhead

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— bankhead (View Profile)


User Comments

CARsFAN19

So , it will be to small then the current Escalade and less power ?!!

— CARsFAN19 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 2:23:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

1995e34

sounds much better.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 3:24:00 PM | | Votes: 1   

91z4me

It will be lighter, more car like and more economical. Although I am sure we will all agree that styling is what sells the Escalade more than anything. So long as that is there this crossover should sell fairly well.

Personally I think this is a cop-out and GM should transition the Escalade onto a RWD Sigma or Zeta based crossover. But if the money isn't there what other options do they have?

— 91z4me (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 9:21:59 PM | | Votes: 1   

PlanB

The Lambda platform is almost as big as the current Escalade/Tahoe but can return much better fuel economy and comfort in the process. I say go for it, the only drawback I can think of would be towing capacity dropping off.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 2:28:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

CARsFAN19

So what your saying that will be the same platform and the same size as the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave !!
I think it`s a good choice to make this big step ..

— CARsFAN19 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 2:57:08 PM | | Votes: 3   

HSCenterconsole

Now the drug dealers, rapper wannabe's, and gu-dos can get better future gas mileage.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 2:56:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

lewishamiltonpimp

Umm...it's Guido.

But I agree. Own one of these and you are definitley sterotyped and with good reason

There are 4 in my hood all owned by black folks and conversely there are a coupe of Yukon XLs (and my Suburban) that are all driven by white milfy soccer mom types.

Each to his own I suppose. Frankly I think it is gawdy and ghetto.

— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 3:54:15 PM | | Votes: 5   

HSCenterconsole

I didn't know if we could say the whole word on here, hence I removed the letter "i" lewishamilton.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 4:05:08 PM | | Votes: 0   

1995e34

its the official car of strippers

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 4:46:19 PM | | Votes: 3   

1995e34

damikco is my dealer, and i drive a 5 series.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 8:37:18 PM | | Votes: 0   

bmwdrvr

why cant the people on this site keep it on cars, and not racist remarks...it baffles me, and the site moderators have no problem with it.......if you honestly believe that the reason why Escalades have sold well is because only minorities buy them...your even more common and ignorrant as your comments......

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/9/2008 12:02:24 AM | | Votes: 1   

Agent001

Because to the detriment to our country their are still a lot of racists in the USA.


They should be ashamed.

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/9/2008 12:03:56 AM | | Votes: 3   

steve27t

"Cadillac paid off tooling for the current Escalade just three months after it went on sale" No wonder. They obviously did not spend very much. Badge engineering at its best (or worst). Sharp edges mixed with rounded panels from the donor vehicle. I cannot see why people praise the looks.

— steve27t (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 3:49:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

bigTYME

It's big and looks presidential. Not to mention it gets to 60 in 6.5 seconds, at 2 mpg. And the people who buy them feel like they are closer to God, sitting an extra yard above everyone else, which explains why they drive like they are invincible. I think I would consider one though, if gas went down below $3/gal.

— bigTYME (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 10:27:02 PM | | Votes: 1   

B7FAN

they need to drop the SRX and make this

— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 3:49:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

91z4me

The SRX is moving to the TE platform along with the SAAB 9-4x. Styling is based on the Provoque concept. This was already announced, perhaps you should comment a little less and read a little more.

— 91z4me (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 9:24:11 PM | | Votes: 1   

B7FAN

91z4me: it seems like you really care about cadillac or GM which I dont so you keep reading and i will keep my comments going....thanks for your useless input

— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 9/9/2008 8:06:01 AM | | Votes: 1   

91z4me

I told you something you didn't know. I educated you. My comment was not useless. Yours, however, was.

— 91z4me (View Profile)

Posted on 9/9/2008 12:43:45 PM | | Votes: 1   

dumpsty

This a rumor to a very smart move...will GM follow-through, don't know?

The Escalade may end up being smaller, but that'll be good thing. First off, it won't be THAT small. The Lambda-based CUVs are fairly sizable currently. Secondly, the SRX has already been downsized as the next gen will be built of the Theta(?) platform. And lastly, GM's small-block V8 (5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L) will fit in there also. If a V8 can be stuffed into a CTS (or even a Solstice), they've got plenty of space in the Lambda platform.

It's time for GM to make a smaller Escalade and really put elegantly designed materials and content into to be a real luxury utility vehicle. Leave the rock climbing & hauling capability to the mainstream brands.

And think, if a Lambda Escalade is actually made, the Denali XT concept might not such a wet dream in concept-land.

— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 4:03:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

91z4me

The Lambda engine bay is actually smaller than the Theta platforms! The two mode hybrid system (which is essentially contained in the transmission) will fit under the Theta platform but not the Lambda bay. Essentially a bad decision was made at some point and GM may have to pay for it soon.

— 91z4me (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 9:29:40 PM | | Votes: 1   

t_sotello

doesn't cadillac already make a small SUV and doesn't that small SUV suck. I say stick with the big body and let it be shown!!

— t_sotello (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 5:06:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

LUXCAR32

I agree SRX crossover is similar in size to the enclave, acadia, etc and it's proportions and styling are terrible! If the Escalade is still selling, why change to and uglier platform, people buy it for its big bold looks.

— LUXCAR32 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 8:53:07 PM | | Votes: -1   

dumpsty

The current SRX is going away and a new SRX will be replaced by a smaller better-looking design. The current SRX is not as small as you indicate...where it's probably as large as the Lambda SUVs. The next SRX will be a little larger than the current Theta SUVs.

I would expect the new SRX interior to mimic the new CTS interior.

OK, the Escalade IS still selling, but that don't make it better. GM is getting out of the habit of resisting change b/c a vehicle is "still selling" well. I believe that a new Escalade on a shorter, crossover-oriented platform will provide for an exceptional luxury SUV. Not just a BIG vehicle wearing luxury badges.

— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 9/9/2008 10:18:39 AM | | Votes: 1   

Bored

I like the ideal, but think they should do both a Lambda-based Esca wlade and keep the full-size one in smaller quantities as well -- think MB's ML, GL and G-classes, not in terms of luxury class, but in terms of having options. A Lambda-based Escalade would easily satisfy 98% of its customers by offering size, economy, flexibility, and/or "status" (sadly, some people gotta have that one) because these people never go off-road anyway. The other 2% could have the full-sized one because they do go off-road, need the torque, towing capacity, yet want the luxury. Additionally, the full-sized one could be a better platform for hybrids (without the stupid badging) and/or diesels.

— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 9/8/2008 6:45:07 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

bmwdrvr

the escalade isnt an off road vehicle in the slightest, its a big truck based suv that is desighned for on road driving..kinda backwards when you say it like that, but it is no where near beign rugged

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/9/2008 11:35:03 PM | | Votes: 1   

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