RE: Cadillac Escalade EXT: Spotted
Tuesday 13th February 2018
The entrance into our lives of Ford's gargantuan Raptor has had a lasting impact on almost every resident of PH Towers. Not only has it redefined our concepts of big, brash, and bank-balance bleedingly thirsty, but it has also brought to our attention the benefits of driving gaudy, over-sized pickups - even here in the UK, far from their natural habitat.
I am, of course, joking - mostly - but there have been a few genuine upsides to the sheer scale of the thing. Potholes are ironed out seamlessly, making for an implausibly comfortable ride; the elevated vantage point and gigantic mirrors make keeping track of traffic-dodging cyclists and mopeds a breeze; and the amount of space to stretch out in is roughly equal to the square footage of the average studio flat, which is nice.
The Cadillac Escalade is the epitome of SUV bling, from rappers to CEOs, athletes to oil tycoons, it's the definitive stateside status symbol. What we have here, is the EXT version, a pick-up variant heavily based on the Chevy Avalanche - but try not to let that put you off. Its 6.2-litre V8 puts out 403hp and 417lb ft, getting you from 0-60 in a good amount of time and going on to a top speed of more than you'd probably feel comfortable doing. It's surprisingly practical too, with a "Convert-a-Cab" composite bed that can be expanded into the cabin through a bottom-hinged door, seating for five, and a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Cadillac Escalade EXT: Spotted
Can a low mileage and a high output make up for what this Cad is lacking?
They remove a lot of the stress from urban rush hour commuting, for one: simply pick where you want to go and go there, as everyone else is forced to yield to your might. Lane discipline might be a concern initially, but a left-hand drive design makes it a doddle: just keep two wheels on the cycle path at all times and you'll be fine. Finally, the humongous wheels mean there is no curb too tall to prevent easy parking, however much of the pavement you need to take up.
Unfortunately, the Raptor is not headed to these shores, meaning we have to make do with lusting over similar propositions that have already arrived - which brings us to today's Spotted.
Of course, the Escalade EXT's greatest claim to fame came as the car of choice for villainous henchmen The Twins in The Matrix Reloaded - a decision based absolutely on the practicality and cache of the design, and not a marketing deal between Cadillac and Warner Bros. So, follow the white rabbit, take the red pill, and check out the full ad here.
SPECIFICATION - CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT
Engine: 6,161cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 403@5,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 417@4,300rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 27,000 miles
Price new: $64,055
Price now: £25,000
See the full advert here
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Discussion
I bought a 2007 Escalade (not the version pictured but same generation) new via a now defunct US car importer. Was dreadful. The main issue was the suspension just wasn't up to London speed bumps and kept malfunctioning. Parts were very hard to get hold of as was anyone who knew their way around the thing to service and maintain it. Depreciation was predictably epic and it wasn't all that nice to drive. Bottom line, a completely idiotic buying decision that I regretted almost immediately and would never touch one again in this country.
My wife an I have always liked these after seeing them on our first new york trip some 16 years ago. We finally got to ride in one this xmas while in dubai. It is huge like no other vehicle but the Americans do luxury in a very American way hard to describe it but when I think of luxury an the US i have an image in my head of a hotel room with shiny wood like veneer everywhere. Its not bad or good just different especially if you have never stayed in a luxury hotel somewhere else in the world or driven a range rover etc.
An perhaps thats it this thing looks cool but as a luxury vehicle it just misses the mark.
An perhaps thats it this thing looks cool but as a luxury vehicle it just misses the mark.
easytiger123 said:
I bought a 2007 Escalade (not the version pictured but same generation) new via a now defunct US car importer. Was dreadful. The main issue was the suspension just wasn't up to London speed bumps and kept malfunctioning. Parts were very hard to get hold of as was anyone who knew their way around the thing to service and maintain it. Depreciation was predictably epic and it wasn't all that nice to drive. Bottom line, a completely idiotic buying decision that I regretted almost immediately and would never touch one again in this country.
Wouldn't happen to have been the old American importer place in Barnes would it? Long gone but I recall them having a couple of Escalades there years back.This vehicle belongs to an era of Cadillac that I would refer to as "caricature of luxury" which spanned from, say, the mid 1970s to the early 2000s (when this particular vehicle was launched).
In contrast, the current Escalade (fully enclosed, no pickup bed) is rendered smart on the outside and with a worldly sense of luxury on the inside.
The Escalade EXT was discontinued in 2013. It was always a niche vehicle and it was simply an easy way for General Motors to respond to the Lincoln Blackwood -- an upscale pickup truck offered by the Lincoln division of Ford. The Blackwood was perhaps an idea before its time; it was more window dressing on an F-150 than anything profound; it was mostly ignored.
Sensible use of chrome accents can look fabulous on this sort of vehicle, especially those coloured black. But the example here uses far too much chrome and is but one example of how, for more than a quarter century, Cadillac became unthinking and lost its way.
In contrast, the current Escalade (fully enclosed, no pickup bed) is rendered smart on the outside and with a worldly sense of luxury on the inside.
The Escalade EXT was discontinued in 2013. It was always a niche vehicle and it was simply an easy way for General Motors to respond to the Lincoln Blackwood -- an upscale pickup truck offered by the Lincoln division of Ford. The Blackwood was perhaps an idea before its time; it was more window dressing on an F-150 than anything profound; it was mostly ignored.
Sensible use of chrome accents can look fabulous on this sort of vehicle, especially those coloured black. But the example here uses far too much chrome and is but one example of how, for more than a quarter century, Cadillac became unthinking and lost its way.
Resolutionary said:
Wouldn't happen to have been the old American importer place in Barnes would it? Long gone but I recall them having a couple of Escalades there years back.
Nope. IIRC the people I dealt with were called American Car Imports (or similar) who were based somewhere in north London. Nice enough guys but no pretence of actually servicing or maintaining the vehicles they sold.Hiro11 said:
This is hardly the "definitive status symbol stateside". People buy Porsches, Ferraris, Astons and the like here like anywhere else.
Indeed. Even where I live in Mexico, they’re seen as the equivalent of a first gen X5, badly wrapped in white with 24” black wheels. People who want status symbols buy new Q7s / Acuras / GLs.I however love them, and I’d gladly swap my A6 for one. Most people I know here would probably think of it as a downgrade, but I know what I’d rather be driving around in.
Hiro11 said:
This is hardly the "definitive status symbol stateside". People buy Porsches, Ferraris, Astons and the like here like anywhere else.
True. I don't believe, however, that anybody in this thread has suggested that Cadillac in general and Escalade in particular (not to mention the discontinued Escalade EXT) are dominant forces in the US luxury sector.The US has for decades been the greatest volume marketplace for the individual premium / luxury brands that you list. China's on its way, of course, but the US will continue to exercise a particular and unique sort of influence.
In a sense, considering the revival led by Johan de Nysschen, Cadillac is attempting to return to the premium / luxury category.
Edited by unsprung on Wednesday 14th February 15:38
JoPo1 said:
I have the older one. I’ve had mine for years and still enjoy it. Not the best on fuel but parts are very cheap from the states and insurance is pennies. I’ll probably upgrade to a newer one soon.
This is mine..
I actually really like the look of that, it's smart afThis is mine..
- Let the hate begin*
Danez said:
JoPo1 said:
I have the older one. I’ve had mine for years and still enjoy it. Not the best on fuel but parts are very cheap from the states and insurance is pennies. I’ll probably upgrade to a newer one soon.
This is mine..
I actually really like the look of that, it's smart afThis is mine..
- Let the hate begin*
Danez said:
JoPo1 said:
I have the older one. I’ve had mine for years and still enjoy it. Not the best on fuel but parts are very cheap from the states and insurance is pennies. I’ll probably upgrade to a newer one soon.
This is mine..
I actually really like the look of that, it's smart afThis is mine..
- Let the hate begin*
JoPo1 said:
I have the older one. I’ve had mine for years and still enjoy it. Not the best on fuel but parts are very cheap from the states and insurance is pennies. I’ll probably upgrade to a newer one soon.
This is mine..
I had a wee nosey round this at that show. Was that 2015? If you were there 2016 you might have seen me eating a tarantula on the stage This is mine..
- Let the hate begin*
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