Next Escalade: 'King of Bling'

[Trendkiller Z28]

DETROIT -- General Motors might not have Snoop Dogg in a commercial. But it will have a Cadillac with factory-installed 22-inch wheels.

GM is still a few months away from unveiling its next generation of Cadillac SUVs, but the automaker already is nicknaming its 2007 Escalade the "King of Bling." GM can thank a few trendsetters for the tips.

Two years ago, during the early development of its next-generation Escalade SUV, GM brought in more than 30 of the biggest names in sports and entertainment as consultants on the vehicle.

A month ago, GM brought back the same group to make sure Cadillac got everything just right.

"We had a private showing to these same guys, and they gave us input that we then brought back," says Jim Taylor, Cadillac's general marketing manager. "They took another look, and I was pleased to hear from these hip-hop guys, 'I'm not going to have to do anything to this vehicle," in the aftermarket. "That was music to my ears."

To bling up the Escalade, Cadillac made 22-inch wheels optional (the 2006 model offers 20-inch wheels), added a glitzier chrome grille and used interior materials such as continuously lit white-LED backlighting and richer fabrics.

[absolom]

:grumble:

[Johnny_Pappis]

:( whatever sells i guess i mean its gonna end up with huge ass rims one way or another :(

[Pesticide]

If they are going to increase the size of the wheels shouldn't they look at increasing the size brakes?

[jr. gong]

I think that's hilarious, but whatever gets it selling.. :thumbup:

[79 Bird of Prey]

lots of people put bigger rims on SUVs anyways, i hope it sells well. also, 22" rims on a big SUV aren't bad.

[KlayBuRn]

22" rims are what should come on a huge ass truck/suv like that...

[dave1w41]

It is good to be the king. You might also note that it will be the most powerful SUV in its class when it debuts.

[MACGI 98 Z28]

I also guarantee that it will have bigger brakes. The truck is all-new and shares virtually no parts at all with the current truck. You will still have your standard Escalade and then you will have a "factory" hip-hop version that will dramatically increase in price and features...cool as hell all the way around. :D

[BrightRedOne]

Originally posted by dave1w41
It is good to be the king. You might also note that it will be the most powerful SUV in its class when it debuts.

Somebody is robbing the king of a few billion each quarter.

[jr. gong]

Originally posted by BrightRedOne
Somebody is robbing the king of a few billion each quarter.

That has to do with what?

I'm excited over the new Escalade, while a good SUV, I feel the interior wasn't on par with the Navigator/Aviator. But if it's anything like the Tahoe that was shown, it should be damn good. :cool:

[triggerjerk]

I love seeing white soccer moms driving suvs pretending to be Snoop or Fitty :lol:

[Kata Skopos]

anyone else think 22+" rims dont look good on stock ride height trucks? at least lower the thing:rolleyes:

[Z28SS MAN]

Anyone have any pics of this new Escalade? I've seen the new Tahoe.

[jr. gong]

Originally posted by needcash
anyone else think 22+" rims dont look good on stock ride height trucks? at least lower the thing:rolleyes:

I think all lowered trucks/SUVs are ugly

[Rapph]

damn there are gonna be some pissed off people who can barely afford that car come tire buying time.

[Element]

Originally posted by needcash
anyone else think 22+" rims dont look good on stock ride height trucks? at least lower the thing:rolleyes:

:werd: There's an F-150 around town with a lift kit...to clear his 24s. Evidently he knows shit about c-notches, trimming the fenderwells, ect. Looks like complete ass. Ther's also an OLD ass Dodge Caravan (89 or so) with chrome 22s on it. :umm: 40-something white woman drives it, too.

[Blakerson]

If I had a Cadillac Truck or SUV, I would not use it for anything but driving around town. So I would deff. want rims on it. :cool: You get a chevy truck/suv to haul shit and go hunting in.

[CT Morgan]

Originally posted by Raph8erxxx
damn there are gonna be some pissed off people who can barely afford that car come tire buying time.

Why? 22" tires aren't that expensive or hard to find at all any more. 24+ can get a little pricey, but 22's aren't bad. 20's are down right cheap.

[Kata Skopos]

Originally posted by CT Morgan
Why? 22" tires aren't that expensive or hard to find at all any more. 24+ can get a little pricey, but 22's aren't bad. 20's are down right cheap.

waht do you mean by "down right cheap"?

[CT Morgan]

Originally posted by needcash
waht do you mean by "down right cheap"?

I mean 20" tires are inexpensive. :boggled: That didn't seem that complicated. ;) There are plenty of major brand 275 20's available for very reasonable prices.

[adam]

:pics:

I bet it looks good.

[alivegy]

Originally posted by Johnny_Pappis
:( whatever sells i guess i mean its gonna end up with huge ass rims one way or another :(

With the market they're going for, I don't this kind of thinking is necassary. Especially after seeing 2 tons cars with 22 inch wheels and drum brakes.

[Trendkiller Z28]

A little more info on the 07 Escalade. Info comes from gminsidenews.com.

I just finished a Cadillac Satellite Traning seminar on the 2007 Escalade and I must say that the vehicle is very impressive. During the video Cadillac gave some brief glimpses of the Escalade. The official public introduction will take place on November 9th on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

I must say that the looks of the Escalade are striking. The Grille and Headlights are extremely reminiscent of the Cadillac Sixteen. There is even a "vent" at the top rear of the front fenders like on the Sixteen. All body cladding is gone and the Escalade has its own fenders, doors, etc. It is not sharing door panels with the Tahoe, Yukon.

The Escalade has a wider track and has a very powerful stance, especially when equipped with the optional 22" Wheel and Tire Package. Body panel gaps have been reduced by 25% and are very tight. In addition, the front clip and bumper are now attached to the body instead of the frame. This eliminates the huge gap at the bottom of the grille in the previous Escalade.

Most of you already know all of the technical specs regarding horsepower, etc. so I will skip that for now. They did announce that they are anticipating gas mileage of 14/18 even with the increase in horsepower. Additionally, DOD (displacement on demand) will NOT be present at the start of production, but could be phased in late in the 07 model year or at the start of 08 production. The DOD will increase mileage even more!

I know that this is just a brief synopsis, but I assure you that you will all really enjoy the new Escalade.

[79 Bird of Prey]

bad gas milage though >_<

[Trendkiller Z28]

and a little more info via gminsidenews.com........

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.