Showing posts with label Cadillac Escalade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cadillac Escalade. Show all posts

GM Recalling More than 26,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs and Trucks


General Motors is expanding a previous recall concerning a faulty rear-axle cross pin to include another 26,751 SUVs and trucks from the 2011 model year. The first recall was issued in late December and concerned approximately 1,260
Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500s, and GMC Sierra 1500s, all from the 2011MY.

The updated recall now covers certain 2011MY Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; and GMC Canyon, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles.

The Detroit automaker said the rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle.

"Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning," said GM in a statement on NHTSA's website.

As expected, GM's dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge, with the safety recall to begin before the end of the month


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GM Issues Separate Recalls on Cadillac CTS and Escalade, and Chevy and GMC Trucks


General Motors is recalling close to 100,000 vehicles in two separate campaigns. In a posting with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], GM said the first recall affects almost 96,000 Cadillac CTS sedans from the 2005-2007 model years over concerns that some of the vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the passenger seat may break the connection. The company said that if this occurs, the sensor may not detect the presence of a front seat passenger and will disable the air bag.

Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge, however, GM has yet to provide an owner notification schedule for the CTS recall.

The second recall from GM concerns approximately 1,260 Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500s, and GMC Sierra 1500s, all from the 2011 model year. These trucks may have a faulty rear-axle cross pin, which could fracture and become displaced within the axle.

GM said that if the pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock, in which case, the driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning.

The company added that this safety recall is expected to begin during January 2011.


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Cadillac wants to "Conquer" the European Luxury Market - Again...


Those folks holding the reins over at General Motors are a funny bunch. Every so often then they announce some grand scheme to enter Europe's extremely competitive premium automotive market with their Cadillac brand.

After GM's most recent fiasco with Kroymans, a Dutch distributor that sold Cadillacs in Europe before declaring bankruptcy last year, the U.S. automaker will now establish its own organization, called "Cadillac Europe" that will import, distribute and market a selected range of models specified for the Euro market.

"Europe is an important market for Cadillac," says Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. "Re-establishing distribution of our premium offerings is good news for those who seek import exclusiveness".

Of course many Europeans have associated Cadillac's "import exclusiveness" with products such as the now discontinued BS BLS that was essentially a re-skined Saab 9-3 which in turn was heavily based on the Opel Vectra, but anyway.

At the Geneva Motor Show, Cadillac will give Europeans a taste of their newest products including the CTS Coupe that's sated to arrive in North American showrooms this summer and this fall in Europe as well as the new CTS Sport Wagon, CTS Sport Sedan, the range-topping 556HP CTS-V, the SRX crossover and the "oh so European" Escalade Hybrid.

No word on any diesel or small displacement gasoline engines. That said, we suspect that Cadillacs will continue to be a more rare sight than pink-colored Aston Martins on European roads.






Russians Build GAZ-51 Retro Hot-Rod from Cadillac Escalade EXT

Here at Auto Cars 2011 we're no strangers to custom made creations from Russia. Some we find extremely intriguing, some just plain daft, but all manage to bring a smile to our faces. This (unfinished) project is the work of a company called 'Grande-Garage' and according to our Russian friends over at Cardesign, the retro-styled pick-up truck that is inspired from an old soviet truck called GAZ-51, is based on the underpinnings of the Cadillac Escalade EXT. The one-off creation is said to be built for a Russian plutocrat. Since the project is still in the works, we'll hold our final judgment until after we see it finished.

Via: Cardesign


2008 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid Revealed

Ironic isn’t it; a 7,500 pound (about 3,400 kg) “hybrid” beast with a 6.0-liter V8 engine. However, on the other hand, if the Escalade manages to deliver more than a 50-percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving compared to the standard models as GM promises, it’s better than not having it at all. Cadillac’s Hybrid Escalade is powered the same 2-Mode Hybrid system as both the Yukon and Tahoe hybrids.

The 2-Mode Hybrid system consists of an electrically variable transmission (EVT) and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS) working in concert with the standard 6.0L V8 gasoline engine. According to Cadillac, the Escalade Hybrid will go on sale in the US in the summer of 2008. -Details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: Cadillac announced the world premiere of the Escalade Hybrid, the world’s first fuel-saving hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV. Powered by an innovative, fuel-saving 2-Mode Hybrid system, Escalade Hybrid will deliver more than a 50-percent improvement in fuel economy in city driving – all while delivering the same distinctive style, segment-leading features and full-size capability that have made the Escalade an icon.

“Escalade, already the sales and style leader among large luxury SUVs, now adds the desirability of a fuel-saving, technically advanced hybrid system,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “The arrival of Escalade Hybrid means that consumers can now use less fossil fuel, reduce emissions and still enjoy the benefits of a full-size luxury SUV.”

The Hybrid goes on sale in the US in the summer of 2008 and is the newest example of Escalade’s technology leadership. The potential for sales of the Hybrid in Europe are currently being evaluated with a decision expected within six months.

“No other manufacturer offers a hybrid than can seat eight luxuriously while simultaneously carrying or trailering lots of cargo comfortably,” Taylor said. “And no hybrid delivers the dramatic presence that is synonymous with Escalade.”

Escalade Hybrid is available in 2WD and 4WD configurations. It delivers up to 6,000 pounds (2,722 kg) of usable towing capacity on 2WD models and 5,700 pounds (2,565 kg) on 4WD models. All of Escalade’s standard comfort and convenience features are included. This includes an eight-inch, touch-screen navigation system that displays performance readouts of the 2-Mode Hybrid system on the screen.

Escalade Hybrid extends Cadillac’s leadership in the large luxury SUV category. Escalade sales have grown in the face of changing sales trends and increased competition. In fact, Escalade sales increased 22 percent in September over year-ago sales. Other models in the Escalade lineup include the extended-length Escalade ESV and the versatile Escalade EXT luxury-utility truck. The Hybrid model is available with the standard Escalade body style.

Patented 2-Mode Hybrid technology

The Escalade’s 2-Mode Hybrid system allows it to return exceptional fuel economy in both city and highway while delivering the capabilities of a true luxury SUV. In city driving, this advanced hybrid power system enables Escalade to launch and drive low speeds on electricity alone. As additional power is demanded, the system blends output from the battery and gas engine smoothly.

GM’s patented 2-Mode Hybrid system consists of an advanced electrically variable transmission (EVT) and 300-volt nickel-metal hydride Energy Storage System (ESS). These systems work in concert with the standard 6.0L V-8 Gen IV gasoline engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) and late-intake valve closing (LIVC) technology. AFM enables the V-8 engine to seamlessly shut off half of its cylinders when less power is needed, such as during highway cruising. This new hybrid system not only enables the Escalade Hybrid to drive low speeds on electricity alone, it also allows the 6.0L V-8 engine to operate in its more economical four-cylinder mode for longer periods.

The key to Escalade’s 2-Mode hybrid system is that the electric power used to propel the vehicle is generated by the hybrid system itself. When the brakes are applied or the vehicle is coasting, the electric motors within the hybrid system create electricity that is stored in the 300-volt battery. This stored energy is used to move the vehicle and the regenerative braking cycle is renewed.

The 2-Mode Hybrid system provides seamless, dependable power on demand in an efficient package. In fact, its electric motor is less than half the size of those in single-mode hybrid systems. This technology was developed and is still used in fleets of hybrid transit buses on the streets today in dozens of major North American cities. Scaled-down for use in full-size SUVs, the 2-Mode system delivers fuel savings where it is needed most – in large vehicles with high levels of capability. It is a core part of GM’s energy diversity efforts, which are centered on reducing dependence on petroleum, improving fuel economy, reducing emissions and minimizing the automobile’s impact on the environment.

Cadillac’s smooth and quiet power

Acoustic details specific to the Hybrid model ensure it delivers the superior luxury that has been an Escalade hallmark since its inception. The details include:

  • A new exhaust system and resonator specially tuned for the 6.0L LIVC engine’s Active Fuel Management operation. It ensures comfortable interior acoustics and a pleasant exhaust note during both V-4 and V-8 operation

  • An electrically driven, 300-volt air conditioning compressor reduces vibration and allows the HVAC system to cool the passenger compartment even when the gasoline engine is shut off. It includes the standard tri-zone climate system

  • An electrically driven, 42-volt variable-assist power steering reduces vibration and provides up to a 0.5-mpg fuel economy improvement by reducing parasitic losses common in belt-driven hydraulic systems

  • The Energy Storage System cooling system’s internal fan is tuned to be quiet at low vehicle speeds, when the fan could more easily be heard by the occupants.



Escalade aesthetic

The Escalade Hybrid retains the qualities that have made it the leading large luxury SUV and a standard-bearer of Cadillac’s overall product renaissance. It is instantly identifiable as a Cadillac and incorporates styling cues from the landmark Sixteen concept vehicle, including a detailed signature grille, front fender vent ports and layers of chrome accents.

The Escalade’s warm and inviting interior features a premium layout. It is available in two colors, Ebony and Cashmere. Standard features include a distinctive instrument panel; gauges with white needles and blue light inlays with continuously lit, white-LED backlighting; Nuance leather-covered seats; leather-covered door trim and center console; and a power-assisted rear liftgate that opens and closes with the touch of a button.