2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV - full-size SUV

A free article on Cars

By: John Blackson

The vehicle is 21 inches (53.4 cm) longer than Escalade, translating into more premium seating and cargo-carrying capability. It features all the same elements and features as the Escalade, but adds an extra DVD system with large eight-inch flip-down screen for third-row passengers.

Based on General Motors’ all-new full-size SUV platform, the ’07 Escalade ESV features new powertrain, chassis, safety and interior systems. These integrated systems deliver the most powerful full-size SUV in the segment, led by a new 6.2L all-aluminum V-8 engine with variable valve timing technology delivering 403 horsepower (301 kW* and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm).

The all-new 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV with all-wheel drive is available in spring 2006. It also will be sold outside North America, strengthening Cadillac’s global portfolio.

Escalade ESV is identical to the standard Escalade from the front doors forward. It has a sleek, clean and athletic form with improved aerodynamics, while appearing smaller in stature than its predecessor. It is instantly identifiable and incorporates styling cues from Cadillac’s landmark Sixteen concept vehicle, including a more detailed signature grille, front fender vent ports and layers of chrome accents.

All the major sheetmetal and body components are new and feature crisp, taut lines. The sleek, toned look includes a faster windshield angle of 57 degrees, which flows gracefully into the roofline. This also improves aerodynamic performance to a segment-best 0.36 coefficient of drag, which helps improve fuel economy and reduce wind noise.

The all-new interior is a cornerstone of the new Escalade ESV and sets a new standard for interior refinement and passenger space. One example is the underside of ESV’s new industry-exclusive power fold-and-tumble second-row seat. It has been finished with carefully designed “closeouts” that cover mechanical elements that would otherwise be visual or physical obstacles to easy third-row access.

The warm and inviting interior is complemented with premium materials and a distinct layout. The cabin also is more spacious than its predecessor, with a lower instrument panel that is moved forward in the vehicle. This interior comes in two colors: Ebony and Cashmere . The vehicle features 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, fabric-covered interior pillars, available heated and cooled front seats and heated steering wheel. A standard, power-assisted rear liftgate opens and closes with the touch of a button.

Escalade ESV also includes an available 8-inch touch-screen navigation system, as well as a DVD system with two large eight-inch flip-down screens. A segment-first Bose 5.1 Digital Surround Sound system is integrated into the new family of radios that play DVD audio/video, CD audio/video, MP3s and XM Satellite Radio.

A new 6.2L V-8 rated at 403 horsepower (301 kW)* and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm)* is exclusive to the Escalade family. This all-aluminum engine uses v ariable valve timing (VVT) to optimize camshaft timing to improve low-rpm torque and high-rpm horsepower. The introduction of variable valve timing through the unique, dual-equal cam phaser is the industry’s first application of VVT on a mass-produced V-8 overhead-valve engine.

Escalade ESV is designed to be among the industry’s safest and most secure vehicles, with numerous safety systems and crash-avoidance technologies. New occupant protection features include head curtain side air bags with rollover protection for all seating rows and an industry-first 360-degree front safety belt pretensioner activation system.