Leftlane confirmed earlier this year that Cadillac was earmarked for a Lambda crossover vehicle, but it was unclear exactly what nameplate was up for Lambda consideration. But according to a new report, the Escalade will be making the switch from its truck-based GMT-900 platform to the more car-like Lambda architecture.
According to Automobile, the Escalade will be making the switch from SUV to CUV in light of upcoming CAFE standards and the complete fallout in the full-size SUV market. A date has yet to be set for the Escalades conversion, but the switchover should happen in 2012 or 2013 – about the time when the current Lambda vehicles (the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia) will be receiving their first major update.
Despite its switch to a crossover platform, the Escalade won’t be completely forgoing its bling-bling roots. In order to differentiate itself from the other Lambda vehicles (which could total two or three by the time the new Escalade’s launches) the Escalade will still be packing a V8 punch, although it remains unclear exactly what powerplant GM is eyeing for the luxury ‘ute.
The new Escalade will also sport Cadillac’s art and science design theme, as well as an interior unique from the other Lambdas.
As for the Escalade EXT pickup, it could receive a new lease in life in the form of GM’s Zeta platform – the same that underpins the Pontiac G8 and Chevrolet Camaro. Pontiac’s G8 ST sport truck is slated for production next year, and could serve as the basis for the next Escalade EXT. However, GM seems more committed to the Escalade than EXT, so it’s quite possible that the truck version could be sent packing in order to prepare for the newly passed fuel economy regulations.
09/09, 4:47 PM
posted by:
MugenSentraKen
=====>>doesn’t sound like such a bad idea, sometimes change=innovation….
09/09, 4:48 PM
posted by:
Astonman12
i didnt see this coming.
09/09, 4:52 PM
posted by:
trantz
Wish Cadillac would make a 1/2 ton crew cab with 6.2L V8, 22in. wheel, nav., sun roof, etc… the EXT is redundant.
09/09, 4:55 PM
posted by:
A4
the escalade is an all around suck fest, the only good thing about it is the engine, id much rather have a tahoe with a 6.2 swapped in just so i dont look like such a guido wannabe jackass from long island. good riddance.
09/09, 4:56 PM
posted by:
A4
and yeaa trantz that truck is called the GMC Sierra Denali, buy your own 22’s, its an awesome truck.
09/09, 5:51 PM
posted by:
EVOQ
I think this is a great move for the Escalade. I’m willing to bet majority of the buyers didn’t buy it for it’s 4×4, so having a less truck-like ride won’t hurt anyone’s feelings. As long as it continues to stand out and “bling” I don’t think anybody will care if it’s a “SUV” or “CUV”.
09/09, 6:19 PM
posted by:
A4
yeah but part of “bling” is being wasteful and overdoing it. You dont see priuses with rims.
09/09, 7:07 PM
posted by:
mattpiper
I can’t tell you how excited I am that yet another GM company is getting a vehicle based on the Lambda platform. ::sigh::
09/09, 7:10 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
No brainer. After all, when was the last time you saw a ‘Slade towing anything larger than the owner’s ego.
09/09, 7:50 PM
posted by:
EVOQ
A4…That sounds like a personal issue. The Prius and the Escalade aren’t anywhere in the same category, but if Toyota could get away with it, I bet they would.
09/09, 7:59 PM
posted by:
megeebee
I think this is probably the best thing that GM could do to keep the Escalade franchise viable in the face of such costly fuel. The Lamda architecture is proving to be popular. The Enclave and Acadia both sell very well despite being sold mainly at the same dealerships. The fact that they have so much in common under the sheetmetal doesn’t seem to be important to buyers.
.
The Outlook is the slowest seller and by quite a margin. So far this year, according to Automotive News Data Center, through the end of August 2008 the Acadia sales are 51,003. The Enclave 29,045. The Outlook only 18,600.
.
I’ll go out on a limb here and predict that the Outlook will not survive after the Escalade is moved to the platform. There would be no purpose in it. The Outlook is the cheapest Lamda on the market and sells the least. Why keep it when the Cadillac will bring in more $ ? And with the Chevy Traverse nealry on deck as I write this, 4 cousins on the platform will be quite enough.
09/09, 9:54 PM
posted by:
Astonman12
both the Chevy Traverse and Saturn Outlook are extremely boring as far as looks, in my opinion. I can see the Outlook getting the axe when this new Escalade comes out. What platform is the new SRX going to be on? Wouldn’t this new Lambda-Escalade be similar in size to the next SRX?
09/09, 10:01 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Nope, Astonman.. the SRX is going to be on the new Saab 9-4X platform, which is essentially a “premium” version of the one underneath the Vue and Equinox - much smaller than Lambda.
09/10, 12:07 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Wow. I’m stunned
09/10, 2:25 AM
posted by:
whips001
extremely dissapointed and do not believe they wiil axe the escalade or ext, they can increase the fuel economy to meet regulations. Cadillac will come out with a crossover but it wont ax the escalade on the GMT 900 platform that would be ****ing stupid
09/10, 11:53 AM
posted by:
oldraven
matpiper, is there something wrong with the Lambda platform? I’d much rather see a Lambda Escalade than a GMT-1000 one (1000 is an extrapolation of GMT-900). There is no reason whatsoever that the Escalade should be a body on frame truck.
09/10, 7:26 PM
posted by:
swamprat
Isn’t a Lambda a FWD based car? IS CADILLAC STUPID?????
10/08, 6:45 PM
posted by:
impala 4 life
THIS SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL WORK. I JUZ PRAY THAT THE LAMBDA ESCALADE DOESNT SHARE ITS LOOKS WIT ALL THA OTHER LAMBDAS
11/09, 2:19 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
NO! NO! NO!
There are already too many Lambdas, and now this. The General won’t remake this into an Escalade, unless the interior gets re-jiggered into seating for four.
And Caddy ST plan is even dumber!