Bruce Nunnally Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 ESCALADE PLATINUM OFFERS UNPRECEDENTED LUXURY, STYLE AND EXCLUSIVITY LOS ANGELES – Cadillac announced the introduction of the 2008 Escalade Platinum, a special edition of the segment-leading large luxury SUV that takes Cadillac’s dramatic design, elegance and technology to its fullest expression. Making its world premiere alongside the upcoming Escalade Hybrid, Cadillac announced the Platinum edition will come to market in the spring of 2008 as the most luxurious model in the Escalade lineup. It rounds out a full series of Cadillac Platinum models, including the XLR Roadster, DTS luxury sedan and STS performance sedan. Each model in the Platinum lineup is characterized by elegant cabins featuring handcrafted leather, advanced technology and unique design details throughout. “The new Platinum edition elevates and extends Escalade’s position as the large SUV of choice among luxury consumers,” said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. “The growing Platinum series highlights the handcrafted details and technical sophistication of Cadillac’s overall product renaissance.” Advanced technologies Offered on Escalade and the extended-length Escalade ESV, the Platinum edition includes a blend of technical innovations and aesthetic enhancements. Escalade Platinum will be the world’s first SUV to be equipped with Cadillac’s advanced Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) technology. Magnetic Ride Control, originally developed for performance vehicles such as the STS sedan, XLR Roadster and Chevrolet’s legendary Corvette, is the world’s fastest reacting suspension system and gives the Escalade Platinum more precise body motion control. It is a real-time damping system – “reading” the road in 1-milisecond intervals – that replaces conventional mechanical-valve shocks with electronically controlled shocks filled with a synthetic fluid containing minute iron particles. Under the presence of magnetic charge, the iron particles align to provide damping resistance almost instantly. Segment-first, innovative LED headlamps Escalade Platinum will be the first SUV – and one of the first vehicles of any kind – to offer Light Emitting Diode (LED) headlamps. Used previously only on concept vehicles or exotic sports cars, LED headlamps mark another step in Cadillac’s application of advanced lighting technology and design. LED headlamps emit a greatly more precise light pattern, while emulating the characteristics of natural daylight much more closely than traditional auto lighting. LEDs are environmentally friendly, using much less power and lasting more than 20 times longer than traditional halogen bulbs. LED headlamps will be an enhancement added to the Escalade Platinum in the summer of 2008, shortly after the start of production of the Platinum model itself in the spring of 2008. “Escalade is world renown for making a distinctive design statement,” Taylor said, “With the introduction of the world’s first large luxury SUV hybrid as well as the new Platinum edition, Cadillac Escalade is now bringing some of the world’s most sophisticated automotive technologies into the luxury SUV category.” Dramatic exterior, elegant interior Escalade Platinum also elevates the already-dramatic design of Escalade. The exterior features a unique front fascia and grille patterned after Cadillac’s acclaimed and hot-selling CTS sport sedan. The Platinum includes unique 22-inch wheels and wears exclusive Platinum exterior badges. The cabin is the latest example of Cadillac’s 21 st-century return to handcrafted luxury details. The instrument panel, center storage console and door trim are wrapped and stitched by hand. They feature decorative French seams that convey an elegantly tailored look and feel. Materials include rich leather on the instrument panel, with unique wood inlays and aluminum trim. Aniline leather is unique to the Escalade Platinum and is used to trim the first- and second-row seats. Contrasting-color stitching is used on the French seams for a distinctive, luxurious appearance and the seatbacks feature embroidered Cadillac wreath and crest insignias. The leather-covered seats are comfortable and convenient, with the industry-exclusive power fold-and-tumble second-row seat feature that eases access to the third-row seat. Additional standard interior features include Platinum-specific door sills and floor mats, a heated steering wheel and heated and cooled cup holders and a power liftgate that opens and closes with the touch of a button. Also, the DVD entertainment system adds screens integrated into each front seat headrest, in addition to the existing roof mounted screen. Each front-row headrest screen has its own driver and input controls. The headrest units can be operated independently or in tandem. This system enables passengers in different seats to watch or listen to different entertainment choices, while leaving ultimate control with the driver. Escalade Platinum models will include the acclaimed Bose 5.1 Digital Surround system, as well as the eight-inch touch screen for DVD-based navigation and control of the DVD, CD, MP3 and XM Satellite radio entertainment. Plentiful power Platinum models are powered by the Escalade’s exclusive 6.2L V-8 rated at 403 horsepower (301 kW)* and 417 lb.-ft. of torque (565 Nm).* It is an all-aluminum engine that 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. A Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission is matched with the 6.2L engine. One of the industry’s most advanced automatics, the 6L80 features clutch-to-clutch shifting and has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio – including two overdrive gears – that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted November 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Aniline leather apparently is a process by which the leather is dyed, but is not pigmented (colored). This yields a more natural looking leather, and can only be done with better quality cuts of leather. Produces a very soft, supple leather. This site seems to have good information on the process: leather types - Aniline FULL ANILINE/SAUVAGE (A) The most attractive and natural of the leather types which are prized for their soft natural feel. These are leathers which have been aniline dyed in a vat process with no colour coating added to the surface. They are the most expensive leathers to produce because only the very best selection of hides can be used to produce full aniline leathers. Full aniline dyed leathers are more susceptible to absorbing liquids because of the natural porosity of the hide. Because they don't have a top coating the leather breathes more easily and is cooler to sit on. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted tcb Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 My understanding of the aniline process is that the leather is still colored, but its soaked in a vat whereby the leather soaks up the dye right through the hyde or skin. The benefit is that any nicks or fine lines don't readily show up, as the color is consistant from the top coat right through to the bottom of the skin. This process has been used for centuries in fine home furnishings. The cheaper way to do it is a color coating on the top surface ... problem is, in high stress areas, the cracks and creases show up quickly. 1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver 1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather 1997 STS Diamond White 1999 STS Crimson Pearl 2001 STS Silver 2003 STS, Crimson Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 LED headlamps . . . I'm very anxious to see that in person! Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimD Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Likewise. Jim Drive your car. Use your cell phone. CHOOSE ONE ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 LED technology is advancing rapidly, but as folk like JimD are aware, even the brightest LEDs tend to look a little "blue." That blue light is what happens when you take white light and remove a little yellow from it. It's an LED problem/thing. The LEDs are a little short on the yellow end of the spectrum. If you look closely at LEDs that purport to be "almost" white you'll see yellow reflectors behind the "bulb" designed to increase the yellow output of the bulb so as to more accurately produce white light. Sadly, it just doesn't cut it. These days "blue" headlights are not only acceptable, but are the rage. I'd be interested in seeing how close to "white" the Cadillac LED headlamps come. Or, does Cadillac simply think blue is acceptable? Not fer me! Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted November 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 larger original here Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 I like the way it LOOKS. Wonder how the light output is. I like lots of light at night. My headlights are HID and I am thinking of putting HID in my fog lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted tcb Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 Love that two tone interior treatment, and leather dash pad. 1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver 1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather 1997 STS Diamond White 1999 STS Crimson Pearl 2001 STS Silver 2003 STS, Crimson Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiz6728 Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 I LIKE THE INTERIOR AND THE LIGHTS BET YOU IT LOOKS REAL COOL AT NIGHT Wiz DRIVE IT LIKE YOU own it!!!!!! 1967 chevy II ( FOR SALE!!!!) 1995 Lexus Es 300 1998 SLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted November 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 Here is an interesting article with a complete description of each element of the Escalade Platinum LED headlight: http://www.ledsmagazine.com/news/4/11/26 Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthstarAJ Posted November 27, 2007 Report Share Posted November 27, 2007 The 09 12.58 second Northstar with a GM/Cadillac PCM Cadillac Technician @ Crest Cadillac Brookfield WI Hometown Washougal WA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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