Cadillac Escala

Cadillac Escala
Cadillac Escala at the 2016 LA Auto Show
Overview
ManufacturerCadillac (General Motors)
Production2016 (concept car)
DesignerFrank Wu, Aaron Riggs (exterior)[1]
Eric Um (interior)
Body and chassis
ClassConcept car
Body style4-door liftback/hardtop sedan
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
PlatformGM Omega platform
RelatedCadillac CT6
Powertrain
Engine4.2 L V8 (twin-turbo gasoline)
Transmission10-speed automatic[2]
Dimensions
Wheelbase127.1 in (3,228.3 mm)
Length210.5 in (5,346.7 mm)
Width76.7 in (1,948.2 mm)
Height57.3 in (1,455.4 mm)[3]
Chronology
PredecessorCadillac Elmiraj

The Cadillac Escala is a concept car built by Cadillac for the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The last of a trifecta of concept cars initially conceived in 2007, it is preceded by the Ciel and Elmiraj, which had debuted back in 2011 and 2013 respectively.[1] The Escala previews Cadillac's future design language, being an evolution of the Art and Science design philosophy that has been used on its cars for over a decade.[3]

The Escala was first announced via a trailer video on August 15, 2016.[4] Its name, revealed one day before its public debut, derives from the Spanish word for scale. This refers to the Escala using an elongated version of the Cadillac CT6's Omega underpinnings, being approximately six inches longer than the latter.[5] The car was unveiled at a cocktail party in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California[6] on August 18, 2016, which was attended by Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen, GM Vice President of Global Design Michael Simcoe and Cadillac's executive director of global design Andrew Smith, along with several other executives.[7]

Although yet to be officially confirmed for production, it was described by de Nysschen as "a potential addition to our existing product plan” in a press release, its ultimate fate determined by the fertility of the flagship luxury sedan market.[3] However, it previews the design, powertrain and other advanced technological features currently in development that is set to appear on other upcoming Cadillac production cars in the future.[2]

  1. ^ a b Orensten, Evan (August 19, 2016). "Cadillac's Escala Concept Car". Cool Hunting. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Evans, Scott (August 18, 2016). "Cadillac Escala Concept First Look: A Picture Window Into Cadillac's Future". Motor Trend. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Cadillac Unveils Escala Concept, Previewing Future Design Direction". GM Media. August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  4. ^ Szymkowski, Sean (August 15, 2016). "Cadillac Bringing Futuristic Design Concept To Pebble Beach: Video". GM Authority. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  5. ^ Estrada, Zac (August 19, 2016). "Cadillac Escala Concept Debuts At Pebble Beach With Company's Future Style". Carscoops. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  6. ^ Lorio, Joe (August 19, 2016). "Cadillac Escala Concept: It'll Play Beyond Pebble Beach". Car and Driver. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  7. ^ Truett, Richard (August 16, 2016). "Cadillac readies concept for Pebble Beach showing". Automotive News. Retrieved August 20, 2016.