The original Cadillac Escalade was based on GM’s GMT800 platform, sharing its underpinnings with vehicles such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. For the next-generation of the luxury SUV, GM could go with the smaller and more car-like Lambda platform in light of changing economic trends and consumer tastes.
The Lambda platform is currently used for a host of GM SUVs and crossovers including the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse among others. According to MotorTrend, GM was originally planning to launch a V8-powered Enclave Super and had designed the platform to accommodate such an engine. While those plans have been nixed due to impending CAFE regulations, a V8-powered Lambda could be developed for the next-generation Escalade. The EXT model is expected to remain as well, with styling loosely based on the recent GMC Denali XT concept.
The introduction of the new Escalade Hybrid last month shows that a heavy and feature-laden SUV can still return reasonable mileage, as evidenced by the vehicle’s 20mpg (11.8L/100km) in the city and 21mpg (11.2L/100km) on the highway EPA rated fuel economy. A smaller model, based on a more car-like platform like Lambda would only improve on these and thus secure the Escalade’s future.
Reader Comments
Mon Sep 8 2008 8:07 PM
NoNameDenton says
How about instead giving it V6 and V8 diesel engines, that would work as well.
Mon Sep 8 2008 8:28 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
Hmmmm a GM diesel. The last time they did that it was with a gas powered small block and retrofitted the cylinder heads. It failed in a spectacluar way and single handedly killed the diesel market in the U.S. that Mercedes had worked so hard to create.....
Mon Sep 8 2008 9:29 PM
NoNameDenton says
mywheelsonwalls or whatever, you ever try a GM Duramax? They are excellent and the upcoming 4.5 liter V8 diesel for the Silverado sounds excellent.
Mon Sep 8 2008 11:30 PM
Michael D. says
This Lambda-based Escalade could have possibilities, and the Lambda's, though uni-body/carlike-based, are large to begin with; the new Traverse is even 205" in length, they're practically, or just as wide as the , but their not as tall or heavy being that the Lambda's are not body-on-frame. The Lambda length is on par with the regular Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade, not the Suburban/Yukon XL/Esclade ESV. The Lambdas, though uni-body with transverse-engine FWD-bias layout, can accommodate a V8 powerplant, I understand, and a couple of recent articles indicated that the GMC Acadia will get a V8 addition with it's 2010 update/facelift, and an Esclade, being the top of the food-chain, would sport a V8, but with greater power-to-weight compared to the GMT900, if this all goes through.
Only thing I question, being the Lambda is uni-body/car-based, towing prowess would be sacrificed as compared to the GMT900. Those who two boats to large campers to horse-trailers would greatly want that benefit, which is a desirability of a full-sized, full-framed SUV. This could be a theory (very credible but don't quote me): Maybe the Lambda-base would take over the next, regular-length Esclalade while the ESV remains on a body-on-frame, truck-type GTM900 or whatever follows it, and that would be marketed for those who require the room and towing capacity, and perhaps the same could be done for the next Tahoe/Suburban and Yukon/Yukon XL. It could be possible that the Avalanche/Esclade EXT could be replaced, or given an additional model in the form of a Zeta like the GMC Denali XT concept, and maybe a GMC variant could be added. Of course, in full-sized SUVs, the hybrid edition will be apparent as well as the upcoming 4.5L Diesel V8.
Tue Sep 9 2008 8:43 AM
Laz says
This would be a smart move on with using this platform on GM's current full size SUV line-up. Doing this will allow for them to push the Hummer brand as their full size SUV if they still have it...
Tue Sep 9 2008 1:50 PM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says
NoName- Yes I have and its a truck engine not a car engine which if you read the article the new Escalade is going to be based on a car/cross over platform.
For a start the Duramax would be to heavey, engine vibration that a Cadillac owner is willing to except would be to great, and also engine noise would be an issue.
Tue Sep 9 2008 3:32 PM
Edward says
How about a Diesel V12? If Audi can do it, why not GM?
Tue Sep 9 2008 5:55 PM
SteveSteve says
because Audi are owned by VW and so have lots of money to play with and make new engines...GM on the other hand is 13 trillion dollars in debt...they pay their staff and suppliers with cars since they haven't the cash to use
Tue Sep 9 2008 9:44 PM
Don says
How about dropping these behemoths altogether?
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