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Automotive Industry

Vette-Based Cadillac Moves From Concept To Reality - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, Sept, 2000 by John McCormick

The new design direction of Cadillac becomes doubly clear with the unveiling of the 2002 Escalade sport-utility and the 2003 luxury roadster.

Going on sale in January, the Escalade is the first production Cadillac to display the General Motors division's much ballyhooed "art and science" look with its sharp-edged lines, prominent grille and vertical headlights.

As for the roadster, its more subtle take on the "chiseled" design theme will be in showrooms in fall 2002. Intended to compete with the likes of the Mercedes SL 500, Jaguar XK8 and forthcoming Lexus SC 430, the Cadillac roadster is derived from the Evoq concept.

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"The Evoq's positive reception proved that there is an enormous reservoir of good will for Cadillac," says Mike O'Malley, division general manager.

However the new flagship will not use the Evoq name. Likely to carry an alphanumeric designator, the two-seat roadster will be built alongside the Chevrolet Corvette in Bowling Green, Ky. Like the Corvette, the roadster will have composite body panels and a combination of steel hydroformed frame rails and aluminum cockpit structure. The platform features the first use of Cadillac's 4.6L Northstar V-8 in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. The transmission, an electronic five-speed automatic with manual mode, is mounted at the rear.

To supply the roadster's automatic folding hard-top, Cadillac has selected Car Top Systems, a German company jointly owned by DaimlerChrysler and Porsche.

Mechanical systems on the roadster will include Delphi's MagneRide active suspension damping, StabiliTrak yaw control, PAX run-flat tires from Michelin and Cadillac's own Night Vision technology.

O'Malley says the roadster, expected to be priced in the $70,000 range, will play a key role in turning Cadillac into a global brand. "It will attract customers in all important luxury markets including North America, Europe, Japan and the Middle East." he says.

Automotive Industry

Vette-Based Cadillac Moves From Concept To Reality - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, Sept, 2000 by John McCormick

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