
The 2007 Cadillac Escalade SUV bowed Wednesday with a nod to the Hollywood crowd that helped make a name for the vehicle.
Landing in showrooms early next year, the new Escalade is by all measures a better vehicle than its predecessor. Its 6.2-liter V8 engine makes 403 horsepower and achieves 19 miles per gallon on the highway, up from 17 miles per gallon with the 6.0-liter V8 it replaces. Its luxurious ebony and cashmere interior is not shared with any other GM sport utility.
In addition, it has a new roof-mounted head curtain airbags that protect passengers in a rollover accident and a stiffer frame to mitigate the impact of crashes. "They've hit the bull's-eye from what I've seen," said Jim Sanfilippo, an industry analyst with AMCI Inc. in Detroit. "My honest assessment is the prospects are very bright for this vehicle."