Ostentatious (adjective): characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others — as per Dictionary.com. According to GM North America President Mark Reuss in a report from Autoblog, the next-generation Cadillac Escalade will have less of that.
Considering that’s what the Escalade has been for over ten years, this will mean a significant change. Continuing, Reuss stated that the new Escalade reflects a “permanent mindset change about what luxury looks like”, meaning that instead of being all about showmanship, it has become a game of substance. There’s also more of an emphasis on the SUV’s efficiency than before, and while Reuss states that its looks will be “understated yet elegant”, he noted that the next-generation 2014/2015 Escalade “is not feminine”.
Anybody who has seen the spy photos of the next big Caddy could clearly point all of this out, but it is rather difficult to make a full-sized SUV look overly humble.
Finally, Reuss stated that he hopes the the audience of the new Escalade will “expand significantly.” To accomplish this, it “won’t be marketed the same as we did five years ago.” However we can expect a familiar trim for the marquee’s *traditional* customers.
Comments
I have some major concerns about this vehicle, but I don’t have time to elaborate…
Just loose 60% of the chrome trim, problem solved.
YES!!!!!
Hmmm interesting. Considering that it sells like hot cakes and nobody’s Complaining except for those who can’t afford them – I hope they don’t mess up a good formula.
Whenever Cadillac tried to move away from being brash flashy and confident; the sales moved away also. The other luxury marks never had that as a calling card. Cadillac when it was most successful has always been bold and in your face. They are sticking to their roots. It would be wise for Cadillac to do the same.
Manoli, I want to preface this by saying that I appreciate GMAuthority and visit several times a day. However the amount of simple misspellings and grammatical mistakes has been on the rise as of late. I’m no pro and definetely not a grammar nazi, but these things should be caught with a simple going over of the article and really irritate me when I can’t figure out what the sentence is supposed to say because of an error.
One of the things that caught my eye when I first started reading is the much better writing style, depth and accuracy of your stories. I hope I don’t have to find another (likely inferior) GM community because of the recent errors, but they are really getting to me and I couldn’t take it anymore after reading this article. I hope you see my comment as constructive.
-SE
I’ve seen some grammatical errors here too and pointed them out, too. I’m a stickler for grammatical accuracy and I make no apologies for it. And that extends to some of our very own readers/commentators. I am often sickened by what I see here being written by people who have driver’s licences…ie, people who should be able to read and write English. It is often times shocking. My pet peeves include (but are not limited to):
1. “I should OF known” – Correction: I should HAVE known”
2. “I bought it for 20,000$” – Correction: I bought it for $20,000
When I was growing up my diction and appreciation for the English language was fostered by my affinity for the British automotive magazine Autocar&Motor. That publication used the language like a paintbrush on canvas. It was beautiful. Those guys were journalists of the highest order. Not just a road tester. The guys here at GMAuthority are constantly improving and I join you in congratulating them on some well-put-together articles. Well done guys!
@Silent Electrician — we do appreciate your constructive, candid, and polite feedback. We’ve taken steps to prevent these kinds of things from happening in the future. Please feel free to email me directly with any suggestions, comments, or anything in between — alex [at] gmauthority [dot] com.
– Alex
We all make typos
“However we can expect a familiar trim for the marquee’s *traditional* customers.” Hahaha!
Since most of these and so many suburbans get used as Limos, thats probably not a bad thing.
This is exactly what Cadillac needs, it will no longer be called a bling machine, and be used by those in the mafia seeking huge chrome cars. Excellent job Cadillac
At first, the Escalade was purchased by NBA stars and athletes because it’s capacious dimensions accomodated their prodigious physiques. Then rap and hip-hop artists bought them to accomodate their prodigious egos – and, of course, their posses… This exposure had an effect on certain types out there looking for recognition or attention. Thus, the market for Caddy’s big ( literally ) cash cow was born.
Odd how unworthy vehicles can become iconically attached in people’s minds to some sort of status or luxury. Vehicles are kind of like politicians – with the right spin, even if
they aren’t really that good, they can get traction in the public’s mindset.
Take the Mercedes G-Class – G-Wagon ( or Galendewagen ). It’s a military Jeep suggested by the late Shah of Iran in the ’70s, then a big stockholder in Mercedes. 34 years later, Mercedes is still selling this largely unchanged Austrian-built Jeep to silly rich numbskulls at $90-149,000 a pop! The G-Wagon hasn’t changed much at all – it still has somewhat good offroad ability, while not even par on-road with such cheaper rivals as Land Rover or Jeep. One look at the vehicle makes one scratch their head how this thing has remained an uber-status symbol for rich Arabs, well-healed lawyers and doctors worldwide. Nobody spends $120,000 for a G-Wagen and runs the tar out of it offroad…And when we see folks in them, we wonder just what they were thinking… But they feel everyone is very impressed indeed!
Take Escalade. Even Mercedes introduced the unibody GL Series SUVs to compete in it’s category and folks who buy those AT LEAST get good driving dynamics and some practicality for their big bucks. No matter what spin GM gives Escalade, it really makes zero sense at all – to anybody, no matter how they spin it.
And – is 19mpg COMBINED really…”good”? A good question to ask as East Coasters line up for 4-5 hours for a few gallons of fuel… If the new Escalade gets 19mpg COMBINED, I’d be surprised.
As comedian Jon Stewart said on The Daily Show recently – “Wow – that thing can really tow the boat I don’t have up the mountain I don’t live near!”
SHAME to anyone who publishes an article or post with grammatical or spelling errors – SHAME ON YOU ALL! Me? Of course, I NEVER make any MISTEAKS! 😉
I guess, but you have two glaring assumptions in your argument.
1. You assume incorrectly that athletes and “hip hop” culture drove the success of the Escalade. ( just because a few are mentioned in music videos or driven by celebrities does not mean they were the driving force behind a particular vehicle)
2. You assume that a “European” driving experience is what is expected or should be the standard of measure for good driving dynamics. It is niether. Having ridden and driven in Escalades I assured you for what is expected of it; it’s pretty darn impressive. It’s above all else – smooth quite and very powerful. And last I remember that’s all the average Joe expects or wants from a big luxurious vehicle.
The same can be said for the styling. If understated, low key elegance was the name of the game in high end luxury; then Rolls Royces, Bentlys or any other high end luxury barge I see on the regular around Tampa, Atlanta, or Miami wouldn’t be so popular or heavily accessorized.
If you don’t want to attract attention, buy a Lexus, Audi, or even a Buick. The Escalade’s customer base is all about being ostentatious. Don’t let your bias cause you to misunderstand a market for such vehicles and the fact that GM is making money hand over fist buy satisfying it.