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Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen Talks Escala Concept And Future Design

Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen may be one of the most transparent automotive executives in a long time. He has countlessly turned to confront naysayers and clarify the position of the brand he’s in charge of returning to its former glory.

That attitude is no different in Motor Trend‘s latest interview. Specifically, much time was spent discussing the Cadillac Escala concept, which debuted at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

The big question: Is it capable of production? The answer? Yes.

de Nysschen explicitly stated the Escala rides on the Omega platform, like the 2017 Cadillac CT6, and it would be feasible to produce.

“From an architectural, practical, execution point of view, (the Cien and Elmiraj) couldn’t be done. And this one can be done. The CT6 is a competitive flagship car, but the aspiration the team and I have for Cadillac is that we have to reach higher,” he said.

Previously, de Nysschen stated a flagship model for Cadillac is still under development, but it would not be a traditional four-door sedan. This has led to much speculation regarding the Escala’s five-door liftback design.

de Nysschen kept things murky by adding, “Whether (a flagship) in the form of a large luxury four-door sedan or a stunningly executed crossover, we will let the market tell us.”

As for the Escala’s design, it wholeheartedly is a preview of Cadillac’s evolutionary design language. The Cadillac chief stated the design emphasizes low and wide stances, specifically in adding a horizontal headlamp element. In the rear, though, vertical lighting elements will still play a key part in future design.

“We don’t want to abandon the vertical light signature, but we introduced a horizontal component that enhances the visual mass and stretches the car optically to be low and wide. (This) sporty muscularity plays into how we want to position the brand. It really does announce what the future is for Cadillac design.”

Cadillac is currently amid a product hiatus as it quickly develops crossovers and vehicles to fill out niches imperative to sales numbers. Expect the product pause to lift sometime in 2018.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. I’m very curious about the part where he talked about the future of the infotainment systems, the next generation of CUE & how will they effect Cadillac’s future interior design language… Especially when you take into consideration what Andrew smith said about curved screens during the Escala’s event.

    On a somewhat related note, how come no one posted a photo of the Escala’s rotary controller with the Cadillac Goddess? They went out of their way to mention it, but not a single photo of it.

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    1. I have seen pics of it. Just Google it with Escala interior and you should find it. I am curious why JDN still mentions the word sedan in the same sentence as flagship. How awesome would it be if Cadillac still makes the ct8 a sedan. Bottom line is at this moment I am sure Cadillac knows what the flagship will be and hopefully its NOT a CUV. From his comments and mentioning a cUV will be out below the XT5 and one above it, I am thinking the flagship will still be a sedan type car.

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  2. He right in that they [Cadillac] does need to reach higher…in terms of quilts and prestige that is…not just price.

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  3. he said that Cadillacs future flagship won’t be a sedan…..makes no sense……if it’s a four door coupe that would be worse….a four door coupe isn’t a flagship.

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  4. The Escala is a beautiful design, but its too be for me. Translate that design to a CTS and I’ll buy it in a heart beat.

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  5. It’s going to have 5 doors like these escala .

    Reply

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