The backstory for the stunning Cadillac Escala Concept is a little different than either the Ciel Concept or Elmiraj Concept that came before it. Unlike the airy Ciel or the striking Elmiraj, which were designed by GM’s studios in North Hollywood, the elegant Escala was pieced together by a sharp team in Warren, Michigan.
“Sometimes we have internal competitions, and we won that car,” said Taki Karras, exterior design manager for the Cadillac Escala. Karras also holds the same position for the 2019 Cadillac CT6 exterior design.
“We try to take the best ideas from our studios around the world. Specifically for Cadillac, we try to keep everything in North America,” Karras continued.
The 2019 Cadillac CT6 exterior design refresh seems to deliberately blend the futuristically simple design language of the Escala concept with that of a production Cadillac.
“A lot of areas on the car are inspired by Escala,” said Karras, “and lighting (on the 2019 CT6) is one of those areas. We added a little horizontal on the daylight signature, which is taken from Escala.”
Karras, a Greek-American from Ohio, credits the balance of eye-catching presence and crisp minimalist themes on the Escala concept to the strong proportions one should expect on a Cadillac.
“If we go back to the Escala concept. Overall the theme of that car was very clean and tasteful, but the details on that car spoke to the modern quality and detail-oriented execution. That’s hard to do if you don’t have good proportions. We get unique architectures for Cadillac. We can afford to be simple. It’s when you compromise proportion that we as designers will play up design elements to overshadow proportions.”
The clean, detail-oriented design themes also can be found on the 2019 Cadillac CT6 and first-ever 2019 CT6 V-Sport, which comes with a potent 550 horsepower from a new 4.2L DOHC twin-turbo V8 engine, known as LTA. It joins the 2019 Cadillac XT4 small crossover as the latest entrants from the storied brand into a very competitive and stylish luxury vehicle market.
“I think one of the hardest things to do are to keep things simple but expressive. There are some brands that are doing a really good job of that… I was walking the show floor this morning and it just seems that everybody is really raising the bar. Doesn’t make our job easy, but it makes it exciting.”
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“If we go back to the Escala concept. Overall the theme of that car was very clean and tasteful, but the details on that car spoke to the modern quality and detail-oriented execution. That’s hard to do if you don’t have good proportions. We get unique architectures for Cadillac. We can afford to be simple. It’s when you compromise proportion that we as designers will play up design elements to overshadow proportions.”
Obviously. That comment is directed right at XTS which has shockingly bad proportions. It predecessor, the DTS had decent proportions for a FWD sedan with an actual hood but I would’ve hated to be the designer assigned the task of making Epsilon II into a Cadillac.
As far as the three concepts go, Ciel, Elmiraj, and Escala, it’s interesting that the first two came out of Hollywood. They seemingly have more Cadillac DNA and attitude while the Michigan model is more Audi-esque, particularly in profile.
The re-freshed XTS has a much better profile, its amazing what a little tweaking does to the cars looks. I never disliked the Mk1 XTS, but it did look stubby from some angles.
While I agree to a degree, the XTS before the refresh is still a very elegant looking car still. The profile is nicely done and I don’t have a problem with it in spite of it being on Epsilon.
Lets hope the refresh be around for 4 years.
A fellow Greek and from Ohio to boot. Great job on the revised CT6 Mr. Karras.
Cadillac’s future seems to be back on the right track. On a side note, I really do hope that the upcoming three row CUV is based on the Omega platform. Cadillac cannot afford for Lincoln to jump ahead of them in perceived Luxury and technology
I think it’s most likely going to be C1XX-based; essentially a Cadillac version of the FWD Chevy Traverse. It’s highly likely that Lincoln will have the better product.
That is my fear. Cadillac deserves better from parent GM but the bean-counters keep winning within GM. Sucks
XT6 – would be FWD C1XX based
XT7 and XT8 – RWD Omega based
So they will have two three row CUV’s?
Its seems that whatever they do, you’re prepared to not like it. so yeah, why not.
Before we even got into the questions I was already asking him where his Horio was.
Lincoln is moving quickly towards a unified design language, with their signature new front grill design being applied to their full line. This brings an end to the confusion of their past strange grill look, which should have never been. In addition, I did see the new Aviator at the NY Auto show. And it looks very impressive, like a range Rover.
Cadillac can still do well, but they need to apply the new Escala look to all Cadillac models, as quickly as possible.
I saw the new CT6 V Sport at the auto show, yesterday, and it looks great.
The Cadillac rwd chassis, along with their new v sport engine is still the big winner.
I am thinking the XT7 will be C1XX based then a significantly upgraded Escalade to compete with the Navigator.
The next group of SUV’s will be XT8 Omega based and the XT3 to sit below the XT4.
No proof or rumors just a WAG on my part.
Correction on the XT numbers. the XT 7 should have been XT6 and the XT 8 should have been XT7.
XT6- C1xx FWD/AWD, XT7nd XT8 RWD/AWD Omega chassis. New Escalade SUV RWD/AWD. CT5-RWD/AWD alpha chassis, CT4-RWD/AWD Alpha chassis.
Next-gen- XT5,XT6,XT4- RWD/AWD alpha chassis and omega chassis.
The future of Cadillac is very very bright! Just sit back and watch it happen!
Cadillac’s first BEV all electric Plug in will be in 2019.
Cadillac really needs a 3-row crossover on the C1XX platform . They can’t let Lincoln with their Aviator grab sales in that segment . I’d actually like to see that come out before the XT3 . Even Lexus now has a 3 row version of the RX350 to sell in the segment .
But they need to be careful that it isn’t looked at as a simple rebadge of Traverse or Envision . The new face of Cadillac is the Escala and it will be interesting to see that influence on the XT7 ( seven passenger ) and even a longer XT8 ( 8 -passenger ) to take Escalades place while the new one goes upmarket .
The XT6 will be available next and will debut in 6 months from now. There will be no rebadged Cadillacs in the future. Look at the Enclave and Traverse models.
XT6 Crossover is coming (C1xx platform), this year.
Why are they leaving out the thigh extensions on these cars? The are so beautiful but it doesn’t give tall drivers the option.