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GM Authority

Check Out This Cadillac Escalade VIP Emergency Response Vehicle: Video

A New York-based aftermarket customizations shop called AI Design has shared photos of a unique Cadillac Escalade based emergency response vehicle it recently completed for a  secretive VIP client.

This specially prepared Cadillac Escalade has been kitted out in a similar fashion to a traditional unmarked police vehicle, featuring various integrated and auxiliary strobe lights. These include strobed OEM marker lights and brake lamps, strobed tailgate visor lights, a strobed license plate frame light and a bright VisionX forward-facing auxiliary lamp in the grille. Other lighting-specific modifications include a stalked reading lamp with a dimmer switch in the center console and specialized task lighting and strobes for when the client opens the tailgate. Completing the list of modifications is a full Stinger radar detector with a 3D-printed binnacle.

It’s not immediately clear what a vehicle like this could be used for. While we understand why some VIP clients would want a bulletproof/armored vehicle, it’s hard to see what use a civilian would have for an emergency response vehicle such as this – no matter how rich or important they may be. New York state law also indicates flashing white, red and/or blue lights may only be used on public roads by emergency vehicles or volunteer members of a fire department, so unless this person is high-up in government, it’s hard to see how this vehicle could be legally operated. Then again, it’s possible this vehicle is not for a New York client and will be shipped elsewhere in the U.S. or to another country entirely. 

No matter what the client intends to use this vehicle for, they will probably be very happy to have the Escalade’s reliable 6.2L L87 V8 engine under the hood, which produces a healthy 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels as standard or all four wheels through an available 4WD system. A GM 10-speed automatic is the only available transmission option.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. I like it

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  2. Probably state senator or NY mayor.

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    1. Maybe just have a perfectly plain old ambulance “available”.

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  3. Love it!

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  4. It’s for a civilian who’s full of themselves. The screen above the rear view mirror is a Stinger radar detector system. An actual police/law enforcement/VIP vehicle wouldn’t have this.

    Probably going to one of those states where doctors, nurses, EMTs, etc. can run lights on their personal vehicles.

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  5. It’s likely just going to a typical celebrity who thinks laws and rules should only apply to the unwashed masses. The types who say we should all share electric cars to save the environment but enjoy their private jets and yachts.

    They’d probably say they need to appear like law enforcement for their personal safety.

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  6. The owner is a volunteer as a paramedic in my neighborhood we have all kinds of high-end cars with decked out lights

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    1. Not guessing where you live, but also in the neighborhood that I grew up in, same deal. As far as Mf and Sam are concerned .. return to your anti-cop rally in NYC. with AOC & Chuck-it-all Schmucker _ get a life.

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      1. Not too many volunteer first responders are buying 100k plus Escalades… And not too many places with that kind of money have volunteer first responders.

        Not sure why you’d think there was anything remotely anti cop in what I said. It was pure anti-celebrity, and anti-impersonating a LEO.

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        1. For what it’s worth, I’m a volunteer paramedic with a 2021 Escalade Platinum Sport. Our jurisdiction stopped allowing lights and sirens in personal vehicles. I wish it were allowed. What a hoot! I used to have lights and sirens in my personal vehicle. Those were the days!

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          1. 1963-1977, my Dad was Volunteer asst chief and then chief (’68-’77) then on board of commissioners until “they retired him” at 85. 3 cars in that period Light on roof and a Federal siren under the hood, by ’68 also red lights in front grill … 1 Olds wagon, 2 Cadillac Savilles (a Sch’dy County township)

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        2. sorry, just sounded like sour grapes and that tends to lean LEFT

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        3. FWIW, I’d actually knew a cop that came from a rich family that bought an base Maybach Benz but he always wanted to be a cop, another cop I knew owned a security business. Never underestimate a first responder’s pocketbook..

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          1. Wow, I thought you guys were pro-police!?.

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      2. Yeah so you “support” law enforcement by saying the owner should use a radar detector to speed without getting caught. Great support for police, EMTs, fire, tow truck drivers, roadworkers, utility workers, and everybody else who works in the road.

        It’s also great for police that people are running around in unmarked vehicles with police lights. That’s totally going to help the public’s trust in police cars, and will stop police impersonators.

        Easy to say you “support” first responders while you do absolutely zero to actually prevent them from getting killed.

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        1. He took the bait .. FAR left .. responded to 3 different things when NONE were mentioned #FJB

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  7. Harkins to the day of the magnificent long wheel base commercial chassis that left us in 1976. These ambulances were of the “Load and go” philosophy. Not the rolling emergency room of today. But they were not trucks but Cadillacs in the true sense of the word. To quote Packard in 1956 “Let the ride decide”.

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    1. My call is that it will be a trailing unit in the presidential motorcade. I bet it was hardened from impact and attack. Black vehicles indicate seriousness and badass versus white or pastels. Robbins egg blue is too feh. Red is for the fire service. Expect to see this ride in DC. Very cool.

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  8. AI *****

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  9. When I see an announcement like this, I wonder if the President of GM or the Board of Directors actually have any idea what is going on within their company. Chip shortages across GM facilities which are disrupting manufacturing, disrupting dealerships, and most important disrupting the loyal customers that buy GM.. Vehicle orders are delayed, or being built with $50 discounts because they don’t have enough chips, or other options not available.
    NOW an employee comes up with the brain wave of building a Cadillac Emergency Response Vehicle. The President of GM surely can’t know about this. Customers waiting for NEW GM produced vehicles to be built and delivered in the way they are advertised, with all the CHIPS required. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLOWN who has the Cady ERV idea. Redirect the needed chips to a vehicle that makes no sense, Watch TV – VIP protection is 95% Chev Suburban’s. NEWS FLASH FOR THE CLOWN – incase you forgot or didn’t know, The CHEV Suburban is built by GM. ” I AM SO HAPPY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEVER BECAME AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS “

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    1. Did you miss the part that this was done by a third party upfitter?

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  10. I didn’t see where this thing is destined for a client in this country. Probably going to Saudi Arabia or the U.A.E.

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    1. I don’t think so, because that’s not a GCC-spec vehicle. There’s one thing that gives it away as a US-spec vehicle (and not even Canadian/Metric): the passenger air bag light is labeled in English. Everywhere but the US deletes the Pass Air Bag ON/OFF words.

      Second, as in most countries, radar detectors are illegal in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Again, if the owner really had authority, they wouldn’t need one.

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  11. Who cares you guys get so bent about someone building a car. Get a life losers

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  12. If the ignitions turn off in GM police patrol cars, and Kill Cops too like they Kill other Americans, I wonder if they will continue to buy GM…

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  13. There is probably no telling what this vehicle is being used for. Far as we know, it could be use for display by the client primarily. So, probably no need to speculate any further based on the information in this story.

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  14. Cadullac has a long & proud tradition of there once offered commercial chassis being used for emergency vehicles – ambulances.
    This is great !

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  15. The guy probably has low self esteem and wanted to try and show up people. He has a NY plate which means that he has to be an EMT or one of those Hatzolah clowns.

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