Buyers of the 2023 Cadillac Escalade can once again choose the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package option when ordering most trims of the luxury SUV. The microchip shortage forced Cadillac to stop offering this package in August 2022. However, General Motors has made the option available again starting in late December 2022, with microchip supply improving as chip manufacturers boosted production and consumers bought less smartphones and computers.
The Heavy-Duty Trailering Package is unavailable on the Escalade’s Luxury (base) trim but optional on all others, including Premium Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum and Escalade-V. Those who desire the package on the Premium Luxury trim will also need to add the $2,700 Performance Package to their build.
Identified by RPO code ZM1 and priced at $600, the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package is comprised of these features (RPO codes in parentheses):
- Auxiliary trailer camera, LPO (TRO)
- 2-speed electronic transfer case (NQH)
- Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System (PTT)
- Trailering Assist Guidelines (THS)
- Extra capacity cooling system (V03)
The Escalade-V’s version of the package does not include the two-speed electronic transfer case (NQH), which is otherwise fitted only to models with four-wheel drive. Instead, all Escalade-V units get the single-speed transfer case. Additionally, the extra capacity cooling system (V03) is only present on vehicles equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 gasoline engine and is omitted from Escalades powered by the 3.0L LM2 I6 turbodiesel Duramax engine.
Renewed availability of the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package isn’t the only way increased semiconductor chip supply is benefiting the 2023 Cadillac Escalade. Another feature that recently became available after several months’ absence is four-way power lumbar seat adjustment for the driver (AVK) and front passenger (AVU) seats. This power adjustment is optional on Escalades configured in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trims, and standard on the remaining trims – Premium Luxury Platinum, Sport Platinum, and Escalade-V.
Beyond these returning options, Cadillac recently added several minor updates to the 2023 Escalade. Super Cruise (RPO code UKL) semi-autonomous driving assistant now includes 400,000 miles of North American roads, twice its previous coverage. Also new for the 2023 model year is a Surround Vision Recorder that sends captured video to an SD card.
The $150,000 Cadillac Escalade-VÂ itself is a fresh addition for 2023, boasting a 4.4-second 0-60 mph time thanks to its 682-horsepower supercharged 6.2L Small Block V8 LT4 gasoline engine.
The General builds the 2023 Escalade on the GM T1 platform, with production taking place at the GM Arlington complex outside Fort Worth, Texas.
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Comments
Chip shortages again are the scapegoat ! Here’s how lame these companies have gotten with their “supply chain” excuses that are never ending. Some fraudster at the WYZE Security camera Company decided to try and get away with fraudulently charging $14.99 to my Credit Card even though they didn’t have my Credit Card number. I caught it and “Card Services” could not explain how, despite not having my current card #, the fraudulent charge was “pending” on my statement. They recommended cancelling the old and re-issuing a new card. 10 days later….still no new card in the U.S. Mail. Called “Card Services” to see if they had overlooked mailing the new card. The usual Hadji you wind up having to try understanding their thick accent told me that “due to supply chain problems, it is taking over 2 & 1/2 weeks to get a new card out to customers”…..Really ? Even our simple pre-printed Church collection/donation weekly envelopes are delayed according to the printer due to supply chain problems and delays.
It does seem like “supply chain problems” is being used an awful lot in places where that doesn’t really make a lot of sense. Probably just being thrown around by management to explain why they screwed up ordering enough of something, in situations like you’re describing.