HOLLYWOOD, CA: All those years pushing cars to GM dealers in Winnipeg and Brandon and Victoria and Vancouver and a lot of other garden spots are a long way (figuratively and literally) behind Susan Docherty now, but the urge to beat Ford still burns bright in the Windsor native's heart.
So after unveiling the Cadillac Escalade EXT at GM's advanced design studio here the day before the LA auto show, its brand manager said she's sorry she will not be able to take her vehicle up against Lincoln's sport-utility truck, the Blackwood.
Ford of Canada, in its wisdom, thinks that upscale 4-door, 2-wheel-drive SUT would not suit the Canadian market. As it happens, Docherty agrees with the Oakville braintrust, on this point at least, because in her view there are a lot of things wrong with the Blackwood, things that do not plague the Escalade EXT.
In Docherty's view, the EXT beats the Blackwood in several key areas: it's all-wheel-drive, it doesn't have a truck-like ride, its storage space is more flexible, and it's pulled around by the most powerful engine in this segment of many others. This is just a smattering of segment-leading points, Docherty suggested, but she figures it's pretty much academic for a Canadian audience.
EXT "builds on the design and technology foundation of the all-new 2002 Escalade," Docherty said, so "it offers the same distinct design and innovative technologies as its sibling and the reconfigurability capabilities of its cousin, the Chevy Avalanche."
The notion that luxury customers demand more and more ability to customize and personalize their driving experience was a guiding principal behind EXT's design, said Docherty, and "the EXT provides this in spades."
Like the rest of Cadillac's lineup, the Escalade EXT has that look of sheer, chiseled forms and no-mistaking-it-for-something-else styling that is supposed to convey the principles of "art and science."
In its standard configuration, Docherty said, EXT "offers a roomy, luxurious, comfortable 5-passenger cab and a 1.6-m long cargo box. But luxury customers requiring more cargo room can easily convert the reconfigurable Midgate (which is a trademarked term) in a few minutes without any tools, extending the bed to a full 2.5 m.
The Midgate folds into the interior of the cab to create a 1.2-m x 2.43-m cargo area to transport various large items, from artwork to a large screen TV to those famous 4x8 sheets of plywood that few people carry but are the standard measure of roominess.
Whatever you store back there, Docherty said, "Items are protected from the elements and theft by a standard three-piece cargo cover and lockable tailgate.
The cargo box is also environmentally smart, since its sides, Midgate and the tailgate are constructed of a new PRO-TEC(TM) composite material.
EXT's rear window also removes to allow for additional cargo space or for added air-circulation, and it stows on board easily and works in conjunction with the Midgate
Docherty said the EXT is a classic example of how the new "Sport Utility Truck" market is expanding, since it "meets the needs of customers who use their vehicle for more than just transportation or recreational use."
Cadillac research showed there was a real need for the EXT, she noted, "Because about 20 percent of luxury households own a full-size pickup and 23 percent of Cadillac households own a full-size pickup." And with most of those buyers going for the upscale, big-ticket package, Docherty reasoned, "there was a clear signal to us that Cadillac needed to tap into this market."
The 2002 Escalade EXT will share the same powertrain as the AWD Escalade, meaning a V8 that turns out 345 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 380 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm attached to a new Hydra-Matic 4L60-E HD (heavy-duty) electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
The 17-inch wheels and tires will offer a smooth ride and impressive handling, Docherty promised, and the StabiliTrak program will deliver even safer and more responsive handling. "With StabiliTrak comes the computer-controlled road sensing suspension package, improving stability, ride comfort and wheel control."
Docherty wrapped up by saying that "Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, combined with improved lighting and braking, front side-impact air bags and premium level OnStar, complete the Escalade EXT safety and security package."
That should play well in all those places Docherty used to work, and a few more into the bargain.
So after unveiling the Cadillac Escalade EXT at GM's advanced design studio here the day before the LA auto show, its brand manager said she's sorry she will not be able to take her vehicle up against Lincoln's sport-utility truck, the Blackwood.
Ford of Canada, in its wisdom, thinks that upscale 4-door, 2-wheel-drive SUT would not suit the Canadian market. As it happens, Docherty agrees with the Oakville braintrust, on this point at least, because in her view there are a lot of things wrong with the Blackwood, things that do not plague the Escalade EXT.
In Docherty's view, the EXT beats the Blackwood in several key areas: it's all-wheel-drive, it doesn't have a truck-like ride, its storage space is more flexible, and it's pulled around by the most powerful engine in this segment of many others. This is just a smattering of segment-leading points, Docherty suggested, but she figures it's pretty much academic for a Canadian audience.
EXT "builds on the design and technology foundation of the all-new 2002 Escalade," Docherty said, so "it offers the same distinct design and innovative technologies as its sibling and the reconfigurability capabilities of its cousin, the Chevy Avalanche."
The notion that luxury customers demand more and more ability to customize and personalize their driving experience was a guiding principal behind EXT's design, said Docherty, and "the EXT provides this in spades."
Like the rest of Cadillac's lineup, the Escalade EXT has that look of sheer, chiseled forms and no-mistaking-it-for-something-else styling that is supposed to convey the principles of "art and science."
In its standard configuration, Docherty said, EXT "offers a roomy, luxurious, comfortable 5-passenger cab and a 1.6-m long cargo box. But luxury customers requiring more cargo room can easily convert the reconfigurable Midgate (which is a trademarked term) in a few minutes without any tools, extending the bed to a full 2.5 m.
The Midgate folds into the interior of the cab to create a 1.2-m x 2.43-m cargo area to transport various large items, from artwork to a large screen TV to those famous 4x8 sheets of plywood that few people carry but are the standard measure of roominess.
Whatever you store back there, Docherty said, "Items are protected from the elements and theft by a standard three-piece cargo cover and lockable tailgate.
The cargo box is also environmentally smart, since its sides, Midgate and the tailgate are constructed of a new PRO-TEC(TM) composite material.
EXT's rear window also removes to allow for additional cargo space or for added air-circulation, and it stows on board easily and works in conjunction with the Midgate
Docherty said the EXT is a classic example of how the new "Sport Utility Truck" market is expanding, since it "meets the needs of customers who use their vehicle for more than just transportation or recreational use."
Cadillac research showed there was a real need for the EXT, she noted, "Because about 20 percent of luxury households own a full-size pickup and 23 percent of Cadillac households own a full-size pickup." And with most of those buyers going for the upscale, big-ticket package, Docherty reasoned, "there was a clear signal to us that Cadillac needed to tap into this market."
The 2002 Escalade EXT will share the same powertrain as the AWD Escalade, meaning a V8 that turns out 345 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 380 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm attached to a new Hydra-Matic 4L60-E HD (heavy-duty) electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
The 17-inch wheels and tires will offer a smooth ride and impressive handling, Docherty promised, and the StabiliTrak program will deliver even safer and more responsive handling. "With StabiliTrak comes the computer-controlled road sensing suspension package, improving stability, ride comfort and wheel control."
Docherty wrapped up by saying that "Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist, combined with improved lighting and braking, front side-impact air bags and premium level OnStar, complete the Escalade EXT safety and security package."
That should play well in all those places Docherty used to work, and a few more into the bargain.
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