The Cadillac Escalade is one of the brand's most
important models and a new report is indicating the next-generation SUV has
been delayed by approximately six months.
Automobile Magazine is reporting the new Escalade
was slated to debut in early to mid-2019 but the SUV has been pushed back due
to a decision to use an independent rear suspension like the 2018 Lincoln
Navigator. Executives reportedly signed off on the move late into the model's
development so that has reportedly pushed its introduction back by several
months.
The delay is unwelcome news but the independent rear
suspension certainly isn't. Besides giving the model a more car-like ride, the
switch will could enable the Escalade to have rear seats that fold flat into
the floor.
On the styling front, the Escalade is expected to
adopt a number of styling cues from the Escala concept. Specifics are lacking
at the moment but the report suggests Escalade will be further differentiated
from its Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon counterparts.
Power will reportedly be provided by a new 4.0-liter
V8 engine. There's no word on performance specifications but it will be paired
to a ten-speed automatic transmission which can be augmented with either rear-
or four-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid variant could join the lineup
approximately one year after standard model is launched in late 2019 or early
2020.
