Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is unique car gathering. When we come to the luxury part of automotive, it became the most prestigious event in the world, and every “special” car maker has to pay attention to it. Cadillac is in transition in recent times, but its luxury part of the equation never slowed down. So, it leaned heavily on the mentioned automotive show, stunning us with remarkable concepts such as Ciel in 2011 and Elmiraj from 2013.
If we still remember concept Sixteen from 2003 and if we add it to the gathering, we can pretty much characterize Cadillac’s concepts as quite remarkable in appearance, trend setting, uber luxury, but never actually reaching the buyers. They are just fashion statements and proof of Caddy’s capabilities, but it would be nice if at least some of them become a reality. GM luxury division hasn’t slipped the opportunity to surprise us at this year Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and voilà we have 2016 Cadillac Escala in front of us.
WHY
We still don’t know hidden intentions behind the revelation of Escala. If we look at the Elmiraj or Ciel, it could be just another fashion statement not destined for real life, but the restraint of its extravagance could point that there is maybe more in the game here. In that manner, Cadillac stated that front fascia is designated to find its way to the productions models very soon, but there is still that impression that it could be even more behind this.
2016 Cadillac Escala STYLING
Escala is not near as radical as previously mentioned concepts. It is impeccably clear in the design and adding the sheer size of the car to that, we end up with bespoke elegance as a result. It still has brand’s sharpness, but in less imposing manner, while front fascia is as minimalist as it can get. Headlights are incredibly small, and grille is perfectly merged with front, so there is nothing to disrupt fluidity of overall shape.
When we look the 2016 Cadillac Escala from the side, it is evident that Audi A7 was the inspiration for the coupe like body. Rear end continues elegance policy, and with brand’s usual rear lights it doesn’t deliver any excess line or angle.
CABIN
The simplicity of the design is continued in the cabin. There are no extra buttons, and massive surfaces overlay each other in the calm and elegant way. There is one peculiarity, and that is the cloth which is used to cover back seats, lower dash, an upper part of door panels, and back side of front seats. This material is an almost nonexisting choice in luxury segment, and if anything, the idea is original at least.
ENGINE
Under the hood lays 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-8, while no data is officially available, we predict that this powerplant can produce whooping 500 horses. It is possible that CT6 buyers will see this engine offered in that lineup, but they will still have to wait for the official debut in mentioned model.
BACK TO WHY
We mentioned that it could be something more in Escala. Beside current confusion in the full-size sedan segment, where XTS replaced both DTS and STS, and suddenly new CT6 came leaving untouched mentioned XTS, things makes sense if you had the nerve to study it more closely. XTS is classic old school luxury offer from Cadillac, while CT6 represents new, modern and enjoyable to drive direction, poised at younger than usual brand’s audience.
Beside two models in the same segment, there was a sense that more upscale, extremely luxury vehicle is possible and there we come to the Escala. It is bigger than CT6 as wheelbase has been prolonged by 4.7 inches and the total length is 6.5 inches more, and it is around 100 hp more powerful than the top version of it. So, could 2016 Cadillac Escala be future flagship model? Only time will tell.
