ESCALADE MAKERS SERIES

Meet the Escalade Makers. A group of forward-thinkers who helped bring the 2021 Cadillac Escalade to life in a deeply human way—through distinctly curated personas, astounding detail and technology that makes you the star.

RECEIVE UPDATES

EXTERIOR

FORMIDABLE FROM FIRST GLANCE

Escalade requires no introduction. That’s why Exterior Design Manager Therese Pinazzo encouraged her team to stay true to its unmistakable styling—and execute every detail in its most sophisticated fashion.

Therese believes lighting builds the icon, a testament from someone who dabbles in LED performance art.

She’s inspired by architecture, like “what you see looking up at a building in New York City.” It’s why the tail lamps on Escalade stretch a staggering three feet tall and have been coined “skyscraper” lights. Though their size was initially controversial, designers agreed the lamps define Escalade—and delivered them in a stunning, tapered form.

She finds working on Escalade both a challenge and an honour—particularly the opportunity to design its first-ever Sport trim, giving an already powerful character a more sinister mood. It’s athletic, aggressive and bound to turn heads. And it’s what she sees herself in.

Therese Pinazzo quote: When you see it, there's no doubt in your mind that’s Escalade. We wanted that to stay true.

VISUALIZE YOUR ESCALADE

Escalade swatches: Zebra Wood, Precision Perforated Seating, Whisper Beige Leather Seating.

ZEBRA WOOD

An interior design element that pushes the boundaries of typical luxury. The proportion of light to dark striping in this wood was purposefully chosen to offer high contrast, statement-making design to anyone willing to take risks and embrace their personal taste.

ZEBRA WOOD

PRECISION PERFORATED SEATING

This perforation uses pinholes in a variety of sizes to create sets of squares, or boxes, that mirror the pattern of the Cadillac Mondrian within the crest—a subtle honouring of automotive heritage.

PRECISION PERFORATED SEATING

WHISPER BEIGE LEATHER SEATING

Until now, a sport trim for Escalade was uncharted territory, but customers had an appetite for a high contrast interior. This trim merges sport and luxury by complementing jet black with a light beige on a grand scale.

WHISPER BEIGE LEATHER SEATING

FOR THOSE BIG ON FIRST IMPRESSIONS

SPORT JET BLACK / WHISPER BEIGE TRIM

Features a dramatically dark grille, high-contrast Zebra wood and Precision perforated seats destined to make people stop, stare and remember.

INFOTAINMENT

THE INDUSTRY’S GIANT, GORGEOUS GAME CHANGER

Escalade debuts the industry’s first-ever curved OLED display. That means Infotainment Program Manager Joanne Leddy had her work cut out for her during reveal—fielding hours of questions and demos. She laughs, recalling how many reporters “didn’t want to get out” of the vehicle and the joy in watching eyes widen the moment the OLED lights came on.

Joanne says Cadillac leadership wanted to offer Escalade customers this groundbreaking technology from the start. Everything else had to work around it. It was a bold, purposeful decision to revolutionize the driver’s experience. The world is heading toward technology at every touch. The way you interact with your vehicle should be no different.

But OLED was not achieved without challenges. For example, the team engineered a special light control film so the display could stand proudly without reflecting light onto the windshield. It had to be executed perfectly. From full-cluster AR Navigation^† to crisp and colourful album art, what Escalade places at your fingertips, you won’t find anywhere else.

Joanne Leddy quote: It's an emotional experience. It blows you away.

DISCOVER THE OLED

Escalade swatches: Natural Figured Ash Wood, Mondrian Quilted Seating, Opus Leather Seating.

NATURAL FIGURED ASH WOOD

For fans of the traditional Escalade interior, this wood’s natural swirling grain and earthy brown tone pop off a jet-black atmosphere the perfect amount.

NATURAL FIGURED ASH WOOD

For fans of the traditional Escalade interior, this wood’s natural swirling grain and earthy brown tone pop off a jet-black atmosphere the perfect amount.

MONDRIAN QUILTED SEATING

A new quilt pattern developed specifically for Escalade, in sleek black leather. Look closely and you’ll see stitches sewn over multiple times to set apart the different size squares that comprise the Cadillac Mondrian pattern.

MONDRIAN QUILTED SEATING

OPUS LEATHER SEATING

Those in the third row still receive first class treatment. Opus leather seating in all three rows guarantees luxury sits at every touch.

OPUS LEATHER SEATING

Those in the third row still receive first class treatment. Opus leather seating in all three rows guarantees luxury sits at every touch.

FOR EARLY ADOPTERS OF GROUNDBREAKING TECH

SPORT PLATINUM JET BLACK TRIM

Features Ash wood, sleek black Mondrian quilted seats and distinct Sport wheels and grille. A tech-forward feel to match the OLED’s perfect blacks.

INTERIOR

AN ARTFUL INTERIOR TO ELEVATE EVERY DAY

Interior Design Manager Phil Kucera compares his job to running your own business. He fills the hybrid role of artist and engineer, collaborating with multiple departments to create this interior oasis. It makes him the perfect hype man. Phil’s famous for his internal rallying cry—a sarcastic “It’s only the Escalade” (with the occasional expletive for emphasis).

Of all the hats Phil wears, Creative is his favourite. “I keep art at the core. It’s my personal philosophy.” He draws every single day, and he studies modern sculpture and the shapes and forms of paintings for inspiration. It helps him think in 3D and solve for the tricky areas of an interface.

A degree in industrial design also helps Phil make “beautiful things in an industrial way.” Cut and sewn materials fit Escalade like well-tailored clothing, millimeters-thin blade lighting elevates the ambiance, and laser-etched patterns are small surprises you’ll discover down the road. Phil and his team made sure to fret the details, because…

Phil Kucera quote: It had to be a showstopper. It's the Escalade.

EXPLORE THE GALLERY

Escalade swatches: Bitterlace Wood, Mondrian Quilted Seating, Opus Leather Seating.

BITTERLACE WOOD

This natural wood grain resembles the delicate, detailed patterns of lace on a large scale—perfect for the surface area Escalade offers. The wood is hand-dyed to create a dark auburn interior, a colour that repeatedly appeared in customer research.

BITTERLACE WOOD

MONDRIAN QUILTED SEATING

A new quilt pattern developed specifically for Escalade, in a deep auburn shade of leather. Look closely and you’ll see stitches sewn over multiple times to set apart the different size squares that comprise the Cadillac Mondrian pattern.

MONDRIAN QUILTED SEATING

A new quilt pattern developed specifically for Escalade, in a deep auburn colored leather. Look closely and you’ll see stitches sewn over multiple times to set apart the different size squares that comprise the Cadillac Mondrian pattern.

OPUS LEATHER SEATING

Those in the third row still receive first class treatment. Opus leather seating in all three rows guarantees luxury sits at every touch.

OPUS LEATHER SEATING

Those in the third row still receive first class treatment. Opus leather seating in all three rows guarantees luxury sits at every touch.

FOR A HIGH-END RETREAT EVERY DAY

PREMIUM LUXURY PLATINUM JET BLACK / DARK AUBURN TRIM

Features Bitterlace wood hand-dyed to match a rich, dark cherry interior and Opus leather seating in all three rows.

Platinum Jet Black / Dark Auburn Trim Cadillac Escalade.

SOUND

Manager of Customer Programs at AKG Marty Shade featuring AKG.

ENGINEERED TO SONIC PERFECTION

Escalade debuts exclusive AKG^®† audio systems, a collection of obsessively tuned speakers and amplifiers that boast studio quality, 3D Surround Sound—plus human-focused features like Conversation Enhancement, Front Passenger Volume Control and Navigational Rendering. Marty Shade, Manager of Customer Programs at AKG, is responsible for the acoustics.

Marty has worked with car audio since the age of 15, when his older brother spent a frustrating afternoon attempting to install new equipment. Marty had it done in 30 minutes. “After that, I was hooked,” he remembers. That’s good news, considering Marty and his team conducted 42 separate vehicle tunings to perfect the sound.

AKG has been the music industry’s favourite microphone since 1947. As experts in high fidelity and industry-leading technology, it’s only fitting their first automotive venture is with Escalade. “There’s synergy between the Cadillac brand and AKG as far as the level of detail and attention that’s paid to every aspect of the user experience,” Marty emphasizes. Sounds like the perfect partnership.

Marty Shade quote: I want the driver to feel like they’re actually at an event. Whether an orchestral concert or rock band, we want to transport them there.

LEARN ABOUT AKG

Escalade swatches: Parchment Tamo Ash Wood, Mini Chevron Perforation, AKG Speaker Grills.

PARCHMENT TAMO ASH WOOD

The movement within this wood grain creates an almost three-dimensional appearance, while the black and parchment colours within its natural stain tie the trim together.

PARCHMENT TAMO ASH WOOD

The movement within this wood grain creates an almost three-dimensional appearance, while the black and parchment colours within its natural stain tie the trim together.

MINI CHEVRON PERFORATION

A custom triangular pin, inspired by the Cadillac chevron, was engineered specifically for this perforation. Unique pin patterns were created for each separate seat panel—an estimated six to eight per seat—which are stitched together to form a cohesive, purposeful design.

MINI CHEVRON PERFORATION

AKG SPEAKER GRILLES

Stainless steel, chemically etched and artfully positioned around the interior. When you have up to 36 speakers within a vehicle, it’s only fitting that they elevate the environment.

AKG SPEAKER GRILLES

Stainless steel, chemically etched and artfully positioned around the interior. When you have up to 36 speakers within a vehicle, it’s only fitting that they elevate the environment.

FOR LUXURY THAT’S BOTH SEEN AND HEARD

PREMIUM LUXURY JET BLACK / PARCHMENT TRIM

Features AKG Studio sound system, three-dimensional Tamo Ash wood and Mini-Chevron Perforated seats in a Parchment colour.

Jet Black / Parchment Trim Cadillac Escalade.

COLOUR & TRIM

DESIGN INGENUITY THAT’S JUST YOUR STYLE

Escalade takes form in detailed personas featuring six woods, two quilting patterns, four perforation patterns and a variety of colours, threads and stitch patterns. Colour and Trim Manager Michelle Killen compares her approach to interior design: a well-curated room requires a sofa from here, a table from there and a rug from somewhere else. It tells a personal story.

That’s why Michelle studied social media for inspiration, finding self-made people with a taste for earned luxury. What do their homes and handbags look like? How does that premium experience translate to a vehicle? Each trim persona is vastly different, yet distinctly Cadillac. She wants you to pick a favourite.

What Michelle finds remarkable is the victory in variety. Every single interior persona she presented to leadership on day one was achieved. She recalls admiring the imagery, woods and colours on the design wall and knowing Escalade could be executed no other way. Because “Escalade is the benchmark. This sets the standard for how we see Cadillac.”

Michelle Killen quote: We wanted to create something so beautiful, they could walk up to it and say, ‘that’s it’ and drive it home.

COMPARE TRIMS

Escalade swatches: Fine Line Brandy Wood, Faceted Quilted Seating, Start/Stop Stitching.

FINE LINE BRANDY WOOD

A deep, rich brown veneer with light striping tinted to match the brandy colour of the seats perfectly. This trim offers fashion-forward drivers a combination of sport and luxury design cues, complementing the traditional jet-black look of luxury with the browns popular in sports cars.

FINE LINE BRANDY WOOD

FACETED QUILTED SEATING

Craftsmanship reigns supreme in this highly complex, tactile quilting pattern. This pattern stacks two angular start/stop stitches on top of one another to create Cadillac chevrons—a level of depth and detail only available in this colour on this trim level.

FACETED QUILTED SEATING

START/STOP STITCHING

This is a new luxury automotive process for GM and the first-ever start/stop stitch pattern in a seat, which required an entirely new manufacturing process within GM. The ability to tie off individual stitches underneath the leather allows you to create unique patterns.

START/STOP STITCHING

FOR THOSE WHO RESPECT DETAILED CRAFTSMANSHIP

PREMIUM LUXURY DARK ATMOSPHERE / BRANDY TRIM

Features available hand-dyed Brandy wood and faceted seats with intricate start/stop stitching, the result of a new manufacturing process for GM.

INNOVATION

Global Product Manage David Schiavone featuring the Escalade.

PRESERVING A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

Global Product Manager David Schiavone has been working on Escalade since the first generation. He describes the vehicle’s meteoric rise as grassroots—a story of luxury unfolding via the pop culture masses. Professional athletes could fit comfortably inside; musicians and celebrities wanted to make a statement.

A father of three, David says the evolution of Escalade feels “like watching a fourth child grow up.” Under his watch, Escalade has been number one in the segment for 15 of its 21 years of life in the US market. But you don’t stay at the top by resting on laurels, and he can confidently say this next generation of Escalade competes head-on with anything in the market.

He lists a few crowning achievements: the record level of design execution, industry-defining technology like available Super Cruise^™ driver assistance feature^† and curved OLED display, exclusive AKG^®† sound systems and improved third-row leg room. That’s the beauty of what David describes as the “catch all” role of product manager. He gets to be excited about everything.

David Schiavone quote: There is no weakness in this vehicle. No weakness.

DISCOVER INNOVATION

Escalade swatches: Linear Marquetry Wood, Mini Chevron Perforation, Fabric Interior Details.

LINEAR MARQUETRY WOOD

Slats of several natural woods, from Ash to Elm, are laid side by side and left unstained so their natural colour and detail are on full display—offering beautiful contrast to the Whisper Beige leather. Wood on the doors runs at a 45-degree angle, similar to the Escala concept vehicle.

LINEAR MARQUETRY WOOD

MINI CHEVRON PERFORATION

FABRIC INTERIOR DETAILS

This trim level is the first time that interior design elements of the Escala concept vehicle have entered production. A massive design victory for Escalade, the fabric details of this interior are simple, elegant and woven like a well-tailored suit.

FABRIC INTERIOR DETAILS

FOR THE LEGENDARY

PREMIUM LUXURY PLATINUM GIDEON / WHISPER BEIGE TRIM

A showcase of pure innovation—from rear seat entertainment to fabric interior trim details inspired by the Escala concept vehicle.

Platinum Gideon / Whisper Beige Trim Cadillac Escalade

2021 ESCALADE

Unlike anything else on the road. Make your way.

GET ESCALADE UPDATES

SEE IT AT CADILLAC LIVE