The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
It seems like the big Cadillac Escalade has been around since forever as it’s become woven into society through rappers, presidential chaperones, luxury hotel transfers and as valet forecourt eye candy.
It’s also been a natural fit for the Middle East since the first model landed here in 1999, mixing ruggedness with large passenger capability and ostentatious luxury.
Rear suspension elevates drive experience
As we welcome the fifth generation to the region, Escalade has upped the game with a plethora of technical innovations interlaced with an all-new, high-quality interior and revised suspension to add even more value to the mix.
The Escalade finally drives better thanks to the adoption of independent rear suspension that also gives it a fully flat floor to increase the interior space. This hasn’t transformed it into a B-road, Euro-chaser – as it’s still got that American wallowy feel – but the new rear end has tightened up its lane wanderings and help handle the urban speed humps and roundabouts with less yaw. When you indicate to change lanes and move the steering wheel, the rest of the car now follows, all 5.4-metres of it.
If desert safaris are not your thing, the entry-level Escalade does away with the all-wheel drive and you can get a rear-wheel drive version, but they all have the familiar 6.2-litre V8 that’s backed by a latest-gen, 10-speed automatic transmission, the 2WD model kicks off the range, priced at Dh325,125.
Spacious and improved interior
There’s also an extended wheelbase Escalade ESV that drops in at 5.8-metres long, so gargantuan in size. All three rows of seats offer masses of space for adults, with an extra 40 per cent of legroom in the third row and a full payload of 1,175 litres. Fold the third-row flat, however, and you have 2,665 litres, similar to that of a large pick-up truck, but still with seating for five, and 4,044 litres with both back rows folded. For the regular model, there’s a more reasonable 722 litres of cargo space with all three seats up, which GM says is 68 per cent more than the previous model and 3,427 litres when everything is folded flat.
While the exterior has come in for some refinement with new slimline headlights, it’s the Escalade's completely new interior where you will see the biggest improvements, with a more modern and refined feel. Dominating the dash is a beautifully curved 38-inch sheet of glass that houses three, 4K OLED displays, which Cadillac claims is the biggest fitted to any production car. It uses a mix of touchscreen controls and rotary dials for an intuitive experience that is far easier to learn than some of its European competitors.
Audio powerhouse AKG is a name you'll normally find in recording studios, but they have plunged into lucrative JV operation with a car manufacturer by pairing up with Cadillac, to provide a completely over-the-top 36-speaker sound system. It's impossible to not see at least two or three speakers in your field of view no matter where you look. Dash, door pillars, roof, headrests, boot or doors – there are speakers and multiple subwoofers aplenty.
Naturally, with an SUV of this size, passengers factor heavily into the equation. Second-row occupants enjoy seats just as plush as those in front and the seatbacks can be equipped with entertainment screens. Besides supporting typical media inputs, these screens can share content between screens, broadcast audio to the rest of the cabin, beam directions to the driver's navigation system, and there’s even an intercom for the rear passengers to speak with the driver.
Safety features
Headlining the Cadillac Escalade's safety features is night vision that uses thermal imaging to spot animals or people beyond the headlight's reach. There's also AI navigation that beams street names and directional arrows directly over the view from a forward-facing camera that shows up on the main dash console. It makes it almost impossible to miss a turn, while never having to take your eye off the road and consigns nav maps to the bin.
GM's OnStar feature is also available for some GCC markets, connecting the driver with a live operator the second the car's sensors detect an accident.
It also has the usual surplus of active safety features, including park assist, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision alert and lane keep assist with lane departure warning.
SUV luxury
For the Middle East, Cadillac Escalade will offer a Sport trim for the first time with a black mesh grille and black chrome exterior trim, while Luxury and Premium Luxury models maintain the familiar bright Galvano finish, with the Platinum model adding more of the extra-cost options as standard inside.
When Cadillac introduced the Escalade in 1999, it did it to take on the likes of Mercedes and BMW by delivering an American alternative to SUV luxury. Then Ford's Lincoln joined in and gave it a tough time with the Navigator that, with the current version's distinctive styling, has shown up the ageing Escalade in recent years.
Now GM has retaliated with this 2021 Escalade in what is turning into a heavyweight title fight for prestige supremacy American-style – and the jury is out. As good as the current Navigator is, Escalade has raised the bar in terms of interior comfort and on-board technology and, at nearly six metres long, it is in every sense of the term the ultimate limousine.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16. first leg
Atletico Madrid v Juventus, midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
MATCH INFO
League Cup, last 16
Manchester City v Southampton, Tuesday, 11.45pm (UAE)
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday September 12
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Fulham v Arsenal
Liverpool v Leeds United
Tottenham v Everton
West Brom v Leicester
West Ham v Newcastle
Monday September 14
Brighton v Chelsea
Sheffield United v Wolves
To be rescheduled
Burnley v Manchester United
Manchester City v Aston Villa
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Korean Film Festival 2019 line-up
Innocent Witness, June 26 at 7pm
On Your Wedding Day, June 27 at 7pm
The Great Battle, June 27 at 9pm
The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, June 28 at 4pm
Romang, June 28 at 6pm
Mal Mo E: The Secret Mission, June 28 at 8pm
Underdog, June 29 at 2pm
Nearby Sky, June 29 at 4pm
A Resistance, June 29 at 6pm
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
