The Escala concept car previews the design and technical ideas driving the next phase of Cadillac’s ongoing expansion. Escala — Spanish for “scale”— is a concept for a larger, more elite and expressive companion to the recently launched 2016 Cadillac CT6, the brand’s remarkable new range-topping prestige sedan. This is the third in a series of concepts Cadillac has debuted at Pebble Beach in recent years, following the Ciel convertible (2011) and Elmiraj coupe (2013).
Designed to be both a driver’s car and an indulgent flagship, the large four-door sedan features an expansive liftback design emphasising the car’s considerable scale and versatility. At 5346mm in overall length, Escala is roughly 152mm longer than today’s CT6.
The Escala features a newly evolved face of Cadillac design that will begin appearing on production models soon. This includes a new expression of Cadillac’s vertical lighting, a brand signature since 1948. Organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting elements are thinner and set deep within the fascia, creating a sinister look, day and night.
The concept’s details invite closer inspection, including a three-dimensional precision pattern in the grille design and 22-inch wheels with two layers of spokes.
The concept features a “dual personality” interior crafted with distinctly different zones: The front is about intensely focused modern technology, while the rear delivers relaxation.
An array of three curved OLED screens is a prominent feature in the front of the cabin. The very thin, curved displays are layered in front of the driver, with the rear sides wrapped in hand-stitched leather embossed with the Cadillac script. The array of screens consolidate the traditional “cluster” of driving gauges with the “centre stack” into one integrated unit.
The Escala includes new designs for connectivity and control, providing a prototype for the user experience in development for future production models. The system features a central control module that enables the driver to execute tactile commands across the spectrum of connectivity functions, in addition to voice and gesture control technology. Inside the controller sits a new edition of Cadillac’s “flying Goddess” icon, a nod to the brand’s illustrious heritage.
Like all Cadillac models today, the interior is assembled using hand cut-and-sewn techniques. However, the Escala presents several new and unique touches that blend overt luxury with covert technology, making broad use of hand-tailored fabric on the door trim and seating areas. Inspired by suiting material used by Cadillac’s partners in the fashion industry, the fabric provides a new level of hand-applied craftsmanship and colour, unique in today’s auto interior landscape.
The Escala utilises Cadillac’s new RWD-centric large luxury car architecture, featuring one of the world’s most advanced body structures, which debuted on the new CT6. The mixed-material construction enables unprecedented agility and efficiency.
Under the hood is a new 4.2-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, a prototype of a new powertrain in development for future Cadillac models. The advanced engine utilises Active Fuel Management technology, enabling fuel-saving 4-cylinder operation. 
Read about New York City’s Cadillac House.
