KansasCity.com's view

Cadillac put two of its future models into clearer focus last week as it publicly revealed the 2002 Escalade and a 2003 luxury roadster.

The unveilings occurred at the posh Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, an ideal place for Cadillac to give us a glimpse of the future.

It’s interesting that both vehicles — a truck-based SUV and a two-seat roadster — reflect how the marketplace has changed. Cadillac, as a luxury brand, can no longer be content with building strictly passenger cars.

2002 Escalade

The 2002 Escalade, slated to go on sale in November, is the second generation of Cadillac’s full-size luxury SUV. It is dominated by chiseled styling that is becoming a Cadillac trademark: The flat grille has wide slats and headlights are stacked vertically. The rest of the body looks to have a lot in common with the GMC Yukon Denali.

Under the skin lies the GMT 800 truck chassis developed initially for the Chevy Silverado. Variations of this excellent chassis now sit under the Yukon, Tahoe and Suburban, and it is an ideal platform from which to develop a luxury SUV because it has a strong frame, powerful brakes and a muscular V8 engine.

Cadillac said Escalade will be available in two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD model gets a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 that cranks out an impressive 345 horsepower. The 2WD version will use a 5.3-liter Vortec that has 285 horsepower. The Vortec family of V8s are smooth, gutsy and capable of prodigious power, so the Escalade should not lack for zip even considering its over-2-ton weight.

The AWD model will be offered with StabiliTrak, a vehicle stability program that helps counteract skidding. Along with StabiliTrak, the AWD models will have a computer-controlled, road-sensing suspension that should provide high levels of comfort as well as vehicle control. Other standard features include rear parking sensors, side-impact airbags, OnStar, heated front and second-row seats and an 11-speaker Bose audio system.

A 50/50 third seat enables seating for eight, but it can also be folded down or removed.

Of course, leather upholstery is used throughout.

Two-seat roadster

According to Cadillac’s press release, the low-volume, luxury roadster will be built on “the next generation of GM’s performance car architecture, which is specifically designed for convertible applications. The vehicle features advanced steel hydroforming, an aluminum cockpit structure and cored composite floors.”

Think of it as a luxury sports car with Corvette roots and you get the picture. The vehicle line executive is Dave Hill, formerly the lead engineer on the latest version of the Corvette.

Power will come from the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission mounted back with the rear axle. This is the first time the Northstar engine will be used in a rear-wheel-drive car. Other pieces of the Northstar system, including the MagneRide active suspen sion, StabiliTrak vehicle stability control system, Night Vision and Michelin’s PAX run-flat tires will also be available. Production will take place on a dedicated assembly line at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Ky.

The styling is a much milder version of that seen on the Evoq concept car which debuted in January 1999. The production car will have a fully automatic, folding hard top and instrumentation designed by Bvlgari, a renowned Italian jeweler.

Price is expected to be competitive with luxury two-seaters such as the Mercedes-Benz SL 500, Jaguar XK8 and the upcoming Lexus SC 430.

@otx8:There is no At A Glance box because this is not a test drive of a production vehicle.