Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Congratulations
to Oscar-winning director Spike Lee for integrating his abstract shooting
techniques and distinctive film touches with Cadillac, subsequently introducing
the awe-inspiring 2021 Escalade at RED Studios in Hollywood with the premiere
of Anthem. Spike’s short feature exemplifies
the essence, origin, and evolution of the stately Escalade, which has influenced
the lives of proud owners for the past 22 years. The latest generation is as
stunning and advanced as I had anticipated and offers an exciting path for luxury
vehicle travel.
Originally debuting at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance back in 1998, the full-size SUV from Detroit has become a household name and staple of the American Dream from sports moms, dads, and coaches to celebrities and influencers. It is substantially sized for families and entourages looking for room and comfort and features a bevy of innovation that satisfies the soul when out and about on the roads. Moreover, the Escalade’s attractive and alluring signature grille evolves with each model, including the blackened fascia on the current Sport Edition. The contrasting white and black Escalade showed at the unveil was pretty enticing.
“I’m honored to be part of the
next generation of the Escalade, which embodies style, luxury, and prestige
conveyed without pretension,” said Lee.
Similarly, at Red Studios Hollywood, the prestigious crowd of LA’s social elite and national and local media gathered to pay homage to Spike while mingling within a fulfilling and opulent environment in every respect. Savory food choices, chill music, vibrational lighting effects, demo stations to showcase the advanced applications in the Escalade, and two 5th generation Cadillac Escalades on display created an exciting and unforgettable evening.
Guests
were also the first to witness Anthem on
the main stage, which touched on one of the focused attributes of the new
Escalade. The vehicle’s curved OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display
gives off visible light, so it doesn’t require backlight. This means the
technology can showcase deep black and higher contrast levels in low ambient
light, such as when you’re driving at night.The Organic LED’sbroad
color range is phenomenal, and according to Cadillac features, “twice the
pixel density of a 4K television and more than 38 total diagonal inches of
vibrant resolution.” The thin touchscreen extends from the right of the
center stack to the edge of the driver’s door.
The new Escalade is not just well-appointed,
but pretty sophisticated with an array of amenities for suitors. It’s infused
with Augmented Reality Navigation, a Street Vision Camera, Cadillac Super
Cruise, Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, Magnetic Ride Control, Night Vision, dual
12.6” rear entertainment screens, a rear camera mirror, LED exterior lighting,
and much more. Power stems from either the 420-horsepower
6.2-liter V8 or a 3-liter turbo-diesel Duramax
pumping out 460 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic
transmission with electronic shift control is paired to either engine.
Another one of the grand SUV’s attributes is the 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. Engineering authentic sound since 1947, AKG brings professional and Grammy award-winning technology to every seat of the Escalade’s lavish cabin. Standard on the Platinum model, the premium system features Conversation Enhancement, Surround 3D, and 360-degree listening experiences.
“As one of the greatest
storytellers and most creative filmmakers of his time, Spike Lee’s unique
perspective is the perfect conduit for sharing the passion and spirit of the
2021 Escalade,” stated Steve Carlisle, Cadillac president. “It is an icon
reimagined.” Expect to see the all-new 2021 Escalade in dealerships towards the end of this year.
As we all know, Spike changed industry directing narratives with unique storylines from movies like Do the Right Thing, She’s Gotta Have It, 25th Hour, Inside Man, and Malcolm X. And last year, he took home the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay with the intense and emotional BlacKkKlansman. So once again, bravo to the entertainment icon and cinematic trailblazer who regularly changes the way we perceive messaging from behind the lens.
Kimatni D. Rawlins: Pres. & Pub.
KRaw@ARtvLive.comWeb / Facebook / ARtv / Instagram / LinkedIn
