
In this particular instance, though, it's not a carbon-fiber color. It's pink, and we aren't talking about paint or a clear coat. Each carbon fiber part is pink, inside and out.
Pink? For Larte, it's not even a question. In fact, it's their new obsession. Before we dive into the look of this Pepto Cadillac and its endless array of tacked-on parts, the carbon itself deserves some attention.
When other companies sell colored carbon fiber parts, it's a clear coat that isn't quite clear. The tint makes it look that color, but in a few years UV damage, stone chips, and the like, will probably let the real resin poke through.
Larte's finish is in the resin. "Directly in the material structure," not a coating, according to the company. Larte says that it has more consistent color, better UV protection, and it can handle extreme heat and cold. So this Escalade is going to look like this for a very, very long time.
This pink Cadillac might not be full-on 1950s retro, but the split two-tone look is still a classic one. The vintage style is still popular enough that dealers are doing it to modern pickups. This, though, is a step beyond any square body Chevy – In cost, finish, and taste.
Not every pink part is carbon. Larte's parts include that new hood with more vents and strakes than a Le Mans grid. It also added the carbon grille surround, which surely cuts entire ounces from the three-ton curb weight of this SUV.
The front bumper and lower splitter don't replace the factory parts, they just go over them. Larte's mirror caps and fender flares keep the pink going around the side so that ties in Larte's parts at the rear.
Those rear bits include big things, like the carbon rear wing and the new diffuser. The diffuser also comes with two extra brake lights, which is a detail Larte adds to most of its kits. We're going to guess other drivers were staring too hard, and it was causing crashes.
Then there are the small elements, like the carbon trim piece under the rear glass. Does it do anything? Well, it does something, even if we're not quite sure what.
The best detail might be the silliest. Tired of scratches on the top of your bumper from loading cargo? Forget about those boring factory rub strips. Larte will sell you one that's pink carbon fiber and totally doesn't look like you found it in the darkest recesses of the parts store accessory aisle.
And then we have the wheels. Larte designs its own. They're forged, and they're finished in pink to match the body. The carbon trim disc on the top is just the cherry on this bright Escalade.
if you like the kit, you don't have to get it in pink. You can get standard carbon or painted for each of the 17 exterior parts. They all go on without drilling, so you can, in theory, reverse it all later. It's the perfect example of awful taste but good execution. The parking sensors, driver assists, and even the trailer hitch are all still present and functional. Larte's carbon weave, at least in the photos, is immaculate.
Would we want it? Not a chance. But if it's up your alley, it's at least well done. And still more tasteful than most everything Mansory has ever done.




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