If you can’t wait to get your hands on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V, you’d better listen up as the first production model is going up for grabs on July 1st. The VIN 001 Escalade-V will be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and 100% of the hammer price will benefit the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, which is Michigan’s only historically black college or university. It was reestablished in 2021 under the leadership of prominent footwear designer Dr. D’Wayne Edwards and, as an added bonus, the winning bidder will have the opportunity to sit down with him and design a pair of custom sneakers that will be manufactured as a one-of-one run.
Of course, most bidders will likely be
more interested in the Escalade-V which is billed as the “industry’s most
powerful full-size SUV.” It features a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that
produces 682 hp and 884 Nm of torque. The engine
is connected to a ten-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive
system, which enables the model to accelerate from 0-96 km/h in less
than 4.4 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 12.74 seconds at 177
km/h.
Besides the almighty engine, the
Escalade-V features aggressive bumpers, a mesh grille, and a four-tailpipe
exhaust system. They’re joined by 22-inch aluminum wheels that are backed up by
a high-performance braking system with Edge Red calipers. The SUV also boasts a
sport-tuned air ride adaptive suspension, an electronic limited-slip
differential, and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0.
Moving into the cabin, drivers will find
semi-aniline leather seats, Zebra wood trim, and a curved OLED screen with a
total display area of 38 inches. There are also plenty of V-Series accents and
a 36-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system. There’s no auction estimate for
the first production Cadillac Escalade-V, but the model starts at US$ 149,990.
