First 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Raises $525,000 for Charity

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The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V VIN #001 brought in over a half million dollars at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas.

More students will have the chance to go into the field of automotive design thanks to the very first 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V. Cadillac’s new performance beast that delivers 682 horsepower and 653 lb.-ft. of torque sold for over a half million dollars at the famed Barrett-Jackson auction in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V VIN #001

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V First Production VIN 001 (Lot #3000), raised $525,000 benefitting the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. Barrett-Jackson VIP Dan Snyder, of Dan Snyder Motorsports, placed the winning $500,000 bid and fellow VIP Michelle Mauzy donated another $25,000 to the cause.

The Escalade-V was introduced by Mike Simons, chief engineer of the Cadillac Escalade. After some spirited bidding, the auctioneers brought the gavel down on the winning bid of $500,000 with 100 percent of the hammer price benefiting the Center for Creative Studies for the launch of the Detroit chapter of the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. The new division of the Center for Creative Studies will be an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) that focuses on career development in the design industry. Longtime friend of Barrett-Jackson Michelle Mauzy donated an additional $25,000 bringing the total raised to $525,000.

School's Founder Added a Unique Auction Incentive

During the auction, Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, the school’s founder and a prominent designer in the athletic footwear industry, announced that he will work with the winning bidder to create a pair of custom sneakers that will be manufactured as a one-of-one run. Dr. Edwards has spent more than thirty years in the footwear industry designing for L.A. Gear, Nike and Jordan. Dr. Edwards is credited with paving the way for young Black design talent to have a career in the sneaker industry. He is hoping to have a similar effect on automotive design. General Motors also donated a unique Ron Fellows Spring Mountain experience along with a beautiful rendering of the vehicle.

The V-series represents the high-performance wing of GM's Cadillac Division, and now the Escalade SUV gets its own V edition. The Escalade-V is powered by a hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that produces 682 horsepower and 653 lbs.-ft. of torque. The SUV is capable of accelerating from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds. The customizable V-Mode allows drivers to personalize settings such as steering response, braking response and even engine sound.

The Escalade-V’s interior features a curved instrument cluster with 38 inches of total diagonal display. The 36-speaker Audio System includes interior microphones to amplify voices for clear communication between the front and rear of the cabin. It will have full-time all-wheel-drive and have exclusive suspension hardware. It will have a ten-speed transmission paired with its hand-built supercharged 6.2-liter V-8.

Other Unique 2023 Cadillac Escalade V Features:

  • Unique V-Series front and rear fascias
  • Exclusive Six-Piston Brembo® front brakes
  • Edge Red brake calipers
  • Unique 22-inch aluminum wheels
  • Selectable V-Mode with driver-customizable performance driving settings, lowered suspension and active exhaust valves that control the throaty V-8 growl
  • V-Series badging on the driver and front passenger doors, liftgate and throughout the interior, including the steering wheel
  • Platinum trim interior featuring Zebra Wood decor with semi-aniline leather on all three rows, and heated/ventilated and massaging front seats

Barrett-Jackson waives its fees for the charity auctions so 100 percent of the sale price will benefit the Center for Creative Studies for the launch of the Detroit chapter of the Pensole Lewis College of Design, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) that focuses on career education and professional development in the design industry.

Cadillac Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.