Cadillac Introduces $239,000 Escalade-V 125th Anniversary Collector Series
To celebrate its 125th anniversary, Cadillac decided to offer a limited run of a special edition Escalade. Models are decked-out examples of the SUV, with unique touches and the obligatory supercharged V8.
Excessive is the name of the game here. The base Escalade is a $105,595 behemoth and fairly uncommon to see on the road in its most humble guise. Most customers typically option four-wheel drive and a few optional extra, tacking on thousands of dollars. However, the Anniversary Collector Series is based on the Escalade-V — which starts at $172,195 (before fees) and incorporates the supercharged, 6.2-liter V8.
“The Escalade-V 125th Anniversary Collector Series celebrates Cadillac’s heritage and our uncompromising approach to performance luxury,” said Kristian Aquilina, vice president, Global Cadillac. “From its exclusive design to its highly limited availability, this special edition gives collectors a distinctive way to celebrate Cadillac’s legacy while looking ahead to its future.”
General Motors said it will only produce 252 examples of the vehicle. Assembly runs will be divided evenly by the Vibrant White Tricoat or Midnight Stone Frost paint options.
Models will be individually numbered, using a year from Cadillac’s past between 1902 and 2027. Customers will also have the opportunity to select their VIN and serial number, according to the automaker.
We suppose that’ll appeal to the kind of people that like vanity plates. But the rest of us will be more eager to learn that the limited-edition SUVs receive unique forged 24-inch wheels and blue brake calipers to help denote them as special.
There will also be touches of carbon fiber added to the lower rear fascia, grille, side mirrors, and engine cover. The applicable badging comes in an appropriately matching dark finish. Puddle lamps project the heritage V8 logo next to the vehicle. But the automaker didn’t provide an example so we can’t tell you which time period they opted to run with.
Inside, Cadillac has continued with the blue accenting. While the brunt of the upholstery consists of contrasting black and gray, “Santorini Blue” stitching is used throughout. Seatbelts are also blue, nodding to the vehicle’s status as one of the brand's performance focused V-Series models.
Premium floor mats are included and presumably exclusive to the Collector Series cars, as is unique blue the key fob.
Everything else appears to be identical to the standard Escalade-V. That means it comes with the supercharged, 6.2-liter V8 that cranks out 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque. While substantial, this is still a vehicle that weighs 6,352 pounds.
Launches to 60 mph should still be achievable in under 5 seconds. But that’s not really the point on a vehicle like this. One purchases the Escalade-V because they want a sizable vehicle with the maximum amount of luxury. Having effortless passing power is just a bonus.
All-wheel drive comes by default and the MagneRide dampers will help smooth out rough patches of pavement. Seats will be well appointed and adjustable, including a massage function. Screens will be large and offer crystal clear OLED. If there’s something the model doesn’t come with by default, Cadillac will let you option it. This includes console refrigeration and the most excessive sound system one can put inside a vehicle.
However, this still boils down to a $69,000 appearance package for the Cadillac Escalade-V. Customers are getting some unique wheels, upholstery, paint, and trim pieces. But the vehicle is mechanically no different than other offerings from Cadillac. The main reason to pay $239,000 is so you can say you own a limited-run model other people couldn’t afford.
That narrows down the field for who is going to be interested in the 125th Anniversary Collector Series. But that’s also the whole point of General Motors only building 252 units. If you fall into the narrow category of buyers this kind of vehicle is targeting, you can place an order for one right now.
[Images: General Motors]
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Consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulations. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Since adding automotive writing to his repertoire, he has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, discussed the status of the automotive sector on national broadcasts, participated in a few amateur rallying events, and driven more rental cars than anyone should ever have to. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and learned to drive by twelve. Alleged to be contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer and motorcycles.
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These "limited edition" units will be showing up in the 'hood in less than 10 years, suspension chopped, oversized spinners squeezed into the wheel wells, LED ground effect lighting, custom neon green matching interior and paint job all for $200 a week from Bob's Buy Here-Pay Here.
It’s crazy how much more expensive this gets across the border when you factor in local luxury taxes.
In Canada, it STARTS at $325,000 CAD. Plus tax—in B.C. at least—it comes out to $406,250 CAD. That’s because British Columbia hits you with a massive 20% PST sales tax on vehicles costing more than $150,000, plus the 5% federal GST.
That means B.C. buyers are paying $81,250 just in sales tax! Converted to US dollars, that out-the-door price is roughly $290,127 USD—making it a nearly $51,000 premium over the US base MSRP ($239,000 USD).
To put that in perspective, an American buyer registering this in a tax-free state like Montana or Oregon pays exactly $0 in sales tax, walking away with the car for just the $239,000 MSRP. The B.C. sales tax alone could practically buy you a brand new CT4-V on the side.