F1’s Sergio Perez gets his own special-edition car
Cadillac’s first season in Formula 1 has led to the luxury car brand launching a Sergio Perez-themed version of its thumping V8 Escalade-V.
Sergio Perez has so far notched up six wins in his Formula 1 career, and now the Mexican driver has been honoured with a limited-edition Cadillac to be sold in his home country.
The Cadillac Escalade-V Checo Perez Edition takes part of its name from the F1 racer’s nickname ‘Checo’, and celebrates the US luxury car brand’s first season in the world’s top motorsport competition.
Paying tribute to Perez’s race number #11, just 11 examples of the Escalade-V Checo Perez Edition will be sold in Mexico, all of which are fitted with a number of cosmetic enhancements.
On the outside, it’s only available with black Escalade and V-Series badges, while the Cadillac logos are also now monochromatic.
Under the bonnet, the supercharged 6.2-litre V8’s engine cover is now made of carbon fibre, not covered in a finish so the lightweight texture can be seen.
Inside, there are bespoke sports pedals and two plaques bearing the serial number of each of the 11 vehicles, seen on the B-pillars and centre console.
Being based on the Escalade-V means that 6.2-litre V8 continues to make 509kW and 885Nm, sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The V8 barks through an exhaust with active valves, while the power and weight of the Escalade is kept under relative control by six-piston Brembo front brakes, adaptive air suspension with magnetic ride control, and an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
“Mexico has always been with me in every race,” Perez said.
“That’s why knowing that this special edition exists to celebrate that history excites me so much. I hope that the customers who own one of these 11 units enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being part of this project, in which I participated from the design stage to the unveiling event for this special edition.”
Priced from MXN$4,099,000 (AU$312,000), it’s far dearer than the ‘standard’ $3,847,500 (AU$292,900) Escalade-V in Mexico, but continues Cadillac’s run of unveiling F1-themed versions of its V-Series models this year.
In May, Cadillac unveiled the CT5-V Blackwing, also powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, but with a six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, as well as other dark and monochromatic themes.
Jordan Mulach
