The Project GTP Le Mans Hypercar will have an all-new 5.5-liter V8 under the bonnet, accompanied by the mandatory electric hybrid system.
Cadillac once again tunes its engines to officially hit the world racing stage with a brand-new project called the GTP Le Mans Hypercar. The race car will perform in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Cadillac will return to Le Mans after 20 years of absence, entering along with Ferrari and Peugeot. Since Toyota already dominates the race, and Glickenhaus is very competitive, the 2023 24h Le Mans race might be the most interesting in a while. At least, it will be before the 2024 race starts, where Lamborghini and Alpine will also race with their high-class race cars.
Meanwhile, Cadillac will take on Acura, BMW, and Porsche in the IMSA WeatherTech championship next year. Endurance racing is having a renaissance, and we can’t be happier!
“By competing in both the 2023 IMSA and WEC championships, Cadillac Racing has the opportunity to demonstrate its capability, craftsmanship, and technology,” says Global Cadillac Vice President Rory Harvey.
The Project GTP Le Mans Hypercar is the brainchild of Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing, and Dallara. The race car carries on the brand’s legacy by including a mix of its key elements, such as the vertical lighting and floating blades. Moreover, a slight reference in styling to the brand’s highly successful DPi-V.R prototype is also noticeable.
Cadillac says the Project GTP is a unique convergence of form and function, tasked with carrying on ‘Cadillac’s future performance aesthetic.’ Besides the sharp protrusions on the front and rear ends and the sharply chiseled body that strikes an uncanny resemblance to the classic bat mobile, the best part is that it does come in black!
While Dallara is behind the Project GTP Le Mans Hypercar chassis, just like the BMW M Hybrid V8, information regarding the mechanical details of the racer is very scarce. However, we know the power is derived from an all-new dual-overhead-cam 5.5-liter V8 paired with the common LMDh hybrid system. The engine will produce 630 hp, which is the maximum FIA allows. However, an additional electric motor from Bosch produces a supplementary 67 hp, resulting in a net output limited to 671bhp.
Cadillac will undoubtedly face stiff competition in both IMSA WeatherTech and FIA WEC. Regardless, that would mean better racing, which is something the highest class in endurance racing lacked for a while.
Cadillac will begin official on-track testing this summer, whereas we’ll get to see it perform initially at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2023. The hype behind the release is quite understandable when remarks like “Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honor” comes from a GM racing program manager.
Gallery: Cadillac Project GTP Le Mans Hypercar
