A 5.5-liter V8 engine with hybrid assistance provides power.
To preview Cadillac’s new endurance racing machine, the Cadillac Project GTP Hypercar will be unveiled. It will compete at the Rolex 24 Daytona in January 2023. It will also be part of next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans grid. This summer, track testing will start.
“By participating in both the 2023 IMSA/WEC championships Cadillac Racing has the chance to demonstrate its capability and craftsmanship,” stated Vice President Global Cadillac Rory Harvey.
Project GTP Hypercar draws inspiration from Cadillac’s roadgoing cars. The most obvious example of this is at the front, where the car’s vertically-oriented headlights cascade down the nose. Modern products are also inspired by the brand’s sharply chiseled panels.
The front and rear fenders of the racer have sharp protrusions that make up its shape. They don’t attach directly to the main body so they can’t be called flying buttresses. The rear deck is divided by a tall fin that attaches to the tall wings.
Cadillac announced that the GTP Hypercar’s appearance “previews” what it will look like when it goes racing. Although aerodynamic testing has been completed in the lab, the car will still need to be tested on the track. Things could change depending on how engineers and drivers experience the circuit.
The Project GTP Hypercar’s chassis will be supplied by Dallara. The Project GTP Hypercar will be powered by a 5.5-liter dual overheadcam V8 and the LMDh Category’s common hybrid system. Other details are not available at the moment.
Motor1.com was asked if this V8 was the one that powers the C8.R racing car. “This is an entirely new engine designed for Cadillac LMDh,” a Cadillac spokesperson said during the GTP presentation.
Cadillac will face a lot of competition in LMDh. Lamborghini teases its entry with sharp styling that recalls the brand’s supercars. Acura also offers a preview of a car featuring huge headlights.
BMW has recently revealed the exterior of its M Hybrid V8 LMDh car. The racer’s mechanical details are unknown beyond the eight-cylinder configuration.
Porsche seems to have its entry in development, as the company is currently evaluating the car on the track. According to reports, the powerplant will be a twin-turbo V8 with the required hybrid tech.
Audi had originally intended to build an LMDh class car. Our Motorsport.com colleagues reported that the company had stopped development of the racer. Motorsport was told by a representative of the brand that the capacities were being used in a different and more sensible manner at the moment.