Cadillac Introduces its GTP Hypercar
The Cadillac brand has been hugely successful in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship racing over the past decade, earning championships and individual race wins for its teams and drivers. When IMSA announced the LMDh era, together with the FIA’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans’ Automobile Club de l’Ouest during the Rolex 24 at Daytona two years ago, Cadillac was amongst the first to commit to the new prototype class.
Now it’s broken cover with pictures of its new Project GTP Hypercar that will debut during the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Cadillac’s imagery is much more clear than the computer-generated images shown earlier in the week by both BMW and Acura. And Cadillac does intend to compete in both the IMSA and WEC series next season, its ambitious goal accented by Cadillac’s global vice president Rory Harvey’s comment, “Cadillac will be competing again on the world racing stage, and we are all thrilled to return to Le Mans after 22 years.”
This is an in-house project that will not use the services of Earnhardt Childress Racing Engines (ECR), as Cadillac has done throughout the DPi era that closes with the Motul Petit Le Mans this October. The GTP Hypercar will be powered an all-new 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 paired to the LMDh common hybrid system and will begin on-track testing this summer, with its first competition next January in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The entire project is co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis-maker Dallara. The Project GTP Hypercar does incorporate key brand design characteristics, including vertical design and floating blades.
Most of all, Cadillac is yearning to win Le Mans, especially with the 100th year celebration in 2023. “Competing for the overall win at Le Mans with an iconic American brand like Cadillac is an honor,” said Laura Wontrop Klauser, GM sports car racing program manager. “The entire team is excited to continue building Cadillac’s racing legacy by competing against the very best internationally, and in the world’s toughest race.”
Cadillac’s achievements in IMSA racing are heavily weighted: Cadillac won the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2017, 2018 and 2021; it captured the Rolex 24 at Daytona in four consecutive years, 2017-2020; Cadillac has earned the Michelin North American Endurance Cup four consecutive years, 2017-2020. Prior to joining IMSA, Cadillac won the Pirelli World Challenge Championship five times (2005, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014), along with five Driver’s championships (2005, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015).